Off Sides

By: Sawyer Bennett

Narrated by: Charlotte North, Matthew Holland

"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 US 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 to abandon her music career after the heartbreaking 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 10 short days....

©2013 Sawyer Bennett (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"When Ryan Burnham, a wealthy college hockey player, meets struggling Danny Cross, who works as a waitress to pay for college, it's a meeting of polar opposites. Narrators Charlotte North and Matthew Holland deftly present the alternating chapters from each character’s perspective. Supporting characters, frequently changing action, and emotional highs and lows are realistically portrayed in this contemporary yet old-fashioned love story. Ryan's incredulous friends and his social-climbing mother are nasty and critical to Danny, hoping to break up the relationship. Hearing Danny's backstory is heartbreaking; when both of her parents died, she relinquished her scholarship to Julliard. Yet she remains optimistic and kind, even to her detractors. The standout creation is fiery Paula, Danny's older friend and roommate who loudly challenges anyone who's malicious to Danny. Listeners will enjoy hearing how Danny and Ryan work to overcome the countless obstacles between them and a happy handing." ( AudioFile Magazine)

Too easy

I struggled to finish this one. Honestly, the author gives the characters all of this opposition/obstacles to deal with and then the characters seem to float through and over each one. I might have enjoyed this one if I was 16 and didn't understand real life, so far as I can tell it is not a young adult novel ( it would be too sexually explicit if it were, I think) therefore I can't give the story more than two stars.

I'm sorry to say this is a hard pass for anyone over 25, and wish the author good luck.

loved it

My favorite part was the payment in cigarettes. lol. kept my attention until the end. This author was recommended by a tiktok video. you didn't disappoint.

Bana" typical "

Just a good story. Poor girl meets rich men. Love, parents hate girl. Nice twist with the brake up. They get back together. Happy ever after. Good book

Wow

I wanted to strangle his mother! I cried for Dani seeing the pain everyone put her through. The pain throughout the book made the happy moments so much better 🥰

So glad I started reading this series! Can’t wait to start the next book!

Perfect 1st book in the series

This book has so many ups and downs and plays on so many emotions. It ends just perfectly and sets us up for Emily's book to come.

Hey series is pretty amazing because each book as a standalone.

I’m four books in, I love the series. They all interconnect in someway or another, I just love that.

Cute Hockey Romance

Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Audiobook: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) Free with Audible Plus till 6/28/2023
Feelings: 🏒🍺🍲🥣😊😊💜💇‍♀️🐶🐕🐾🥰

I have Audible Plus, and I saw this was available until 6/28/2023, so I thought I'd try it!

Off Sides was a quick read, which was perfect for catching up on my reading goals since I feel behind. Off Sides is a hockey romance who meets a lovely lady at a bar/restaurant. Ryan thinks she is beautiful, but she isn't what his family would "picture" for their amazing hockey player son. Ryan also becomes protective of how his teammates talk about Danny.

The rest of this Series is available for free, and I might try them all before they leave the plus catalog!

basic

frat boy having virgin sex a week after meeting eachother , and the basic school drama, fluffy plot.

On the side of Love

My first Sawyer Bennett book, I’m so glad I finally took the plunge and tried her! I loved this book. I genuinely liked these characters. They were, well, genuine. Their story is one of finding love with someone from the other side of the tracks. The characters and storyline are so well developed I could really feel them. I’m excited to listen to the next in this series!💖💖💖

Sweet story!

I’m not sure what the previous reviewer is talking about. The story is sweet and a little spicy. The narrators are good and I really enjoyed listening.