Easton: Hockey isn’t forever. The money, excitement, and glory of being a professional hockey player meant more to me than a family, a home, and a forever. Another man has my forever, and I have hockey. I thought making the big bucks and playing against the best in the world would feel better than this. Instead I’m empty and hollow, like a big piece of my heart was hacked off. There’s something … There’s something missing. Something big. Something I can never get back.
Caroline:
I loved him, but he wasn’t the love of my life.
My husband died too young, too suddenly, too tragically. I was unprepared with no education, no job skills, and no future plans. When a DNA test reveals my twins’ true parentage, I have no choice but to do the right thing. I turn to the one man who’d turned his back on me all those years ago.
I’d been shutout from his life, and I’d shut him out from mine. Can two strangers make a family? Do we have what it takes to forgive and move on?
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This is the 1st in a new series from this author and is Easton and Caroline’s story. After her husband passes away Caroline find out through DNA testing that her twins are not his, and she goes to find professional hockey player Easton to inform him of the news. This is a well written story which had me intrigued and hooked throughout this addictive page turner. I look forward to reading more in this series.
Love isn’t something you can plan.
This the first book I’ve read by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Caroline and Easton’s journey was filled with ups and downs, but it was a fabulous ride. The way they had to come together and forgive one another was beautiful to see. Hailey and Heath stole my heart from the very beginning.
Easton & Caroline have a quick relationship one summer when they were young. Shortly after they break up, she goes back to her ex & gets pregnant, then they get married. Quite a few years after that, her husband dies. Her in laws are interested in doing a DNA test on her twins since the kids could have more relatives they could meet, & this is when Caroline finds out that her kids are really Easton’s kids, & not her now deceased husband’s kids.
-My kids were enamored by him, & I was conflicted. I didn’t want to like him, yet I did. I didn’t want to be attracted to him, yet I was. I didn’t want to love him, yet it might be too late.
They end up getting close, & Easton does side with her on when to tell the kids that he is their bio dad, but despite this, he sometimes seems immature (even at the end he was annoying, with continuing major decisions without consulting her).
This was a nice HEA story.
Love her books!
This story was a bit sad for me. I did not like the way the widowed mother of the twins treated their biological father. Happily, however, things did work out in the end.
Great read!
Stupid woman! Otherwise good.
This was a good read. I like the relationship between Easton and Caroline. Easton took fatherhood quickly. I did not like the way the Christmas event happened with Fran. Fran was hurt because she didn’t talk to the grandchildren, but she pushed Caroline to start a new life. I think the book should have ended with Easton’s family and the Mills together showing unity.
Starts off ok but did not keep. Me interested.
I wasn’t a big fan of Caroline but she finally came to her senses in the end, a really good book.
Enjoyable read.
Easton and Caroline were teenagers when they knew each other and were together. Each had their own goals but Caro’s heart was broken when Easton went away to play hockey. Being so young Easton felt they both had their futures ahead of them and didn’t feel they should be tied down. So Caro ended up marrying Mark and having twins and six years later Mark died. Her MIL thinks she should do a DNA test to see if there are any other family members since Mark was adopted and she finds out Mark was not the kids dad but Easton was.
So she finds Easton who is now a rookie playing professional hockey in Seattle and has to tell him. This story is emotional and shows how each handles the “news”.
4 stars
It was interesting in that from the first time Easton found out he was the biological father of the twins…he wanted to be a father. He was a very strong character and had to step back a few times to give Caro time to figure things out as she was wary and also wanted to do what was right for the children. Some stressful situations with her first husband’s parents when Caro forgot to call them on Christmas Day. His mom was hurtful, but you could feel her pain…and the children. But time heals and Easton is patient. Very well written.
I enjoyed the journey that Easton takes not only establishing a relationship with the twins he didn’t know about but the one with Carol as well. A lot of heartbreak has occurred for Carol and her kids and this new journey is going to have some bumps in the road. Not only that but the anger and feeling of betrayal that Easton is going to have to overcome.
This was a good start to a new cast of rookies and I look forward to more. I can never pass up a Jami Davenport book so I am eager to see what is next!!
