Skip to main content

Review: The Breakup Project - Original Six Hockey Romance #1

The Breakup Project book cover on blue background

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: 👍
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Christian as a Genre

I've always found it interesting that Christianity as its own genre can be used across music, film, books, and virtually most forms of artistic or creative expression. While most secular items tend to be labelled by their style, works produced by Christians tend to get labelled by the faith of the one producing it. I remember seeing an article years ago about how the Grammys  put Christian artists under the genre of Gospel and Contemporary Christian who would then be further separated out by their musical style, such as Gospel, Bluegrass, Rock, Pop, Country, etc. I can't recall the specifics of the article, but I believe that the author of the article thought it was both a little unfair that artists would be lumped together in a giant pool despite varying styles or backgrounds, and that it was also a label that didn't really tell audiences what they would be getting, other than Christian content. I wish I could remember a bit more, but as I read it in passing, the only thou...
2 comments
Read more

Review: Doting on His Best Friend - Christmas at Redemption Ridge #11

It's been lovely to pick up some more Christmas titles as the weather changes! Doting on His Best Friend by Liwen Y. Ho has been fun to read as I can picture myself being by a fireplace with hot chocolate and playing board games with my best friend, my husband. What a great start to the season! I am grateful to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Can two best friends overcome their age gap and the past to become something more? Phoebe Cordle moved to Redemption Ridge after experiencing loss and was grateful to find a ranching town where she could start her own equine therapy practice. She also found a confidante in a handsome and generous man nine years her junior who's captured the attention of all the single ladies in their community—including her own. However, after zero signs of interest on Milo’s part for the past six years, she’s given up hope and decides to help him find love instead. Milo Gibson wa...
3 comments
Read more

Review: The Darkness Deepens - The Day Draws Near #2

If you've read  The End Begins , the first book in the  The Day Draws Near series (previously The Seven Trilogy) by Sara Davison, The Darkness Deepens takes you further as this sequel further delves into Jesse and Meryn's story. I wouldn't say that this book is a standalone book as it builds upon the previous one, but I would say that reading the first book will certainly whet your appetite for this one as you find out what's next. I am grateful to the publisher,  Mountain Brook Ink , for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Their secrets protect them... but secrets are hard to keep. No one in the army can find out that Captain Jesse Christensen has become a believer. He and bookstore owner Meryn O'Reilly are forced to meet in secret, facing imprisonment-or worse-if they are found together. As their relationship deepens, so does Lieutenant Gallagher's hatred for the Christians in their city, putting all be...
2 comments
Read more