Healthy Scratch: Tampa Suns Hockey

Robyn M. Ryan

Mar 2019 · Tampa Suns Hockey Book 1 · L. J. Burdett

About this ebook

He wants out of the friend zone…she doesn’t believe in happily ever after.

Relationships are not in Lauren Gentry’s playbook. The only kind she’s willing to consider are friends-with-benefits and even a red-hot and sexy hockey player like Dave Martin isn’t going to change that. Right?

When those chocolate brown eyes threaten to melt her defenses she has to remind herself that her demons from her past could rise up at any moment. Which is going to be pretty hard to do, since she loses herself every time they touch.

Dave used to love the benefits that came easily to professional athletes; especially when they were in the form of puck bunnies who only wanted one night. But when he meets the pint-sized girl with bewitching green eyes and sun-streaked auburn hair his outlook suddenly changes. 

He wants forever with Lauren. Now he just has to convince her.

Can Lauren risk everything for the man she’s secretly been falling for? Or will her past stop her from taking a chance on love?

Healthy Scratch—book #1 of the Tampa Suns Hockey Series—is a standalone romance whose main characters’ lives are intertwined with those introduced in The Clearing the Ice Trilogy. You don’t need to read the trilogy to enjoy Healthy Scratch. The book stands on its own, promises HEA, and no cliffhangers! To heighten your enjoyment of the Tampa Suns Hockey Series, you may wish to read The Clearing the Ice Trilogy. 

Ratings and reviews

Robyn Ryan has done it again! Another phenomenal book with superb writing, romance and hockey! It just doesn’t get better than that! Robyn is an absolute master at character development. You just become so invested in the characters and their lives and thoughts that it becomes emotional for you too. It’s like you’re living it right along with them. The emotions are even more potent if you’ve read the previous books in the series. It’s not 100% necessary, but definitely recommended. Everything will make much more sense, and they’re worth it! This book itself was incredibly engaging and powerful. The storyline in this book is so poignant and relevant. Reading the past books, I wouldn’t have guessed Lauren’s secrets and how much they impact her adult life and relationships. No spoilers here, but her past relationship with Dave makes much more sense now. Thank goodness for true friends. Sometimes they can make all the difference in the world. I love how this book focused on Lauren and Dave, but brought in all the other characters from the past books too. Their lives and stories were seamlessly integrated within this one. I’d actually love another story focused on Lauren and Dave. But with the amazing writing Robyn gives us, I’m sure we’ll get more on their story at some point. Of course, I’ll be impatiently waiting on that next book! This one was worth all five incredible stars!

Robyn M. Ryan heats it up with HEALTHY SCRATCH, the first book in the Tampa Suns Hockey series. Lauren Gentry is considering relocating to Tampa to live by her business partner, Caryn Chadwick. She is shocked to discover that her friends-with-benefits, Dave Martin, has just been traded to the Tampa Suns; and Dave wants to be more than friends. This contemporary sports romance is suitable for adult audiences. I was thrilled when I discovered that Robyn M. Ryan wrote this spin-off of Clearing the Ice series. We originally met Lauren and Dave in that series. I enjoyed discovering more about Lauren and Dave. They are complicated characters that have great chemistry. Lauren’s history explains a lot about her attitude and self-esteem. She is an admiral heroin that has gone through a great deal. I like Dave’s character. He is supportive and protective. The plot was skillfully executed. I like that the story went forward and back in time. The stuff going on with Lauren’s family presented interesting challenges. The cyber-bullying was extremely pertinent to this day and age. I would have liked to read Lauren’s article. I know it was about the stuff that was mentioned in the book, but I think it would have been powerful to read her actual article instead of just hearing that there was one. I love the support that Lauren received. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series. I recommend HEALTHY SCRATCH to people that enjoy contemporary sports romances and/or books about overcoming issues like cyber-bullying. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

Excellent read received an ARC of this book for a review. I had never read the author but thought I would give it a try as I like sports romances. I was not disappointed with this book. Great character development on both main characters. Lauren and Dav had a history together as her best friend Caryn is married to a hockey player that is friends with Dave. Athough Lauren is successful and beautiful the scares from being raised but alcoholic parents who were emotional abuse have taken their toll on her self worth. They meet up again when Dave gets traded to the Suns and is playing with Andrew, Caryn's husband. The attraction is still red hot but Lauren still doesn't believe she is worthy of an exclusive relationship. Dave finally convinces her to move in with him all is going great until Lauren's past catches up with her. Lauren has to find the inner strength to face her past, stand up to bulling and believe she is worthy of Dave's love.

About the author

Chicago born, honorary Atlanta native, Parisienne at heart. Proud 60’s Flower Child. “Fearless” barrier-breaker for female sports journalists and minor league “batpersons.” While at UGA, scored PR internship with Atlanta Flames NHL team, during its first season. Interviewed future MLB and NHL Hall of Fame members, published in a variety of print media. Wife, mom, PR professional, and finally, 35 years later, published author. Two Westie grand-dogs pretty much run the household.