He knows every play in the book. But she’s calling the shots. “An epic story of the one that got away—Maddox will totally surprise readers in a lovely, lovely way.”—Sawyer Bennett I’m Maddox Ledger, all-star winger and the reason the Charlotte Strikers killed it in the playoffs. Yeah, the tabloids like to call me arrogant. A real hothead. All I see is a guy who plays to win. Wreaking havoc on the … plays to win. Wreaking havoc on the ice, breaking a few hearts—that’s all just part of the game. And I’m sure as hell not sitting on the bench.
When my teammate asks me to be in his wedding party, I can’t refuse. Lucky for me, the bridesmaid I’m paired with is the definition of eye candy, but she’s so much more than that. Lacey Easton is totally irresistible and she makes me want to be a better man. A glimpse of bare shoulder takes me back to a steamy, two-week Vegas tryst I can’t forget. One I’m eager to repeat.
Suddenly our one-night stand is turning into the sequel. Still, Lacey’s keeping secrets. She doesn’t trust me. And maybe I deserve it. But I know more than she thinks I do and there’s no chance I’m letting her get away—or letting another guy take what is mine. This time, I’m playing for keeps.
Praise for Playmaker
“This is a second-chance romance mixed with sexiness and sweetness. The characters are genuine and the story endearing.”—Cocktails and Books
“Playmaker is entertaining, sexy, and fun. L.P. Dover brought together a really good plot, strong characters, heat, humor, conflict, family, and friendships. Ms. Dover continues to build on a great cast of characters in the players, their families, and their friends.”—Harlequin Junkie
“I love when I get completely lost in a book, and I definitely got lost in Maddox and Lacey’s story.”—Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews (five stars)
“Nonstop action, plenty of romance, lots of drama, and a hint of intrigue to sweep you off your feet.”—Kristen’s Book Jungle
“[Playmaker] fit well into the Breakaway series, but can be read as a standalone.”—OMG Reads
Don’t miss any of New York Times bestselling author L. P. Dover’s red-hot Breakaway novels:
HARD STICK | BLOCKED | PLAYMAKER
Or these heartwarming Second Chances romances:
CATCHING SUMMER | DEFENDING HAYDEN | INTENDED FOR BRISTOL
This ebook includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
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‘Playmaker’ is the third book of the L.P. Dover’s ‘Breakaway’ series. ‘Break Away’ series are the only books I read from L.P. Dover but I really like her writing style, so I’ll definitely be checking out more of her work. When I finished second book of the series, ‘Blocked‘, I was dying to find out what happened between Maddox and Lacey what can I say I got lucky because next book was theirs
Our hero and heroine for ‘Playmaker’ is Maddox Ledger and Lacey Paige Easton. If you already read the previous book ‘Blocked‘, you already know who are they but I will rewind back a bit for you, so if you didn’t read the second book, you will at least have an idea who is who It might get confusing so bear with me LOL! Maddox is all-star winger of Charlotte Strikers, who is Callie’s cousin (Heroine of Blocked) and Dallas’s teammate (Hero of Blocked). Lacey is Dallas’s sister, who is doing her residency in New York. They are both in the wedding party for Callie and Dallas’s wedding, but this is not how Maddox and Lacey meets. Two years ago they met in Las Vegas and spend two weeks together. They both fall in love but Lacey decides that leaving Maddox before he leaves her is the best way to protect her heart so she sneaks out while he was sleeping and they don’t see or have any contact with each other for over a year until they run into each other in Callie’s house. Since Lacey is doing her residency in New York it is easy for her to avoid Maddox but with the wedding, it gets impossible to avoid him anymore. Since waking up in the hotel room all alone Maddox is struggling to find an answer to what he did to make Lacey leave. He does a lot of things he regrets just to get a reaction from Lacey but that never happens. Since they keep getting thrown together because of the wedding, Maddox decides it is time to get some answers from Lacey.
