My Break Out Book Review - No Spoilers

Plot Summary

Break Out by Kylie Kent is the first book in the Vancouver Knights series, blending ice hockey with dark mafia suspense. The story follows Liam, a star hockey player recently traded to the Vancouver Knights after controversy on his old team. His goal is simple: focus on hockey, make playoffs, and keep his new chance on track. Enter Aliyah—fiery, stubborn, and the daughter of the team’s owner, who is rumored to be Canada’s most feared mob boss. Aliyah’s job is to “babysit” Liam, but neither expects the sharp attraction or the trouble waiting if their secret comes out. Family loyalty, mafia politics, and the brutal world of professional hockey crash together as Liam risks everything—his career and his life—for a chance with Aliyah. With dueling points of view, the book adds grit, humor, and a rush of adrenaline, making it much more than a typical sports romance.

Why I Love This Book

I love how this book combines the tension of forbidden romance with the thrill of sports. Liam is all swagger and vulnerability—I get invested in how hard he tries to do right by his team while dealing with secrets that could ruin him. Aliyah’s sass and fire jump off the page; I find her quick wit and hidden softness so easy to root for. The chemistry between them is explosive, and I can’t get enough of their constant banter and slow build from rivals to something deeper. The mafia angle raises the stakes—nothing about their relationship feels safe or simple, every encounter is a risk. I like how the story finds space for humor even when things get dark, and the dual POV lets me into both hearts as they struggle with trust and loyalty. The ending leaves me wanting more from both the romance and the hockey world; I finish the book impatient for the next in the series.

Who Will Like This Book

If you want a dark, high-stakes romance with a sports twist, this is a must-read. Fans of forbidden romance, mafia drama, and strong, banter-filled relationships will get everything they’re looking for. It’s packed with enemies-to-lovers tension, forced proximity, and heir-to-the-mob danger. If you like dual POVs and heroines who can match the hero punch-for-punch, you’ll be hooked.

⚠️ Trigger warning: Contains explicit sexual content, threats, violence, family corruption, and references to the criminal underworld. Check content warnings if you’re sensitive to dark themes or power imbalances.

Tagged As

hockey romance, mafia romance, dark romance, forbidden romance, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, reverse grumpy sunshine, dual pov, protective hero, sassy heroine, dangerous setting, high stakes, open-door romance, explicit, sports romance, family loyalty, series, cliffhanger, new adult, mature themes, indie romance, kindle unlimited

Steam Level

The book is very explicit—sex scenes are frequent, graphic, and integral to the tension. The dynamic is hot and sometimes risky, perfectly matching the dangerous world the characters live in. If you want a romance with heat and edge, this delivers.