I love a good hockey romance! This book had my favorite things a book can have….single mom, adorable kids and a hunky hockey player. I liked this book dont get me wrong, I felt myself getting a little bored and frustrated with Caroline. It was one step forward and then backwards for most of the book. Overall I would still give it three stars. I did pretty much read it all in one sitting so it did hold my attention.
Was given an arc for an honest review
Can not wait to start reading the rest of the series.
The Puck Brothers
Shutout is a new series by Jami about the Puck Brothers. I really enjoyed this story due to catching up with some old favourites like Ice and Coop I also liked the storyline as it was one of those that is certain to cause drama in anyone’s lifeI loved Easton’s character but I have to admit I struggled with Caro a bit.
I understand her in the sense that as a mother you want the best for your child but after the kids lose their “dad”, she seems to just perpetuate the situation by holding off on telling them about their biological dad, Easton Thank goodness for Janie as a support character and her wisdom I’m looking forward to the next Puck Brother that becomes unraveled by love
This was an awesome book and I loved reading about the trials of training camp and working your way onto the team. Easton is at loose ends when he feels like he should have it all because he made it to an NHL team! He knows something is missing. In walks past love, Caroline with some shocking news. Caroline is recently widowed and is left raising her twins. Because her deceased husband was adopted she decided to have a DNA test done on the twins for medical reasons….the twins are Easton’s!
I really loved the book but I as not a big fan of Caro most of the time. She was kind of wishy washy and “flighty” in my opinion. Easton was a bit overbearing but that shouldn’t be surprising because of the circumstances and he didn’t know about his kids. Overall it was a really awesome read and what we have come to expect from Jami!
I was offered an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
If you love a good romance with hot hockey players then this book is right up your alley. The first book in what is sure to be a must read series did not disappoint. Easton and Caroline were once an item but what happens when they reconnect years later? A sweet story that will have you filled with all sorts of emotions as the past and present collide. Cannot wait for more stories with all of these terrific characters.
Caroline Jones Mills is a recent single mom after the death of her husband, Mark. Her six year old twins Heath and Hailey are struggling with the loss and Caroline is doing what she can to keep it together. When Mark’s mom reveals that Mark was adopted they do a DNA test to only reveal a shocking discovery about the twins.
Easton Black is a rookie hockey player for the Seattle Sockeye’s and has finally made it to the big leagues. He is focused on hockey after letting the girl of his dreams go years ago and when he realized that she had moved on he put to rest his own dreams.
When Caroline calls Easton to meet with her, he is shocked with her news but wants a chance to get to know the kids he never knew existed. Yet Caroline isn’t too sure what she wants and wants to protect her kids at all costs. Will Caroline give Easton the chance that he deserves or will her need to control everything jeopardize any chance Easton has with the kids?
This was such a great book with some wonderful twists that left me heartbroken at times and happy at other times. Then to be honest I was swearing quite a bit at the main character Caroline as she was frustrating me so much!
Caroline’s life flipped upside down with the death of Mark and she did the right thing by contacting Easton but she really wanted to be in control of everything that happened. As a mom I could understand that but at the same time she invited Easton into their lives but really still wanted to keep at a distance as she was almost jealous of the relationship he could potentially have with his own kids. That part started making me angry a little as he had already missed so much time with them and he was missing more and more with the way Caroline was behaving.
I thought Easton was actually an amazing guy as he did what he needed to do in order to get the kids to Seattle and then he respected Caroline’s wishes, even though it began to get a little ridiculous. I thought his Christmas gifts were great even though Caroline was so mad but I do think he maybe should have checked before hand, especially with Mona. But that being said, he was really trying hard and Caroline was giving him nothing to go on.
I loved how much Easton grew up in this book and knew what his priorities were although he was confused over what he could do as per Caroline’s wishes. I knew why he felt like he needed to say something before the kids found out accidently. I also really liked that Easton sought advice from some of the older players and fathers on the team which made them bond more.
I loved Junie, Caroline’s best friend, and how she also made Caroline think about things differently and really made an impact on Caroline at the right times.
My heart broke towards the end with some of the reactions but I was glad that the kids were able to come around!
The end was perfect and I can’t wait for more!
By Rebecca