My view about Maddox has evolved since the first book. First book I hated him, second book it turned to liking him and with the third book I love him. It sounds weird I know but the way Maddox portray himself is an arrogant and selfish asshole which automatically puts him the hate list However, ‘Playmaker’ will show you the really Maddox that you never get a chance to see before. He is protective, caring, sweet and tenacious. I loved how he didn’t give up on Lacey and keep fighting for her even though she kept pushing him away. I kind of get why Lacey pushed him away but it was still heartbreaking to see how Maddox kept thinking he wasn’t enough and keep fighting for a chance to prove himself.
I am having a really hard time not to spoil the story and write a review that will do justice to the book so all I can say ‘Playmaker’ is everything you want in a romance; sexy, sweet, and amazingly perfect! Maddox and Lacey’s story is a complicated one combine it with their great chemistry and banter and you get this great second chance romance. Each book can be read as a stand-alone, but I totally recommend you to read the whole series. I am still hoping more book of the series will come. At least two more PLEASE! Because I am really curious about Sophia and Braeden and Justin and week 4
Would I recommend this book: Yes
Would I re-read this book: Already did
Would I read future books by this author: Yes
This story was sweet and heartbreaking and frustrating and infuriating all at once. Multiple times I wanted smack Lacey for her selfish hard-headed ways and then I wanted to smack Maddox for his stupidity! There were a lot of emotions rolling around here. And that’s the thrill of the emotional rollercoaster that I love!
4 stars.
Absolutely love this book. Maddox & Lacey I absolutely loved. Lacey kinda drove me insane with her insecurities where Maddox was concerned because he was so sweet and would do anything to be with his wife. Maddox is the bad boy but meeting Lacey made him a better man. Every character I love and can’t get enough of and I’m hoping there will be more in this series. Once you start reading you will not want to stop. I was hooked from the start. Another amazing read that everyone must read.
This is the third book in the Breakers series, and just for the sake of returning characters and mentions of previous happenings, I would say to read the previous books before diving into this one. When Lacey and Maddox ran into each other at the party in Dallas and Callie’s book, we knew they had known each other before that, we just didn’t know how well. Now, we finally get their story. Maddox let Lacey walk away before, he won’t make that mistake again.
So, the blurb is a bit ambiguous, meaning you will not get much from me. I will say that I did really enjoy the story of Maddox and Lacey. Drama, a few funny bits, really good naughty moments, and a cast of characters that bring the story together. There were a few plot issues, but nothing major. I give this 4 stars.
Maddox Ledger has had to work hard to achieve his goals in life, but no matter how hard he works, it never seems to be enough to impress his father. While on a trip to Las Vegas, he meets a gorgeous woman that is able to make him forget about his life’s troubles and feel care free. But the magic disappears when she leaves without so much as a goodbye, leaving him heartbroken.
Years later while attending a friends wedding, he runs into someone that reminds him of his time in Vegas. The similarities between the two women are hard to deny, and he soon learns that she is the same girl that he fell for years ago. But will Lacey Easton remember their steamy hookup as well?
The more time that Maddox spends with Lacey, the more he wants to become a better man for her. Soon the feelings that they felt for each other so long ago bubble to the surface and have them burning with desire. Maddox let Lacey get away once before, but he isn’t willing to let the same mistake happen again.
(I received an ARC of Playmaker from L.P. Dover in exchange for my honest review.)
Maddox and Lacey’s story is one of true love and second chances. They both have secrets to hide, but are both willing to put their differences aside and have the opportunity for a real relationship. Drama threatens to tear them apart many times throughout the story, but they always find a way back into each other’s arms.
Paige aka Lacey and Maddox!
This was quite a whirlwind. Maddox and Paige meet in Las Vegas a crazy romance develops and soon they are in front of Elvis getting hitched. In the morning Paige realizes that Maddox is a player and will probably never change so she makes the first move and leaves without a trace. Maddox is furious , no explanation but he doesn’t have her real name after some investigating he soon discovers more than he bargained for but it also keeps him from approaching her . Once he crosses paths with her again at a friends wedding and finds out the reasons behind her getaway it makes this player more adamant about winning back that gal that stole his heart !
Such a great story with Lacey and Maddox!
