This was pretty good. I liked the OTT way that the heroine treated her daughter because I think you would react that way. I liked the hero and how he fell in love with her. All in all a pretty nice story. One of the strong points of this series is the immersion you feel in the hockey world. I like the scenes on ice even if they are a little too in depth for a romance novel. One of the things that irks me a bit after having read five books of this series is that all the people involved in this hockey team love and support each other. I mean that's a good sentiment and something to strive for but it's unrealistic that they are all such great buds and BFFs. That's just totally unrealistic. A little conflict within the team would be realistic and drive interesting conflict. ( )

On this second book of the Portland Storm series we are introduced to Rachel Shaw, a single mom who gets hired to be Jim Sutter's assistant. Rachel catches Brenden's eye from the moment they meet but she has severe trust issues. In a way, her reservations reminded me a bit of Dana's attitude with her own struggle. I feel like for that reason, Brenden could understand where she was coming from.

Brenden is not the sensitive type though. He is more of the "rough around the edges" type and definitely not the kind of guy you'd see going for a single mom. I think this is part of what makes the story so great.

Another thing that makes this book great is the team. After reading the first book and now this one, I have really taken a liking to hockey. I'm also very attached to all the secondary characters. Babs is just awesome and Jim Sutter is so kind and caring. Basically, where do I apply to work for the Portland Storm? I'm seriously attached to the whole team.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review* ( )

Holy crap. I am so in love with this series it's not even funny. This is one awesomely written hockey romance. ( )

On the Fly by Catherine Gayle
Book #2: Portland Storm Series
Source: Author
Rating: 4/5 stars
Brenden “Soupy” Campbell is all kinds of out of sorts: he has finally been called up to the NHL to play for the Portland Storm and his play has sucked; his sister, Dana Campbell is dating his best friend and his best friend is touching her; he is injured yet again and, he just met a beautiful woman who wants nothing to do with him. Does it really get any worse?

Rachel Shaw is a young mother who has packed everything she owns into her beater of a car in order to take her kids away from the man that hurt them all. From Texas to Portland with two small kids, no job and, no place to live is a long hard road but Rachel is determined to do whatever is necessary to protect her kids. She is willing to take any job she can get as long as it gets her a home and a safe place for Maddie and Tuck. With a GED, no college degree and, very little experience in any field other than manufacturing, Rachel is a bit surprised when she is given the job as an administrative assistant with the Portland Storm. Martha says she the one . . . .

With two lives that are basically in complete disarray, Brenden and Rachel should stay the hell away from each other. Rachel has completely lost her ability to trust men around her children and Brenden is fighting his own demons where his game play is concerned. Staying away from each other would be so much easier if they didn’t live right across the hall from one another and if Rachel didn’t work in the front office and Portland Storm headquarters. Add to all of this the fact that most people want exactly what they can’t have and Rachel and Brenden are a train wreck waiting to happen. Lucky for both of them, fate has both a sense of humor and a strong sense of what should be.

Rachel and Brenden’s story is one of kindness, trust and, a strong and true love that wins out over all else. Rachel and her children have been through so much and to open herself, Maddie and Tuck up to another potential disaster takes so much courage and Brenden recognizes that. Brenden’s experience with his sister, Dana has taught him to be patient and gentle along with his natural inclinations toward strong, confident and, assertive. Brenden is absolutely certain that Rachel, Maddie and, Tuck are meant to be his and he is confident in his assertion about this to Rachel but also clear that he is willing to be as patient as he has to be and for as long as he has to be. In the meantime, with Rachel and the kids by his side, Brenden’s gameplay is getting better and better and he is feeling so much better about life in general. Now, he just has to wait for Rachel to feel the same way about life in general 

The Bottom Line: On the Fly is another solid read in the Portland Storm series. Brenden is a little tough to get behind in the beginning but once he really begins to dig in and show his true (awesome!) colors he is a whole lot easier to root for. Brenden is the highlight of this read for me and to see him really evolve as the story goes on is quite nice. I liked Rachel’s fierce determination to protect her kids but overall, I didn’t feel a great deal of connection to her. Maddie and Tuck are completely delightful and where Rachel falls a bit short for me, her kids pick up the slack. In all, this is a sweet read with a HEA that can be read as a standalone but I would highly recommend reading it in order as a part of the Portland Storm Series. ( )

On the Fly is the second book in the Portland Storm and just as deeply intense and moving as the first. The romance in these books is beautiful, made that much more beautiful in light of the pain and emotions of the rest of the story. It isn't light and it isn't fluffy. But it is raw and real and even tortuously painful at times. There were times, just like in the first story, that it brought me to tears. The fact that there is hockey is just one more thing in its favor.

The characters in these books are really likable. The last story focused on Dana and Eric, while this one focused on Dana's brother Brenden and Rachel. Brenden has been brought up to the majors and is fighting to keep his spot on the team. Rachel is running from a past that has forever changed how she looks at other people, most especially men. She has been let down and betrayed by just about everyone in her life and is left distrustful of everyone.

The romance that unfolds between Brenden and Rachel is a wee bit spicy, but is sweet to watch unfold. Rachel's pain is obvious and tangible, but it is Maddie that is at the center of the most beautiful moments in the book. Jamie, another player on the team, is one of my favorites. He is so completely sweet, kind and sweet to Dana in the last book and equally as amazing to Rachel, Maddie, and Tuck in this one.

Interestingly, there is another story line that was introduced and I am hoping that was a teaser to a new story in the Portland Storm series.

Things to love...

--Jamie. He is an incredible character and I am hoping one of the future books in the series focuses on him.
--Tuck. The kid is infectiously adorable and reminds me of my own little guy.
--Maddie. I wanted to dive into my Kindle and love on her.

Things I wanted more/less of...

--Less insta-love. No, it wasn't really instant, but it sometimes felt too fast for the emotional situations.

My Recommendation: I really enjoy this series. I love the hockey, I love the emotional depth, I love the characters! ( )