kem0514's review
4.0
Broken player is book 5 in the Westfall U series, it is a standalone but you would get the full experience with all the friends if you read them all. We’ve seen Blossom previously thanks to her sister and we finally get her and Darren’s HEA.
Prepare for the slow burn! If you aren’t a fan, I am sorry, but this slow burn was so excellent and felt it was very true to the relationship between Blossom and Darren. Blossom has had many awful things happen to her but she is still determined to make the most of her life as she goes to college to get her degree. While in school she starts working at The Firken thanks to her sister Rebel. Darren is the boss and he has a less than welcoming response to Blossom. Over time the layers get peeled back one by one to truly understand Darren and his feelings for Blossom. I enjoyed getting to know him and why he is the grumpy grump that he is, specifically to Blossom.
Darren and Blossom are both very broken people and in some ways they have dealt with it the same, and others they are very different. Blossom works to get Darren to open up and to enjoy life and the things he loves again. The last thing Darren ever expected was needing someone like Blossom in his life.
The story takes place over a few years and there are surprises revealed throughout the story. Blossom works on her confidence and self love while also forcing Darren to work on forgiving himself. They built a wonderful friendship before things went farther between them. Darren was very reluctant to start a relationship, it wasn’t until a little jealousy gave him a push. Compared to the rest of the series, this book probably had the least to do with the University or the hockey team but it still fit in with the series.
Prepare for the slow burn! If you aren’t a fan, I am sorry, but this slow burn was so excellent and felt it was very true to the relationship between Blossom and Darren. Blossom has had many awful things happen to her but she is still determined to make the most of her life as she goes to college to get her degree. While in school she starts working at The Firken thanks to her sister Rebel. Darren is the boss and he has a less than welcoming response to Blossom. Over time the layers get peeled back one by one to truly understand Darren and his feelings for Blossom. I enjoyed getting to know him and why he is the grumpy grump that he is, specifically to Blossom.
Darren and Blossom are both very broken people and in some ways they have dealt with it the same, and others they are very different. Blossom works to get Darren to open up and to enjoy life and the things he loves again. The last thing Darren ever expected was needing someone like Blossom in his life.
The story takes place over a few years and there are surprises revealed throughout the story. Blossom works on her confidence and self love while also forcing Darren to work on forgiving himself. They built a wonderful friendship before things went farther between them. Darren was very reluctant to start a relationship, it wasn’t until a little jealousy gave him a push. Compared to the rest of the series, this book probably had the least to do with the University or the hockey team but it still fit in with the series.
feliciasreview's review
5.0
Blossom and Darren's story was an emotion read. This title is perfect for their story. When we meet Blossom Heartless Player with her sister Rebel. This story spans a few years. I do love how each moment between them heals their hearts a little at a time. This book was amazing and I couldn't put it down
mrsmar10thereader's review
4.0
The reality of Darren and Blossom. These two are broken in some of the most powerful ways a person could ever be, but the attraction that ignites with them is instant, but do they do anything about it...no! Darren is the biggest grump where Blossom is concerned because she makes him feel, and his penance is to never feel for another woman again. However, Blossom works for him and she is so magnetic her pull won't allow him to stop and stare, to dream, to wonder. Blossom is on man hiatus, but Darren is man-nip! Why is he so grumpy though and why is he so nice to everyone else? Y'all, these two dance around these feelings for her entire undergrad!! Yes, 4 years of sideways glances and late night obsessive thoughts. Eventually pressure will burst a pipe and when the pressure gets too much for these two, clear the way.
I empathized with Darren because of the things he'd gone through in life, but I felt like he was punishing himself unjustly. He cared so much for others, but the self-flagellation was OTT. Blossom showed him that he deserved to give himself grace. His realization that he needed closure of sorts to begin healing was a proper breakthrough. Blossom was definitely an anchor for him.
These two definitely went from a sloooooow burn to a towering inferno!
I empathized with Darren because of the things he'd gone through in life, but I felt like he was punishing himself unjustly. He cared so much for others, but the self-flagellation was OTT. Blossom showed him that he deserved to give himself grace. His realization that he needed closure of sorts to begin healing was a proper breakthrough. Blossom was definitely an anchor for him.
These two definitely went from a sloooooow burn to a towering inferno!
whatismaddyreading's review
5.0
I absolutely loved Darren & Blossom’s story!!
If you have read all of the Westfall books prior to this, you would’ve seen all the little hints leading up to their sweet love story. And it did not disappoint!
Both incredibly broken people, Darren & Blossom had sworn of relationships and love, Darren even more than Blossom. But no matter how hard they tried, there was always some spark, some attraction, some something between them. Their story span over many years, and has some of the most heart breaking moments in it.
Their love is something special, that grows over many years of pain and healing..