If you have been reading L.P. Dover’s Breakaway series, then I am sure that you wanted, more like NEEDED, Playmaker, the third book in her Breakaway series!! When I saw that we were getting Maddox Ledger’s story, I knew that I would do anything to have this book! L.P. Dover did not disappoint at all!!
We met Maddox & Lacey in Blocked (Breakaway #2). It was left on a bit of a cliffhanger for us. Let me tell you, their story in Playmaker was fantastic! What stays in Vegas does not always stay in Vegas…
“She’s my wife and I want her back.”
~ L.P. Dover, Playmaker (Breakaway #3)
This may be my favorite book in the Breakaway series. L.P. Dover’s writing in the book completely drew me in with the Prologue and had me rooting for Maddox throughout the rest of the book.
Maddox and “Paige” got married in Las Vegas a little over two years ago. Maddox woke up and “Paige” was gone. Fast forward… Paige comes back into his life only this time her name is Lacey and she is the younger sister to one of Maddox’s hockey team members (the Charlotte Strikers). The problem, Lacey is scared to be married to Maddox…. That is all I am going to say. You have to read Playmaker to find out why. You would hate me for spoiling it for you.
“We’re going to figure this out whether you want to or not.”
~ L.P. Dover, Playmaker (Breakaway #3)
Maddox fights for Lacey and is determined to show her why they are meant to be.
I think that I should declare Maddox as mine right now!! The way that he continued to fight for Lacey was perfect!
“If Lacey thought I was going to give her space, she’d lost her f*cking mind. I wasn’t about to give up on her.”
~ L.P. Dover, Playmaker (Breakaway #3)
If you have not read L.P. Dover’s Breakaway series, I would highly recommend you add this to your TBR list. You will thank me!! I had not read her books prior to this series. I am so glad that I too the chance on her work. I look forward to more of her books within this series!! Please L.P. Dover, write more in this series!! I am so not done with your Charlotte Striker boys!
#Sunshine #TakeYourTime #TheCharlotteStrikers #Landscape #Carpentry #IveOnlyEverLovedYou #March23 #TheSecretGarden #LedgerLandscapeAndDesign
Playmaker by L.P. Dover is the third standalone romance in her Breakaway hockey series. While each book stands alone with different characters and their own HEA, the timeline is sequential and would be better enjoyed reading order, but it isn’t necessary.
Playmaker is told in dual POV between Maddox, cousin to Callie and sister to Dallas, both of whom we met in the last book, Blocked.
What we didn’t know much about was the history that these two characters already have between them. Over two years ago they met in Vegas, spent a wonderful week or so together, got married and then the next day she split, taking the rings, the marriage license and even her real name with her. I spent a lot of time slightly aggravated with Lacey. This is often the trouble with dual POV books, we know how genuine the Hero is being but the heroine may not have a clue. I believe this was the case here.
Maddox was heartbroken and hasn’t moved on, despite what he allowed the tabloids to think. Thanks to his money and a really good PI he found his wife but left her alone to finish medical school. Without a definitive plan for the future he finds himself out of town when Lacey shows up in North Carolina and turns out to be Dallas’ sister.She isn’t ready to trust him, thanks to the misleading tabloid photos and he is ready to give up on everything.
An emotional journey dealing with feelings of betrayal and resentment that works through them and eventually finds love and forgiveness. Well-written and well-paced. Can’t wait for more – Maybe Justin’s book next? Enjoy!
This 5 star story took me by surprise, that I had no choice but to read it in one sitting. It was highly entertaining and full of drama. There was just the right amount for me to like this story and the wonderful characters that were perfectly created.
It is part of a series but I didn’t feel liked I missed any information in order to enjoy this story. It does have an amazing HEA. Told in a dual POV. I highly recommend this story.
Lacey Easton ran when she realized there was no way her impulsive marriage would work. Logistics, medical school and his reputation kept her away from him.
Maddox Ledger was stunned to find himself alone the next morning but not as much as when he found who she really was. Now that he knows where she is, nothing will stop him from claiming his wife.
