Skating Into Trouble

Cooper Callahan, McKee University's star defenseman, is late to the season's first exhibition game, already feeling the weight of expectations from his coach, his family, and his own ambitions. A fight on the ice—defending a teammate—lands him in hot water with Coach Ryder, who threatens his shot at team captain unless he proves he can control his temper. Cooper's punishment: volunteering to teach skating lessons to local kids, a task he resents but can't refuse. The pressure to perform, lead, and live up to his family's legacy is mounting, and Cooper's focus is slipping both on and off the ice. He's desperate for something to break the tension, but nothing seems to work.

The List Unveiled

Penny Ryder, Coach Ryder's daughter and a former figure skater, is stuck—unable to move past trauma from her past relationship. She keeps a private "List" of sexual experiences she wants to reclaim for herself, but anxiety and memories of betrayal keep her from acting. Her best friend Mia encourages her to take control and start crossing items off, but Penny is hesitant, fearing she'll never be able to trust again. The List is both a symbol of her hope for healing and a reminder of what's been stolen from her. She resolves to try, but the first step feels impossibly daunting.

Unexpected Chemistry

Cooper's forced volunteering brings him face-to-face with Penny, who's helping run the skating lessons. Neither expects the other: Cooper is surprised by Penny's beauty and competence, while Penny is wary of the campus hockey star's reputation. Their banter is sharp, but there's an undeniable spark. Both are carrying burdens—Cooper's frustration and Penny's guardedness—but the ice becomes a place where their defenses start to slip. When Penny impulsively proposes a no-strings hookup to help them both, the stage is set for something neither can predict.

A Deal on Ice

Penny and Cooper agree to a friends-with-benefits deal: she'll use him to work through her List, and he'll get the stress relief he craves. Their first encounter is electric, but complicated by the revelation that Penny is Coach Ryder's daughter—a fact Cooper only learns after the fact. Both are shaken, but neither wants to back out. The arrangement is supposed to be simple, but the chemistry between them is anything but. As they continue to meet, the lines between physical and emotional intimacy begin to blur.

First Taste of Trust

As Penny and Cooper work through her List, each encounter becomes more than just physical. Penny experiences pleasure and trust she thought she'd lost forever, while Cooper finds himself opening up in ways he never expected. Their banter turns playful, their connection deepens, and the arrangement that was supposed to be casual starts to feel dangerously close to real. Both are haunted by their pasts—Penny by betrayal, Cooper by family pressure—but together, they begin to imagine something more.

Friends With Benefits

The friends-with-benefits arrangement flourishes, but both Penny and Cooper struggle to keep feelings at bay. Penny's confidence grows as she crosses off more items from her List, and Cooper's game on the ice improves. Yet, the secrecy of their relationship—especially with Penny's father as Cooper's coach—adds tension. Jealousy, misunderstandings, and the ever-present threat of discovery keep them on edge. Still, their connection only intensifies, and the risk of falling for each other becomes impossible to ignore.

Lines Crossed, Hearts Stirred

As the hockey season heats up, so do Penny and Cooper's feelings. A party gone wrong and a brush with Penny's traumatic past force both to confront what they truly want. Cooper's protectiveness and Penny's vulnerability bring them closer, but also threaten to unravel everything. The List, once a source of empowerment, now feels like a roadmap to something deeper. Both must decide if they're willing to risk their hearts for more than just physical satisfaction.

Secrets and Scars

Penny's trauma comes to a head when a scent triggers a panic attack, revealing the depth of her scars to Cooper. For the first time, she shares the truth about her ex's betrayal and the fallout that changed her life. Cooper responds with unwavering support, offering love and patience instead of judgment. Their relationship shifts from physical healing to emotional intimacy, but the weight of family secrets and unresolved pain still looms over them.

Falling, Fumbling, Forgiving

Cooper's family drama intensifies as his estranged uncle returns, seeking money and stirring up old wounds. Misunderstandings and betrayals threaten to pull Cooper and Penny apart, but their newfound honesty and vulnerability help them navigate the storm. Penny learns to trust not just Cooper, but herself, while Cooper confronts his need for approval and the meaning of family. Together, they begin to forgive themselves and each other, laying the groundwork for real love.

Rivalries and Revelations

As Cooper leads his team through high-stakes games, rivalries with teammates and opponents mirror the battles in his personal life. Penny faces her own challenges, from academic struggles to confronting her father about her true passions. Both are forced to reckon with who they are and what they want. The List becomes less about sex and more about reclaiming agency, while Cooper's journey to captaincy becomes a test of character and heart.

