Line Change

A Second-Chance Romance (The Playmakers Series Hockey Romances, Book 0)

By: G.K. Brady

Narrated by: Ryan Lee Dunlap, Aubrey Vincent

Length: 12 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

There’s only one woman for him. The problem? She belongs to his best friend.

When it comes to hockey and women, Marty LeBrun is used to coming in second to his best friend and teammate, Zach Pruitt. And that’s okay because Marty’s sole aim is breaking into the NHL, a climb as steep as Mt. Everest—without oxygen—for a guy whose heart is greater than his talent. But all that changes when Claudia Campbell walks into their lives. Suddenly, playing Zach’s wingman is a role Marty is no longer willing to fill.

Claudia Campbell has been itching to escape her stifling family and spread her wings. None of her big plans include a serious relationship, but she soon finds herself falling for Zach and putting her plans on ice. There’s a bonus that comes with the hottest hockey player on campus, though, and that’s his buddy, Marty. As her relationship with Zach deepens, Marty becomes her best friend, her rock, the guy she trusts above all others—including Zach.

While he flounders in the minors, Marty envies Zach’s meteoric rise in the NHL. Zach has everything Marty wants: a thriving career and the girl. But Zach’s fame creates the perfect storm for excess, and when he begs Marty to keep his secrets, Marty is torn. Do his loyalties lie with his best friend since childhood? Or with his other best friend, the girl he secretly pines for?

In order to protect the woman he adores, Marty agrees to hide Zach’s recklessness. But secrets never stay buried, and Marty’s choice delivers devastating consequences. When Claudia discovers what Marty has been keeping from her, it’s game over.

Years pass and scars cover old wounds, but Marty is haunted by memories of the only woman he’s ever loved. Meanwhile, Claudia yearns for the friendship she shared with Marty. When a chance encounter brings them together again, will they take a shot at winning the biggest prize of all?

©2022 G.K. Brady (P)2024 G.K. Brady

A Tangled Romance

I was entertained by this prequel to "The Playmakers" series. Marty and Zach met Claudia Campbell on the same night, and both were interested in her. Zach and Claudia became sweethearts. Claudia and Marty became best friends. This story wandered down many tortuous paths which kept my interest. There were times when I just wanted to tell the characters to wake up and stop being so blind. There were some steamy scenes. Ryan Lee Dunlap's and Aubrey Benson's dual narrations were a pleasure to listen to, and their performances kept my attention. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, provided by Home Cooked Books, and I have voluntarily posted this review which reflected my opinions.

Sweet Friemds To Loversds

Line Change is a friends to lovers romance, also a very frustrating and sweet love story. I immediately liked Marty and Claudia, two college students. I felt bad for Marty for most of the book, always wanting what he couldn't have. I'm just glad it ended right, it was so heart warming. The narrators did an awesome job bringing everything to life. I'm gonna have to listen to the whole series again. This series is a good sport romance if someone is looking for one.

A second chance romance for Coach LeBrun!

Story: 4.5 ⭐️s
Narration: 4.5 ⭐️s

Years before he becomes the supportive and stalwart coach of the Blizzard, Marty LeBrun is just a college hockey playing NHL hopeful playing pool in a Boston bar with his best bud when Claudia Campbell walks in and steals his heart. But meet cute turns to misunderstanding then to missed opportunity and his best bud, Zach, gets the girl instead… for a time.

Brady’s prequel to her Playmaker series is filled with some of the things this author does best - complicated friendships, slightly angsty relationships, solid MC chemistry, and steam. Having a sense of Marty even slightly from the rest of the series made diving into his past something I was excited for. In past books we’ve seen that he’s someone all his players have great respect for; so, to see how he got there, and have his personality and character fleshed out here, was great. And he is well-matched with Claudia. I love that they are genuinely friends. Despite his disappointment that Zach wins her first, he’s willing to be part of her life in whatever way she needs because they have a great connection truly value one another beyond their romantic potential. As a result, it’s that much sweeter when their time does come around. Claudia is a fantastic character; I loved her ambition and her sense of humor. When they finally get together, it’s just fireworks in the best way - lots of heat and joy. Their growth was fostered and highlighted with a great cast of many secondary characters who I absolutely love; from Marty’s sisters to Claudia’s bffs Megan and Rex, providing some great interactions that brought out the best in the MCs.

