I first learnt about the Original Six Hockey Romance series earlier this year when I posted a silly video about my husband and I discussing the rise and fame of hockey books (notably hockey romances).
After reading The Breakup Project, am I ever glad that I heard about this series from the author, Carolyn Miller! This was exactly what I needed after reading a disappointing book that happened to feature a hockey player, but did not get as in-depth as this book did; I'm very thankful that this book reshaped my ideas about Christian hockey books. I should have waited to read this book for the #ClearlyChristianReadathon as it definitely reflects Galatians 5:22-23; however, I also wish that I had read this book sooner, which is a good dilemma to have!
Book Synopsis
New Year. New Resolution. New Romance?
What happens when the best-laid plans break a friendship?
As the twin sister of hockey’s hottest forward, romance-loving Bree Karlsson is used to being ignored, leading to a New Year’s resolution to not date any athlete in her attempt to find Mr. Right. But what happens when the man who might prove to be her personal Mr. Darcy is her brother’s hockey-playing best friend?
Mike Vaughan might be happy playing in Boston, but he’d be even happier if Bree could one day see him as more than a good friend. He agrees to help Bree with a special project in the hope she’ll finally see him as something more. But when a misunderstanding ends in a Valentine’s Day disaster, Bree realizes that her breakup project may have broken her friendship with Mike in two. Can she ever redeem her mistake?
Source: Amazon
Book Thoughts
Now, this is the Christian hockey romance I've been waiting for all this time without realizing it. The Breakup Project offered so much more than a love story. I simply have too many good things to say about Carolyn Miller's introduction to the Original Six series. I loved the characters; I loved the hockey terminology and insights; I loved the geographic settings; and I loved all of the spiritual lessons within this book. I don't normally annotate books, but this is one book that would be marked up based on how many of God's truths are communicated within its pages. Honestly, I could gush about the Christian faith that was integral to every scene and chapter. While I wish that I had encountered this series earlier, I also believe that God's timing is just right as I wanted to see a Christian hockey book done well, and this one more than delivers. Mike and Bree are believable characters, and I adore how much emphasis they place on their walk with God. This is one book that feels normal to read as a Christian in that people attend Bible study regularly, they have meaningful conversations with church and ministry leaders, and they constantly pray about God's will. All of the spiritual activities are an overflow of the characters' hearts and not simply an add-on to make the book sound more Christian. If you were to take faith away from this book, the plot would not be the same at all; this is now one of the standards I am going to hold other books to based on how well this book executed it.
Not to give too much away, but I also loved this book due to Christian missions playing a prominent role; the conversations around culture shock and re-entry are verbatim from what I've previously taught. If I were to recommend a contemporary Christian fiction title to others seeking books that are clearly Christian, this would likely be near the top of the list. Add to that the sheer enjoyment of the plot, and it feels like this is a story that could very well be relayed to you by friends who happened to have connections with the NHL. This Canadian squealed in delight at seeing various cities represented along with detailed information about draft selections, games, trades, and more. I'm eager to finish the rest of the series based on how incredible The Breakup Project was, and I look forward to reading about godly characters who are aspirational while being relatable. Mike and Bree's relationship was exactly the type of romance I want to see in more Christian romances where patience and self-control are embedded into the core of it, exemplifying some of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. What a model for godly love!
Book Summary
- Format of book: 📱
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Recommendation: 👍
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