Off Sides: Sawyer Bennett
“I'm not sure what possessed me to do it. Maybe it was the impossible expectations I faced, maybe it was my own self-loathing. But I just knew I needed something different to happen. I needed someone...something...to derail me from my current path. Otherwise, I would become lost...a hollowed out shell of a man. So I did it. I approached her, then I pursued her, then I made her mine. And my life was saved...”
Ryan Burnham is the privileged son of a U.S. Congressman and captain of his university’s hockey team. While he is on the verge of fulfilling his dreams to play in the NHL, his parents want him on a different course. One he is expected to accept for the sake of his family’s public image.
Forced her to abandon her music career after the heart breaking death of her parents, Danny Cross exists on the opposite side of the tracks from Ryan. She is struggling to make her own way, working two jobs, attending college part time and volunteering in a homeless shelter. She is on a mission to build her own success.
With a chance meeting, their vastly different worlds collide, causing each to evaluate whether they are truly on the correct path to self-fulfillment and happiness. Can their relationship survive? Particularly when others are against them every step of the way. A lot can happen in just ten short days...
Ryan Burnham is the privileged son of a U.S. Congressman and captain of his university’s hockey team. While he is on the verge of fulfilling his dreams to play in the NHL, his parents want him on a different course. One he is expected to accept for the sake of his family’s public image.
Forced her to abandon her music career after the heart breaking death of her parents, Danny Cross exists on the opposite side of the tracks from Ryan. She is struggling to make her own way, working two jobs, attending college part time and volunteering in a homeless shelter. She is on a mission to build her own success.
With a chance meeting, their vastly different worlds collide, causing each to evaluate whether they are truly on the correct path to self-fulfillment and happiness. Can their relationship survive? Particularly when others are against them every step of the way. A lot can happen in just ten short days...
There's like a disturbance in the atmosphere when I'm near him.Off Sides was a sweet, short read with a modern twist on Romeo and Juliet. Ryan is the rich golden boy hockey caption of his college team. He is from a wealthy family that is in the public eye and concerned with appearances. Danny is a pierced waitress with purple in her hair. She has had family tragedies in her past and works multiple jobs to make ends meet. She is dedicated, hard working, smart, sassy, and sweet. And she has a wonderful attitude and personality despite what she has been through.
Their paths cross one night and they have an instant spark. He convinces he to go out with him with neither of them expecting much, but they shared a unique amazing experience. However, opinions of others and peer pressure make it difficult. But their connection and appreciation for each other is intense and strong. They have to decide if it worth the risk to pursue since they come from two different worlds and it is likely that they will not be readily accepted.
And I suddenly realize why I'm so captivated by her. It's because she looks innocent as hell but the colored hair and face metal add a bit of rebel to that sweet exterior.
However, I have found Ryan Burnham to be more than the pretty face that first caught my eye. He's funny, charming, kind and in no way the stuck up prig I originally thought he might be.
I really liked both Ryan and Danny. They were so good together and so supportive of each other's dreams and feelings. She introduces Ryan to issues he never thought about and made him want to be a better man. And he taught her it was okay to lean on someone. Together they see that the paths they were on might need adjusting. And that dreams can be accomplished if you want them bad enough.
"I can think it because I know, Danny. You're my one and only. Just like I'm yours. You know it's true."
There was some angst, drama and difficult situations. They had a lot stacked against them and at times it seemed like it was them against the world. They had to figure out if they were strong enough to stay together when people and circumstances conspired against them.
This couple was really likeable and the message of the story was a good one. I really am rating this 3.5 to 4 stars since I kept bouncng back inbetween. I was happy that she added an epilogue to the second edition of the book. If you have an older edition, the epilogue is on her website. I look forward reading the second book Off Limits about his sister Emily and Off the Record coming in June.
Thanks to Sawyer Bennett for providing me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Sawyer Bennett is the pen name for a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn't have many weaknesses but c
1 comments
Kim, I think you will like Off Limits even more- I felt that Off Sides was good, but OL was even better. Then again I do have a soft spot for military/ former military men but it was a great read, and you get to see a little more of Danny and Ryan too
ReplyDelete