Also this book has one of my FAVORITE tropes toward the end, and I absolutely loved it! I loved getting to see old characters and where they are at in their stories, especially Wolfe & Rebel
If you have read all of the Westfall books prior to this, you would’ve seen all the little hints leading up to their sweet love story. And it did not disappoint!
Both incredibly broken people, Darren & Blossom had sworn of relationships and love, Darren even more than Blossom. But no matter how hard they tried, there was always some spark, some attraction, some something between them. Their story span over many years, and has some of the most heart breaking moments in it.
Their love is something special, that grows over many years of pain and healing..
Also this book has one of my FAVORITE tropes toward the end, and I absolutely loved it! I loved getting to see old characters and where they are at in their stories, especially Wolfe & Rebel
letstalksmut_chill's review
4.0
Darren is going through the motions with his life right now because he cant let go of his past. He meet Blossom and from the very beginning realizes there is just something about her. She starts working at his family's restaurant and over years time turns all guys down that hit on her because she got out of a bad relationship. It takes Darren's family to get involved to realize that he cant lose her. The ending was super sweet. Cant wait to read more of this authors books.
iamtannie's review
5.0
ARC✨
Honestly I was sad this was over, I expected more chapters to pop off!
This book was really good, like I was feeling frustrated but this is a mid slow burn so it’s normal. I’m not a very patient person, so …
I started this book with no recollection that I’ve read 2 of the previous one’s lol but once I started reading and seeing this previous couples popup I recognized them right away. And I honestly love when that happens because it means that those characters made an impact in my readers life.
This couple: wow! The story’s about Darren & Blossom.
Now, I don’t even how old is Darren but Blossom is a 32 (she starts with 28-29) yo woman who all her life she has lived in this small college town. She took care of her younger sister since she was 17 so now she’s in college working for Darren.
Our MMC is the owner of the bar where Blossom starts working and he is actually broken, his biggest asset is shattered and he mourns everyday until the day he dies (his words).
They both feel their connection, and honestly since the beginning they were doomed to be together.
Their relationship doesn't actually happen until 3 years later. like HIT ME WHERE IT HURTS!!
Their chemistry is there, but neither of them is making a move until someone else asks her out and Darren feels that she is actually slipping away.
Did he need the push? Yes. Was it the alpha protector in him? Also yes. So if you're not into that, you'll hate this.
She did too, but she (as i did) forgave him pretty quickly lol
Anyways, their relationship is pretty amazing, they both push each other to their best selfs and they eventually realize that they needed each other. There is the inevitable 3rd act breakup, just a warning but its worth it. He needed to go through that in order to have a better future with her.
Now, i love both characters. They both need to go to therapy though lol just be warned that both chracters are flawed and they might not be everyone's cup of tea. Specially Blossom, she's tooooooo nice. Her heart is made of gold, im not even kidding.
Tropes: College romance (meh kinda), older couple (in their 30s), forced proximity, boss/employee, tragic past, alpha male.
Honestly I was sad this was over, I expected more chapters to pop off!
This book was really good, like I was feeling frustrated but this is a mid slow burn so it’s normal. I’m not a very patient person, so …
I started this book with no recollection that I’ve read 2 of the previous one’s lol but once I started reading and seeing this previous couples popup I recognized them right away. And I honestly love when that happens because it means that those characters made an impact in my readers life.
This couple: wow! The story’s about Darren & Blossom.
Now, I don’t even how old is Darren but Blossom is a 32 (she starts with 28-29) yo woman who all her life she has lived in this small college town. She took care of her younger sister since she was 17 so now she’s in college working for Darren.
Our MMC is the owner of the bar where Blossom starts working and he is actually broken, his biggest asset is shattered and he mourns everyday until the day he dies (his words).
They both feel their connection, and honestly since the beginning they were doomed to be together.
Their relationship doesn't actually happen until 3 years later. like HIT ME WHERE IT HURTS!!
Their chemistry is there, but neither of them is making a move until someone else asks her out and Darren feels that she is actually slipping away.
Did he need the push? Yes. Was it the alpha protector in him? Also yes. So if you're not into that, you'll hate this.
She did too, but she (as i did) forgave him pretty quickly lol
Anyways, their relationship is pretty amazing, they both push each other to their best selfs and they eventually realize that they needed each other. There is the inevitable 3rd act breakup, just a warning but its worth it. He needed to go through that in order to have a better future with her.
Now, i love both characters. They both need to go to therapy though lol just be warned that both chracters are flawed and they might not be everyone's cup of tea. Specially Blossom, she's tooooooo nice. Her heart is made of gold, im not even kidding.
Tropes: College romance (meh kinda), older couple (in their 30s), forced proximity, boss/employee, tragic past, alpha male.
abbeyreadss_'s review
1.0
Thank you Greys Promotion for this ARC!