Because I loved Marty and Claudia as a couple so much, one element I had an issue with was the pacing. I felt like part 1 took too long and would have preferred more time spent in part 2 ten years on. That might be because Zach is a major player in part one, and he was more a stereotype than a character. With every cliche - Excessive partying? Check. All about the money? Addictive personality? Check. Has no concept of his douchery and entitlement? Check. Loses sight of what matters? Check. - I just got more and more frustrated. I know that’s his function in the narrative, but it just felt like he and his narcissism took up too much time. Time I would have much rather spent seeing Claudia and Marty’s romantic relationship develop. As it was, part two often felt more like dealing with the impact of their getting together rather than showcasing moments of them being together. I just loved them as a couple so much, I wanted more! Still, if my biggest frustration stems from wanting more of the MCs, how much of a complaint is it? In the end, Marty and Claudia are great characters and I’m glad Brady shared their story.

The audiobook was solid. Ryan Lee Dunlap and Aubrey Vincent are together again and do their usual fine work. They hit all the notes for their characters and their performances complemented one another. As an avid listener of the series, there is part of me that wished for new narrators just to change things up a bit; however, that is not a reflection on their skill or the quality of the audiobook.

This is another recommendation, especially if you’ve ever found yourself wondering about Coach LeBrun. As usual, I eagerly await the next Playmaker audio!

I received an ALC copy of the audiobook via Home Cooked Books and read via KU. All opinions are my own.

Really long but builds good characters

Really really long! Maybe a little shorter in Part 1 and I would have enjoyed that part more. While I liked it at times it was taking way too long since I already knew what was going to happen. We meet all the characters while they are young and that sets their relationships up. How close a few were and others who thought they were close. The author does a good job building the characters and their connections to others. That helps bring out all the emotions for each one from the reader. I went through a large array of emotions from disgust to happiness. I saw dreams grow and other become squashed. The second part was my favorite as was Marty my favorite character. I really wished him well from early on.

I listened to this on audio. Aubrey Vincent and Ryan Lee Dunlap do a wonderful job on the narration. Very enjoyable to listen to.

Emotional, sweet & sizzling romance!

Marty and Zach have been best friends their entire lives. They are now in college, playing hockey together. Everything comes easy for Zach where Marty has to work harder to stay on the team and to get the girl. When Marty sees Claudia for the first time he is instantly attracted to her. He tries to talk to her but isn't as smooth as Zach. Unfortunately she doesn't think Marty is interested in her, even tho they have so much in common, so Zach swoops in. It is hard for Marty to support them as a couple, but he and Claudia soon become best friends as well. Everything changes when Zach is picked up by an NHL team. Friendship and loyalties are tested and hearts are broken. When years go by, will there be a second chance for Marty and Claudia or will Zach always have her heart? This is a moving, angsty romance that had me totally invested from start to finish. I was frustrated with some of their decisions at times, but overall I felt the evolution of these friends to lovers relationship felt genuine, and I still found myself cheering for their HEA.
I really enjoyed Ryan Lee Dunlap and Aubrey Vincent's narration. They balanced each characters strengths and vulnerabilities beautifully. They easily made me feel all the heartbreak, struggle, hope and joy that these characters felt. I really enjoyed this emotional, sweet & sizzling romance.

Emotional Second Chance

I absolutely love this series and this book is another fantastic addition. The narration was emotion filled perfection. I really enjoy these narrators and their performance. This book is an emotional, sweet and angst filled romance that has you rooting for Claudia and Marty to come together and get their HEA. These two definitely have their misunderstanding and secrets to overcome. Definitely a 5 star listen.

I was sent a free audiobook from HCB and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

The heart wants what the heart wants!

Line Change is a prequel to The Playmakers series and I just want to say THANK YOU Ms. Brady for giving us Coach Lebraun's story! There was no way this man guided his players with so much understanding and not have a fantastic backstory. And this one is just that...fantastic. Marty has to work hard to play professional hockey, while his best friend Zach has natural talent. But big money and big egos slowly destroy their friendship. Claudia friend-zoned Marty, but Marty wanted Claudia from the moment he saw her. This HEA was hard earned and so worth it. There is so much in this story...secret love for your best friend's girl, sooooo much angst, steamy steam when that angst is over 😍, bad boy trying to do right, fun banter between players, heartbreaking disloyalty and lies, rediscovery of self and friends...a complete circle of feelings and emotions that wrap up a beautiful love story. This is a standalone, but sets the stage for this phenomenal series. I'm not sure if this is the end (well, technically the beginning) of this series. If it is, I'm sad to see this series end. Definitely on my re-listen list. Don't miss this series!!

The narration will push those feelings straight out of your body (in the form of tears, laughter, and yelling...lots of yelling). Ryan Lee Dunlap and Aubrey Vincent once again pair up with their stellar performance of Marty and Claudia. Love, love, love these two together. 5 untouchable stars!