The story’s introduction was captivating and hooked me from the get-go. I was intrigued by how it all unfolded and very happy with the ending. I feel the descriptiveness of it all was complete and allowed for me to picture it as it was unfolding.
I liked how real the heroine’s feelings were portrayed. I loved how devoted the hero was to her and willing to do anything to make it work. They were the best possible fit for each other.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author but I will definitely be reading more. I would highly recommend this book to a friend.
I love when I get completely lost in a book, and I definitely got lost in Maddox and Lacey’s story.
Lacey and Maddox were only supposed to be a part of a wedding party, but that turned into much, much more. Fast forward years later, and the feelings on both sides are still there. Now, that they are thrown together for another wedding, Lacey’s brother and Maddox’s cousin, they will have to confront their past and deal with it.
I liked both characters. Each had their own faults and issues that impacted their relationship. At first, I was frustrated that Lacey left Maddox without giving him a chance. However, knowing his reputation with the ladies, I could understand her trust issues with him. He has always felt like he was ever good enough, and this caused some missteps in his relationship with her. Luckily, Maddox doesn’t give up. He is a man who knows what he wants, and he wants Lacey. He stops at nothing to show her he is worthy of her love even working hard to improve his relationship with her brother, who doesn’t know about their relationship. How could I not love him? Lacey is great at being Maddox’s biggest supporter, and she can reach him when know one else can. It is a bumpy road for them, but I thoroughly enjoyed watching these two get to know one another and fall even deeper in love with one another.
One of my favorite aspects of this book was that it was a relationship that started backwards. That made it a book I will remember! It is also one in which the characters are different people by the end of the book. Not only did Maddox and Lacey have their relationship issues to work through, but they also had personal issues to work through before they could find their happily ever after. I hated telling them good-bye, but I know they will be back. I will be waiting to catch up with all the guys and the women who love them!
***Read and Reviewed for Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews***
I have been dying to read Maddox’s story since the end of Blocked!!
There were so many surprises with Lacey and Maddox’s story and those ups and downs kept me glued to my kindle all day long. I admit, I was a bit like Lacey: I totally thought I knew who Maddox was but I couldn’t have been more wrong about him. I wish Lacey had figured out what I did a little earlier: Maddox is an amazing guy and she needs to lock him down, like ASAP!!
I definitely thought that Maddox and Lacey had tremendous chemistry but there were times that I thought that he could do better than her. Those feelings turned around about half way through the book. I was disappointed in how Braedan acted since he’s supposed to be Lacey’s best friend but this just made me want his book that much more so I can finally see what was going on in his head!
5 PLAYMAKER STARS!! Loved this book and this series continues to get better. This story has a hot sexy bad boy, hockey players, sexy times and a whole lot more. Maddox and Lacey were fun to watch there story play out and perfect characters. These two have a story to tell you. L.P. Dover is one of my favorite authors and she always gives me five star reads. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
4 1/2 stars!!
Another great read in the Breakaway series by LP Dover! I have been looking forward to Maddox and Lacey’s story and it definitely did not disappoint! I love hockey and I love second chance romances so this is a win-win for me! This is a sweet story with a likable hero and heroine and great supporting characters too!
Although not without struggles to get to their eventual HEA, they clearly loved each other when they married in Vegas two years prior and seeing each other and spending time with each other again and learning to trust, proves to them that their love has not gone anywhere.
I absolutely loved this book! Playmaker is the third book in the Breakaway Series from this author but it can easily be read standalone. You will love the writing and characters in each of these books. We met Paige aka Lacey, and Maddox in the previous book and now we get their story!
This is a great second chance story that proves that what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas. There will be times when you want to head slap each of these characters but you can’t help but want to see them find their happy.
I highly recommend this one.
3.5 stars–PLAYMAKER is the third instalment in L.P. Dover’s contemporary, adult BREAKAWAY erotic, hockey romance series focusing on the men and women of the professional hockey team the Charlotte Strikers. This is left winger Maddox Ledger, and twenty seven year old physician Lacey Easton’s story line. PLAYMAKER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Lacey is Dallas Easton’s sister, and Maddox is Callie Davis’ cousin (Blocked #2).