DNFed at 30%.
Not a big fan. Kind of overdecribed certain things making it hard to read and slow.
But this could just be because i am in a reading slump as of right now.
May reread in the future when i’m out of this slump
DNFed at 30%.
Not a big fan. Kind of overdecribed certain things making it hard to read and slow.
But this could just be because i am in a reading slump as of right now.
May reread in the future when i’m out of this slump
sugarandspicybooks's review
4.0
This is book is book 5 in the Westfall U series. It tells the story of retired NHL star turned restaurant owner Darren and his employee Blossom.
Darren owns college town hangout, The Firken. After retiring from the NHL following a career ending injury, he takes over the restaurant for his father who spiraled into alcoholism following the death of his wife. Darren also suffered the loss of his wife and unborn son years earlier due to pregnancy complications. The pain of that loss caused him too much guilt to ever even consider dating another woman.
Enter Blossom; the sister of one of Darren’s former employees. She is starting over following a toxic relationship and has vowed to swear off men in order to heal. Even from her very first day on the job, she feels an attraction to Darren. He feels it, too…but disguises it as being standoffish toward her. At first, their plan to keep each other at arms length works. But it’s only a matter of time before they can’t keep their feelings for each other hidden.
This was a bit of an emotional read. Being a widower at such a young age makes Darren terrified to love again. My heart broke for him over and over as he tried to free himself of the guilt he held from his wife dying during her pregnancy so he could attempt to find happiness with Blossom.
This book was also a
Darren owns college town hangout, The Firken. After retiring from the NHL following a career ending injury, he takes over the restaurant for his father who spiraled into alcoholism following the death of his wife. Darren also suffered the loss of his wife and unborn son years earlier due to pregnancy complications. The pain of that loss caused him too much guilt to ever even consider dating another woman.
Enter Blossom; the sister of one of Darren’s former employees. She is starting over following a toxic relationship and has vowed to swear off men in order to heal. Even from her very first day on the job, she feels an attraction to Darren. He feels it, too…but disguises it as being standoffish toward her. At first, their plan to keep each other at arms length works. But it’s only a matter of time before they can’t keep their feelings for each other hidden.
This was a bit of an emotional read. Being a widower at such a young age makes Darren terrified to love again. My heart broke for him over and over as he tried to free himself of the guilt he held from his wife dying during her pregnancy so he could attempt to find happiness with Blossom.
This book was also a
memull17's review
4.0
When Blossom and Darren meet both of them are broken and struggling to overcome their pasts to move forward. Blossom just got out of a toxic relationship and has decided to take a dating hiatus to work on herself. Darren is friendly but he holds people at arms length because of the guilt he carries around but something changes when Blossom walks into the bar on her first day of work. She’s everything he wants but knows he shouldn’t because he doesn’t think he deserves happiness again and he gives her the cold shoulder. Slowly, very slowly over time and after a series of critical moments, Blossom and Darren become somewhat friends but both of them want more. Blossom knows she’s ready to move forward but is the person she wants to move forward with ready or is he still stuck in place?
Blossom has been through a lot and is still standing despite everything and has the hugest heart ever. She’s always caring for everyone else and especially Darren when he needed her most. When Darren finally opened up to Blossom you could feel the weight slowly lifting off his shoulders and the way he cared for her was tender and loving something she’s never experienced before. They make a solid couple and they did the right thing by working on themselves before getting together even if it took them years.
This series is great about updating you on the lives of the previous couples and it’s great to see them thriving and loving their lives together. Everything works out when the timing is right and Wolfe’s sister Cait will get her story in the next book in the series.
Thank you @rc_stephens_author and @greyspromo for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
Blossom has been through a lot and is still standing despite everything and has the hugest heart ever. She’s always caring for everyone else and especially Darren when he needed her most. When Darren finally opened up to Blossom you could feel the weight slowly lifting off his shoulders and the way he cared for her was tender and loving something she’s never experienced before. They make a solid couple and they did the right thing by working on themselves before getting together even if it took them years.
This series is great about updating you on the lives of the previous couples and it’s great to see them thriving and loving their lives together. Everything works out when the timing is right and Wolfe’s sister Cait will get her story in the next book in the series.
Thank you @rc_stephens_author and @greyspromo for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
bookswithbibi's review
Thank you to Grey's promotions for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
DNF @13%
Unfortunately, I'm a mood reader, and I just couldn't get into all the angst and trauma. It piqued my interest well enough at the beginning, but it's just not the book for me right now. I might pick it up later and try again.
DNF @13%
Unfortunately, I'm a mood reader, and I just couldn't get into all the angst and trauma. It piqued my interest well enough at the beginning, but it's just not the book for me right now. I might pick it up later and try again.