Breakaway

By: A. M. Johnson

Narrated by: Tracy Marks, Aaron Shedlock

Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's Summary

As Tampa Bay's star center, Mark Carmelo's life was hockey, and after a bitter and public break up, all he wanted to do was focus on the game. Until he saw her - the one that got away, the one he thought he'd never see again. 

For 13 years, Stevie West drowned in her lackluster life. Recently divorced from her “roommate” with passionless benefits, she was ready to start over on her own. Until she ran into him. The same man she'd met one year ago. The temptation that had finally given her the courage to find herself again. 

When lightning strikes twice, there’s no way to deny the chemistry it creates. But with both of them still nursing old wounds, Mark and Stevie will have to find a way around the other's defenses, a way to break away and score the one thing they never expected… love.

©2018 A.M. Johnson (P)2018 Tracy Marks

✫✫ 4 Stars ✫✫

What a great feel good hockey romance! I knew I'd like this book before I started because of the author and narrators but I enjoyed it even more than I thought I would. The characters are great, they are both the kind of people you would want in your real life. Both of them looking to start over and it's a second chance romance too! Mark is an all around nice guy, not once during this book did I stop loving him! Stevie is the same, she is good and just looking to be happy again. Neither were looking for each other but both of them gave it a shot without any unnecessary drama which is a huge plus for me! This book left me feeling happy and that for me is always the way to end a great book! I hope there will be more books in this world!

The narration was great! I am a big fan of both Aaron Shedlock and Tracy Marks and I really enjoy them together. I think they really compliment each other and their voices, tone and pace are always perfectly in sync!

Just so very enjoyable.

A. M. Johnson has such a lyrical way of writing that I truly enjoy. But, I must say this is my favorite so far. I have enjoyed her work before, but this was so relatable. The characters feel so real. This was a lighter, less heavy or angsty work for Johnson that I just loved. Not that her others aren't great. You are bound to get some thought provoking, deeply emotional experience when you pick up an A. M. Johnson. But, this one had less extremes, yet took you on the journey with it's milder highs and lows. I wanted to really dislike Ben, but couldn't. Because, even his journey of too little to late, and being too selfish or self absorbed he failed to see what he was losing. And, though Mark had his own issues to deal with, they felt real. They weren't blown out of proportion or contrived for drama sake. It just felt very honest, as Johnson's work always does. The whole cast of characters were just so honestly written and real.

And, the narration brought it to life beautifully. Aaron Shedlock just out does himself on this one. He always brings a stellar performance but there was magic here. And, Tracy Marks gives you all the feels as she navigates Stevie. Some books we thoroughly enjoy, but once it's over we move on likely never to return. This is one that lingers in the mind and can easily have you coming back for a re-listen over and over again.

Loved this Second Chance Sports Romance!

This audiobook was pure perfection!! Aaron Shedlock and Tracy Marks were amazing as Mark and Stevie! Both were just the right amount of sexy and sweet and even if you've already read the book, I definitely recommend the audio! Every emotion is heightened and the narration will have you feeling all the feels! Aaron Shedlock is beyond sexy and continues to amaze me with his range and talent! A fantastic book and wonderful audio!

I originally read the ebook of Breakaway, and have included my review below:

I loved this second chance contemporary sports romance! It was a lighter read than I'm used to from this author, but it still packed an emotional punch.

Mark and Stevie's journey was so beautifully imperfect and honest. Their insecurities and vulnerabilities made them even more endearing and relatable. I loved that Stevie was not the typical romance heroine. For starters, she is older than our hero by 7 years. She is curvy and sometimes self conscious and she isn't warring with her biological clock about whether or not she's going to have children. Mark was also atypical, preferring a quieter existence instead of the usual manwhore athlete portrayed so often in books. The chemistry between these two was palpable and undeniable. Every touch and lingering glance made my heart beat faster and the build up was so amazingly delicious!

I really enjoyed all the details about hockey and about the commitment it takes to play at the professional level. In a way, hockey was it's own character in this book, causing both pain and joy. I personally don't know very much about hockey, so it was fun to learn right along with Stevie too. The secondary characters were just as wonderful (how cute was Mark's family!?) and I'm hoping that we will be seeing more of Reagan and Bryson (perhaps romantically, perhaps not) in the future. Definitely recommend this one!

There are no words!

Sports romance, second chances, incredible chemistry and a dog!! This book has so many things in it that I love. Not the typical listen by AM Johnson, I was wondering how this would compare to the other amazing books. It is nothing short of incredible. Johnson has taken us into the world of professional hockey, showing us the ups and downs of being famous and trying live life normally and how age is not a factor in true love. Stevie and Mark definitely have their ups and downs, but with time, love and trust we are living and loving through them. This is a heartfelt story that is sure to warm you on and off the ice!