Told from dual first person points of view (Lacey and Maddox) PLAYMAKER follows the acrimonious second chance relationship between physician/intern Lacey Easton, and the Charlotte Strikers resident left winger and bad boy Maddox Ledger. Two years earlier, while on vacation in Vegas during spring break, Lacey aka Paige and Maddox spent two wild weeks together that culminated in a Vegas wedding only to have our heroine disappear the next morning with no forwarding address or personal information. All Maddox knew was that his new wife’s name was Paige but had no idea her connection to the team or the man who despised his very existence. Hiring a detective Maddox goes in search of his wayward wife only to come face to face, not once but twice, wherein our heroine refuses to acknowledge his existence or their prior relationship. What ensues is the rekindling romance between Lacey and Maddox, and the potential fall-out as Lacey struggles to trust a man she considers nothing more than manwh*re, and the threat of other suitors who have no idea that Lacey and Maddox have tied the knot.
Lacey and Maddox’s marriage must be kept on the down-low as Lacey’s brother and fellow Charlotte Striker’s teammate Dallas Easton despises the very ground upon which our hero walks. Lacey has known all along the who and what of Maddox Ledger but our hero had no idea about the woman to whom he married or her connections to the Charlotte Strikers. Maddox’s reputation as a womanizer continues to dog our hero in the face of his changed ways and newfound love but keeping their marriage a secret is far more difficult than they could have imagined.
The relationship between Lacey and Maddox is one of mutual attraction, mutual disdain, and mutual love that requires our couple to remain hidden from view and the professional paparazzi. Lacey fears her brother’s wrath when her relationship with Maddox is exposed but Maddox is desperate to claim Lacey for the world to see. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense.
There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including most of the Charlotte Strikers players: Kellan and Kristen (Hard Stick #1), Callie and Dallas (Blocked #2), Justin and his ‘reality TV ‘ fiancé Miranda: Miranda’s friend Laura; Lacey’s best friend and Strikers player Braeden Wallace; Callie’s friend Hannah Martin; and Lacey’s co-worker Sophia. I am hoping for Sophia and Braeden’s story next.
The world building focuses on the team’s battle for the Stanley Cup; the friendship, camaraderie, and conflicts between teammates and family, as well as the Lacey’s earlier need to pull Maddox along for the ride.
PLAYMAKER is a bit of a frustrating read in the face of our heroine’s attitude and two year disappearance. Her flight from Vegas and subsequent refusal to acknowledge their marriage forces Maddox to remain on the side lines while those around him fell in love. For a smart woman Lacey is oblivious to her best-friends advances and attempts for something more; and her treatment of Maddox Ledger is questionable on so many levels. The premise is entertaining; the characters are colorful and charismatic although the heroine is exasperating for most of the story; the romance is provocative but struggles in the face of Lacey’s inability to trust, and her need to control our story line hero –a similarity she has in common with the previous story line heroine. Saying that, if I am unable to get past the main characters’ negative qualities, I have a difficult time with my enjoyment of the overall premise.
During a trip to Vegas, Maddox and Lacey meet, fall in love, and get married. The next morning Lacey leaves without explanation. Two years later they see each other again but both act as though they don’t recognize the other. When Maddox has finally had enough and the circumstance arrives for the perfect opportunity, he confronts her. What follows is a bit confusing as to motivation on both their parts, some push and pull and a lot of introspection to explain both their reasons for their actions.
Maddox spent two years being photographed with other women in order to make Lacey jealous so she would come back to him and confront him. She knew how hockey players were basically man whores and knew he would eventually cheat on her so she left him first in Vegas. It all felt a bit disjointed and unrealistic.
However, the second part of the book picked up as they struggle to make things work. They refuse to tell her brother although just about everyone around them except him knows they are married. There’s some drama with another woman that wouldn’t take no for an answer and additional drama with Lacey’s best friend who is a man and Maddox’s teammate.
