Delay of Game (Portland Storm, #5)

by Catherine Gayle

• ISBN10: 1515018466
• ISBN13: 9781515018469
• Publish Date: 10 July 2015 (first published 14 August 2014)
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 320
• Language: English

Reviews

[Cocktails and Books]

Catherine Gayle surprised me with DELAY OF GAME. She put two characters together, two that I would never imagine together, and made the romance real, honest and, quite frankly, not very easy most of the time. But what Cam and Sara had worked together, despite what he may not say or how Sara acts, what they have with each other proves that opposites do attract (and attract they do).

Sara and Cam may be an unlikely couple, but with each and every page these two are together, readers get the pleasure of following them as they "fit" together. Their relationship is not about sex. Cam makes that pretty clear early on in their relationship. These two truly understand the other and their very different personalities tone down (in Cam's case with Sara) the other.

There is a lot of emotional drama that surrounds Cam and Sara, but that drama generally is really about the two of them, but the things happening around them. But what that drama provides is the perfect backdrop for Sara and Cam to develop their relationship. There's a lot of sass, a lot of dirty talk about women's shoes, but there is also a lot of one big, strong man revealing his soft squishy center to the woman he wants for the rest of his life. It's hard not to love these two together, even when Sara fights what's happening.

For those that follow the series....a little Katie and Babs update. We see both characters, but not together. HOWEVER, there is a fabulous scene with Babs in the locker room that gives us a glimpse of the man he is growing into. Makes me want to beg Catherine to give us their story sooner rather than later.

Another fabulous entry into the series. If you love sports romances (especially hockey) you definitely need to acquaint yourself with the members of the Portland Storm. They are the perfect mix of hot ass men, sexual chemistry and emotion to have you begging for the next book.

[Kim Deister]

I have loved this series since the very first book! Hockey and romance and real issues... what's not to love?! Cam is a fabulous romantic hero, strong and powerful, yet a big softie at heart. Sara is a great character, totally devoted to her father and carrying a bit of baggage of her own.

I love that the author brings the whole hockey "family" from book to book, just focusing on a new couple each time. This one was interesting because it brought together two people we already knew from the other books. For me, this book was the most intense emotionally. There is some real sadness and heartache in the midst of a beautiful story, and it really resonated within me.

That is one of my favorite things about the books in this series, that the author doesn't shy away from real subjects and real emotions. Not everything is blissful in Romance Land; there is heartache and pain and loss right along with the love. I can't stand a romance where things come to pass too easily. That doesn't feel real. That isn't something that I can relate to because real love and relationships, life, is messy. These books have all of this.
I have a hard time deciding which of the series is my favorite. Each one brings a new part of the story of the Portland Storms family. This one was emotionally hard for me to read but the story was beautiful!

My Recommendation: The others in the series should be read in order to fully appreciate the story. But this is a fabulous addition to the story! I gave it 4.5 mugs!