Customer Reviews

Chasing Stanley (New York Blades)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I have so enjoyed Ms. Martin's other books, which is why I purchased 'Chasing Stanley'. I was very disappointed! Ms. Martin's style of writing, made this book easy to read, however, I struggled, regardless, as I didn't like the main characters or the secondary characters!! The hero of the story seemed like such a young, selfish boy, so not attractive to me at all and the heroine.........well, I guess the best way to put it, is that she needed to get a grip! Other than Marcus, the friend and co-worker, who was the only human character I liked and Stanley, yes the Newfoundland, I basically just wanted to take a baseball bat to all the other secondary characters. I was, also, very suprised at the lack of description of Delilah's own dogs. They, to me, were just props. I really like Ms. Martin's books and plan to continue to read them...........but, not if they turn out to be like this one. I wish I had skipped it.

Ok, let's sum this up: I just adore this book, I love all Deirdre Martin has published and this work especially. IMO it's perfect in every way and a brilliant new book in the "New York Blades" series.
For those who want some more info, here it is.
It's all about Delilah Gould, a very shy dog trainer, and about Jason Mitchell, a new player of the Blades. Jason and his best buddy, Newfoundland Stanley, are new in town and in need of a place for Stanley to stay when Jason is playing. Jason and Delilah meet on a hot summer day and there is instant attraction between them and even better Delilah adores Stanley and is prepared to train and board him.
From a working relationship they go on to a more intimate one and at the beginning they have a lot of fun and enjoy their life together, but soon realize that because their temperaments are totally different not everything is perfect. Delilah is very shy and happy to stay at home with her dogs while Jason wants to enjoy every aspect of his new life in New York and wants to spend every night out meeting new people.
Jason expects Delilah to be more outgoing but doesn't realize that he is hurting her more than helping to overcome her insecurities.
After a disastrous evening spent at one of Jason's colleagues home they both decide to end their intimate relationship. They still have contact because of Stanley and after Delilah helps Jason out in two critical situations he realizes why he fell in love with the shy Delilah and that they are perfect for each other if they accept the other just like she/he is.
Delilah and Jason are really sweet together and I especially love her. She is one of my favourite heroines.
Besides Delilah, Jason and Stanley you also meet some crazy parents, an annoying but also very charming twin-brother (his book "Power Play" is out in October 08) and some of the "old" Blades and each of them makes this book what it is: perfect.
So please run to your next bookstore/go online and buy/order yourself a copy and read on!
Enjoy.
S.M.

This book was a big disappointment. The characters were clumsy and dorky, making the rest of the book not worth the read. It reminds me of bad dating experiences, which is not at all what you want to find in a romance novel. The heroine obsesses over dogs and her own insecurities while the hero is immature and not at all attractive, even in a fictitious world. If you're looking for a good hockey romance read, pick up something from Rachel Gibson instead.

Ok. I have loved all of Deidre Martin's books. This one however was terrible.
The heroine is whiny and weak, in my opinion.
Jason is just an inconsiderate ass, and he never redeems himself in my eyes.
The best character in this book is Stanley, and sadly, Eric.
If these people were real, they should be focusing on personal growth.
The series is great, this book was the dud out of all of them in my opinion.

I've enjoyed all of the previous hockey-centered romances that Ms. Martin has written, but this one simply doesn't come up to the mark. I agree with many of the one and two starred reviews--the reader just doesn't buy that these two people are in love, or that they can ever have an HEA. And I agree also with the opinion that there was no real conflict in this book other than the two main characters. The main conflict was that they were so different and mostly unwilling to compromise. Jason was immature and Delilah was limited. After being surprised at the real, and often difficult, situations dealt with in previous books, I felt like all the conflicts were manufactured and flat in this one.

I gave this book three stars because Ms. Martin still writes better than the vast majority of romance writers. Reading one of her books is always enjoyable, even if this wasn't her best effort. I still look forward to reading the next book.

This was my first Deidre Martin book. I found it pretty good.
A new hockey player for the Blades runs into (literally) a dog-walker and the romance starts. If they can just work through his new adjustment to being famous, and her almost worship-like relationship with dogs, they'd be perfect together.

I liked that this book was much more realistic relationship wise which was refreshing.

The thing I didn't like- the leading female character. She was annoying. Although if you really love dogs, then you may love her character. I mean, i love my dog... but not quite the same way as this girl.

The Penalty Box and Body Check was better than this one in my opinion.

I just adored this little book. It was sooo cute and sweet. This was my first Deirdre book and I was pleasantly surprised, and glad I went all out and bought it.

Maybe I like this book soo much because I myself happened to think I may suffer a bit from social anxiety, sooo, when Delilah was describing how she felt anxious around strangers or big crowds I sympathized with her. I did think that her hunky bf judged her too hard, and overreacted when she went haywire about the dog being tied in the basement. Having a dog in a basement tied up with no water and with poop everywhere is horrible, so she was in her right to act indignant. Highly recommended!

Dog trainer, Delilah Gould, can't help herself when she sees hockey player, Jason Mitchell, trying to control his Newfoundland, Stan. She has to step in and help. Before she knows it, Delilah finds herself offering to train both Stan and Jason. Jason has just found himself living his dreams; he's been traded to the New York Blades. However, Stan isn't adjusting to city living as easily as Jason did. So, when Delilah appears, he's more than happy to allow her to train Stan. As Jason and Delilah spend more and more time together they begin to fall for each other. Jason and Delilah couldn't be more different from each other. Can two people who live such totally different lives find a way to make a relationship work?

Chasing Stanley is a fun, romantic story that kept me engrossed page after page. Quickly pulling me into Delilah and Jason's story, Deirdre Martin continues her hockey series with yet another sweet romance that realistically deals with the relationship between two totally opposite personalities. Add into this a lovable pooch named Stan, a trouble making twin brother, the bridezilla from hell, and Chasing Stanley should be on the top of every romance lover's reading list!

Melissa
Reviewed for Joyfuly Reviewed

First, I LOVE Ms. Martin's voice. She makes even a bad book a lot of fun. So I gave her a FOUR for her writing ability.

However, the plot of this and the made-up confict are terrible! The hero backed out on a commitment with Delilah because he was drunk. He was hungover for a game because he'd gotten drunk with his brother. Not hero material. In spite of this, I liked him although I couldn't forgive him for standing Delilah up. He did change, grew up and was charming. I loved the relationship with his brother.

But Delilah--why would anyone fall in love with her? She's one sick woman and she didn't change. She refused to meet people even though she said she loved the hero. Why did he stay with her? Ms. Martin attempted to show how wounded she was by her parents--okay, now it's time for her to grow up, get help, and be normalish.

Like others, I missed Delilah's dogs. As little as they were brought into the story of a woman who only loves her dogs, they were amazingly invisible.

For these reasons, I had to give the plot a zero which averages out to a two.

When dog trainer Delilah Gould spots a rambunctious Newfoundland disobeying orders, she can't help stepping in and teaching the gentle giant to heel. But it's his hunky owner she'd really like to teach a few tricks. Too bad he's clearly the untrainable kind.

Professional hockey player Jason Mitchell is thrilled when he's traded to the New York Blades - the team of his dreams. There's just one problem: his pooch isn't adjusting to city life too well. Good thing he crosses paths with dog trainer Delilah Gould. At least that's what he thinks - until he realizes he's fallen for her.

Now, with the season heating up, Jason realizes he'll have to score big-time to win the Stanley Cup and the woman who has tamed his dog and unleashed his heart.