This book just didn’t work for me. I had a hard time accepting the periods of separation between them. It just felt like a lot of immature game playing in the relationship and they were too old to be acting like that. The secondary characters were nice but not enough to carry the story.
However, I’m a believer that even if something doesn’t work for me, it might be the perfect read for someone else.
If you like hockey and second chance romance, this definitely has that.
This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by NetGalley and Loveswept
Dual POV
Safe – neither H/h sleep with anyone after they’re with each other; ow/om drama
No apparent triggers
This has been an enjoyable series but I will admit Playmaker has been my favorite so far, I really love a good second-chance story and that is what we have here and we also have a love triangle which makes things very interesting.
Lacey and Maddox had met several years earlier and spent two weeks together in Las Vegas where they were married, only no one knows because the morning after they were married Lacey took off. You would think that it would be easy for Maddox to find her, if he looked, but here’s the thing she used her middle name, Paige, so he didn’t know that he was looking for the wrong person. A chance meeting that occurs in Blocked reveals that not only is her name really Lacey but she is also the younger sister of his playmate and rival Dallas Easton…talk about making things complicated.
Playmaker is a great story if you love second chances, love triangles, or even sports romances. I recommend reading the entire series in order, although, you can read this as a standalone. L.P. Dover does a wonderful job with writing a story that will pull you in on page one and she will make you fall in love with Maddox, seriously this bad a$$ hockey player that has a playboy bad boy persona really is not what he seems at all and once you find out the little secret hes hiding you’ll fall even harder. Maddox is definitely book boyfriend material.
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book**
When I decided to read Playmaker by LP Dover, I didn’t actually realize that this is the 3rd in a series. It’s part of the Breakaway series, which is about the Charlotte Strickers, a team that’s high on the NHL. So, while this is a standalone, there is a lot of chatter from the previous two books, that had me scratching my head as I didn’t know who or what it was about. This was kinda confusing for me and put me off a little bit.
Don’t get me wrong. It was a good story, and had I read the previous books, one I no doubt would have enjoyed it even more.
If you’re a fan of hockey romances and 2nd chances then you’ll like this. If you’re a fan of the Breakaway series, you’ll love it.
Maddox Ledger met the girl all men dream of finding, had an amazing time with her in Vegas, and then Poof! she was gone and it hurt a little more than he cared to admit. When she left she took a little part of him and he has yet been able to fully move on, she just completely vanished from his life without so much as a goodbye and he just doesn’t understand why… he thought he had finally found something good in his life. But he’s about to have the opportunity to ask her that question, because they just so happen to be attending the same wedding and he isn’t about to let her getaway this time without a goodbye… and maybe a little more!
The moment Lacey met Maddox she knew he was trouble, but she just couldn’t help herself and she had to know more about hockey’s biggest badboy. One look at him and she is completely weak in the knees, and doing things completely out of character, and it scared the crap out of her, especially for someone to have that much power over her… so she runs. She knows leaving him in their shared hotel room without so much as a goodbye is wrong on so many levels, but she isn’t about to be the on the receiving end of a hurtful goodbye, so she will just be the one to end things first. But unfortunately for her it hurts just as much, and the months following don’t seem to ease the ache in her heart, if only she had a chance to make it right…
Between the pages of this wonderfully crafted tale you will find two people who are scared to admit to themselves that they belong with one another, their chance meeting in Las Vegas brings about a sneaky little affair that gives them both far more than they bargained for… and it leaves them both a little unsettled. Neither of them were looking for love, more so just a fun night or two between the sheets, but they found it in that hotel room, and then in a blink of an eye it was gone, lucky for them fate is willing to give them a second shot at capturing it all over again. Playmaker was such a enjoyable read, it had a sexy hockey star willing to lay his heart on the line to swoon over, a ballsy heroine who pushes his buttons and puts him through the ringer a time or two to root for, and a steamy little love affair that spawned some seriously hot scenes that had my tablet overheating!! I have to say this one is definitely one of my favorites from this author, it was a well rounded emotionally rich read that left my heart overflowing, and put a unshakable smile on my face!! Highly recommend this one!!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title