Defending Hayden: A Second Chances Novel

L.P. Dover

Jun 2016 · Second Chances Book 2 · Loveswept

About this ebook

The Carolina Cougars keep fighting for love as the Second Chances series from bestselling author L. P. Dover continues! In Defending Hayden, a damaged football star teams up with the only woman who can take the pain away.

No one’s tougher than Carolina Cougars linebacker Derek McLaughlin. But when a fatal car accident claims the life of his girlfriend, Derek finds himself caught in a destructive spiral of drugs, alcohol, and meaningless sex. But not even a string of one-night stands can ease the hurt. Football is all he has left. Then fate leads him back to the scene of the crash, and into the arms of a kind, gorgeous woman who sees past his façade to the man he once was . . . and can be again.

When a chance roadside encounter brings Derek into her life, veterinarian Hayden Hunter isn’t fooled by his bad attitude: All bark and no bite, he’s hiding a wounded heart beneath that gruff demeanor. And Hayden wants to be the one to kiss it all better. Soon they both find that a dose of passion is potent medicine. But when a hidden enemy lashes out at Hayden, Derek steps up to do what he does best: put his body on the line in the name of love.

Don’t miss any of New York Times bestselling author L. P. Dover’s red-hot Breakaway novels:
HARD STICK | BLOCKED

Or these heartwarming Second Chances romances:
CATCHING SUMMER | DEFENDING HAYDEN | INTENDED FOR BRISTOL

“L. P. Dover knows how to create the men who make us swoon, the book boyfriends we all want.”—New York Times bestselling author Heidi McLaughlin

Praise for Defending Hayden

“L. P. Dover delivers a sexy and intriguing romance with Defending Hayden, sure to get your heart beating.”—New York Times bestselling author Heidi McLaughlin

“Sexy and emotional with characters you will root for, Defending Hayden is a great addition to the Second Chances series!”—Elisabeth Barrett, author of the Return to Briarwood series

“Defending Hayden is a smart and heartwarming story that is impossible to put down. Throw in a sexy football player and some lovable animals and you’re all set.”—Stina Lindenblatt, author of This One Moment

Includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.

Ratings and reviews

Defending Hayden by L.P. Dover...This book was a winning touchdown for me. The story starts out with a penalty and ends with a win, it is so well written and flows nicely. The characters Derek and Hayden both have issues and broken hearts, but are so enjoyable to watch the relationship unfold. This is one book you do not want to miss. I received a complimentary book by publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

One of the things that always draws me to this author and keeps her on my one click list is the likeability of her characters. They feel like friends and you can't help but become immersed in the story and the book. The Second Chances series, which this book is the seventh book in, is like the television series Friends or Grey's Anatomy to me. I am addicted and never want it or end! I put everything aside the day one of her books arrive in order to devour each book without interruption. I always have my slow cooker prepared for the day that any L.P. Dover book arrives or we wouldn't eat. YES.THAT.GREAT!!! Defending Hayden returns us to the Carolina Cougars and some of our beloved characters we have met in previous books. This is Derek's book. It takes place after the accident, that was not so accidental, that killed his girlfriend and unborn baby as well as injuring him. He suffered more emotional trauma than physical injury. He turned to booze and a string of one night stands to numb the pain. After mysteriously moving away to save himself and escape the pain he returns home to play for the Cougars again. What he doesn't plan on is Hayden. She is a veterinarian he bumps into and is instantly drawn to. She is like a slave to his wounds. Hayden has her own pain from her past and wants to believe Derek has changed from his manwhore ways. Can they move forward together and escape those who don't want them together? Will Derek's defense of Hayden save her?

I read some of the books in the Second Chances series but not all of them. This book can definitely be read as a standalone. Derek, a linebacker for the Carolina Cougars, lost his girlfriend and their unborn baby in a horrible car accident. He goes off the rails after surviving the accident and takes some much needed time away. On his first day back, he literally runs into Hayden. Hayden is a veterinarian who has been burned badly in the past. She doesn't know who Derek is and isn't a football fan. This author always does an amazing job of connecting readers to the characters and this book is no exception. There are so many emotions in this book from humor to devastating sadness but there is also a ton of heat. From the very first sentence, I was sucked in and couldn't stop reading until the book was finished. I can't wait to read the rest of the series! *I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

About the author

L. P. Dover is the New York Times bestselling author of the Second Chances series, the Forever Fae series, the Gloves Off series, the Armed and Dangerous series, and a standalone novel, Love, Lies, and Deception. She loves not only to write, but also to play tennis, hike in the mountains, go white-water rafting, and sing. A Southern belle with a former life in periodontics, L. P. Dover lives in North Carolina with her husband and two beautiful girls.