Kristen is in a relationship with a married man, Mitchell. She realizes that the relationship is doomed by his lies and constant controlling of her every move. She attempts to break up but he becomes violent and threatening. The story switches to a year later as she tries to carve out a new life away from Mitchell. Enter a handsome hockey player, Kellen. I found the plot to be unrealistic and unbelievable. The worst part of the book was Kellen calling Kristen, “Buttercup ” throughout the story. I think that pet names used by men to women early on in meeting and not even dating yet are misogynistic and repulsive. The author tries to make Kristen appear to be strong and independent but she runs away from her bad relationship to Mitchell (pretty unrealistically) and gets star-struck by the handsome face of Kellen. Really can’t recommend the book for these reasons.

Hard Stick by L.P. Dover will be available June 13, 2013 by Loveswept, an imprint of Random House Publishing Group. An egalley of this book was made available by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.