Aaron Shedlock and Tracy Marks are narration team beyond compare. The character of Mark needs a voice that is commanding, yet vulnerable and Shedlock masters this with such ease. He is this character and you cannot help but love him. Stevie on the other hand is insecure and emotional, and finding her inner strength. Marks has given her voice all these characteristics, and we grow right along with Stevie. Fantastic narration!

Loved IT

I loved this one~ Great characters, plot and the perfect blend of sports and romance. Narration was fantastic, really no complaints at all. I thought this was a wonderfully written sweet romance that left your heart lighter for reading it. Great book!

One of my Very Favorites!

I was amazed at the writing of A.M. Johnson with this book. I loved how she developed the characters and made them seam real. Both Mark and Stevie were recovering from deep wounds their ex's left on them. I really enjoyed how the author wrote the first meeting of Stevie and Mark, and how she didn't involve cheating. The concept of an older woman (maybe a few years) attractive to a younger man was such a fun element to the book. I liked how they gave time for their relationship to grow. There were also some standout characters in this book, like Poppy (Mark's niece) and Trent and David (Co-workers).
The narration in the POV style was so fitting of this book. Both Aaron Shedlock and Tracy Marks did fantastic. I love how they poured their emotions into the characters and had distinguishable voices for the various people. This book has so many wonderful truisms to it. I love how the author is able to also include some humor along with serious issues and poignant moments into one incredible story. I will definitely listen to this book again. I think it would be incredible if some of the characters from this book got their own story too!

Beautiful Love Story!

What a great start to the new Rule Book series! This beautiful love story is the exact reason why I love reading/listening to romance! Mark and Stevie are both strong, passionate, and perfectly flawed. After briefly meeting the year before, Mark and Stevie have a second chance to connect. Stevie spent thirteen years with a man who suppressed her strength and spirit. Now with the encouragement of her best friend, Stevie is blossoming into the self assured, fun loving woman she was meant to be. Mark is done with one night stands. He has been burned before and finds it hard to trust. But he is drawn to Stevie like no other, unable to deny the connection and chemistry he feels with her. He loves that she doesn't care about his money or that she knows anything about hockey. They have fun together and their fiery passion is explosive. I loved everything about this story. It’s not full of angsty drama, but more about finding that common ground, facing life head-on, and claiming love. It’s loaded with sexual tension, smoking hot passion, and witty banter. Ms Johnson created a wonderfully refreshing, and multifaceted story about real people who are interesting, and easy to connect with. There were so many laugh out loud moments but many sweet and heartwarming moments as well, not to mention their fiery passion!
Tracy Marks. and Aaron Shedlock's rendition of this beautiful love story is perfect. Their chemistry is amazing and they easily brought these characters and their world to life.
This book is the perfect combination of everything I crave in a story. It’s sweet, romantic, sexy, moving, and witty, all rolled into one breathtaking journey! You must listen to Breakaway, you will love it, I promise!

Cute, adorable sports romance!

So many parts of this book made me audibly go "AWWWW". It was a great balance of real life drama and book worthy swooning. It is not over the top on the sports theme like many other books in this genre. I loved it and had a hard time putting it down. I look forward to reading more from A.M. Johnson!

I listened to the audio version and the narration was perfection! I love listening to any book narrated by Tracy Marks.

Meh

While I'm a huge AM Johnson fan, this audio didn't do it for me. I tried several times on separate occasions and it just wasn't happening. It felt very monotone and had little to no emotion. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy it.

Superb!

I usually don't do sports books. This one had me smiling the whole way through. I loved the chemistry between the characters and the story was well written! I loved this book!

Perfect

A sort of, second chance sporting romance following NHL ice hockey star Mark Carmelo and divorcee accountant and ice hockey virgin Stevie West. Their paths cross in a sports bar and they instantly click, unfortunately Stevie is married so things go no further. Fast forward 1 year and Stevie is newly divorced and moving back to the city, another chance meeting and a relationship ensues. However they both have to deal with the ghosts of past relationships, can they survive and get past old wounds? Told in dual POV, a well written, enjoyable story with lovable characters. The story definitely came into itself during the second half, I couldn’t take a breath. The narrators were perfect, two of my favourites. They kept me in the zone throughout the story.

An amazing ice hockey romance

If you could sum up Breakaway in three words, what would they be?

HOT, sweet & butterflies

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved Mark he was the perfect alpha boyfriend with a sweet true side. He had a rough time in the past and found it hard to trust again but he was just perfect. I loved that he was such a family man and would protect the people he loved and cared for so much.

What does Tracy Marks and Aaron Shedlock bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

I just love Tracy Marks and Aaron Shedlock they sound amazing together and they pull you into the story so completely. I think Aaron was so good at voicing Mark I have listened to a few of his narrations but think this is my favourite he just got the tone spot on for me. Tracy Marks is perfection as always I could listen to her all day.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A second chance at love

Any additional comments?

i loved this book I was sad when it ended as I felt I wanted to know more about Mark and Stevie. I hope AM Johnson does a second book about the best friends as i felt lots of chemistry. I lovely book so glad I got the chance to listen.