The Captain's Burden

Cooper is named team captain, a dream come true but also a heavy responsibility. The pressure to perform, lead, and live up to his family's expectations is immense. Penny, meanwhile, finds her voice—changing her major, pursuing her writing, and supporting Cooper in ways that matter. Their relationship, once secret and fragile, becomes a source of strength. But as the playoffs approach and family tensions boil over, both must decide what kind of future they're willing to fight for.

Tangled in the Past

Cooper's uncle's betrayal and Penny's unresolved grief over her mother threaten to derail their hard-won happiness. Both are forced to confront the ways the past still shapes them. For Penny, a return to Arizona and a visit to her mother's grave become a turning point. For Cooper, a reckoning with his father brings long-awaited honesty and healing. Together, they learn that moving forward means making peace with what came before.

Breaking the Pattern

Penny and Cooper finally break the cycle of secrecy and self-protection. Penny tells Cooper she loves him, not out of obligation but genuine choice. Cooper, in turn, learns to accept love and pride from his family, even when it's imperfect. Their relationship, once built on rules and boundaries, becomes a partnership rooted in trust and mutual support. The List, now complete, is less a checklist and more a testament to their journey.

Love in the Open

With their relationship out in the open, Penny and Cooper face the world as a team. They support each other through family drama, career decisions, and the challenges of young adulthood. Their love, once tentative and secret, is now a source of joy and stability. Together, they celebrate victories—on the ice and off—and look forward to a future built on honesty, passion, and shared dreams.

Family, Forgiveness, and Forward

Cooper reconciles with his father, finally hearing the words of love and pride he's longed for. Penny finds peace with her past, honoring her mother's memory and embracing her own path. Both learn that family is complicated, but forgiveness and communication can heal even the deepest wounds. Surrounded by friends, siblings, and a growing sense of belonging, they step into adulthood with hope.

The Final List

Penny and Cooper finish the List—not just the sexual experiences, but the emotional milestones that mark true intimacy. They get matching tattoos, symbolizing their commitment. Penny pursues her writing, and Cooper prepares for life after college hockey. Their relationship, once defined by boundaries, is now limitless. They dream of a future together, knowing they can face anything as long as they have each other.

Choosing Each Other

In the end, Penny and Cooper choose each other—again and again. Through setbacks, fears, and the unknown, they remain each other's anchor. Their love story is not about perfection, but about growth, healing, and the courage to be vulnerable. As they look to the future—careers, family, and all the adventures ahead—they know that the greatest risk is also the greatest reward: loving and being loved, fully and without fear.

Characters

Cooper Callahan

Cooper is McKee University's star hockey defenseman, fiercely competitive and determined to live up to his family's legacy. Beneath his confident exterior lies a young man haunted by the need for approval—especially from his distant father—and the fear of not being enough. His journey is one of learning to balance ambition with vulnerability, leadership with humility, and passion with patience. Through his relationship with Penny, Cooper discovers the power of trust, the importance of emotional honesty, and the freedom that comes from being truly seen and loved. His growth from guarded athlete to open-hearted partner is the emotional core of the story.

Penny Ryder

Penny is the daughter of McKee's hockey coach and a former figure skater whose life was upended by betrayal and public humiliation. Intelligent, witty, and deeply sensitive, she copes with trauma by creating a List of sexual experiences she wants to reclaim for herself. Penny's journey is about regaining agency, learning to trust again, and finding her voice—not just in relationships, but in her academic and creative pursuits. Her relationship with Cooper is both a catalyst for healing and a test of her courage. Penny's arc is one of moving from fear and self-protection to openness, self-acceptance, and love.

Coach Lawrence Ryder

As McKee's hockey coach and Penny's father, Coach Ryder is a figure of authority and care. He pushes Cooper to be his best, both on and off the ice, and challenges Penny to pursue her own happiness. His own struggles with grief and parenting after his wife's death add depth to his character. Ultimately, he is a force for healing, encouraging both Cooper and Penny to confront their fears and embrace their futures.

Mia di Angelo

Penny's best friend and roommate, Mia is a source of comic relief, tough love, and unwavering support. She encourages Penny to take risks, both in love and life, and isn't afraid to call out bullshit when she sees it. Her own romantic escapades and sharp wit provide contrast to Penny's more cautious nature. Mia's presence is a reminder that friendship can be as transformative as romance.

Sebastian Callahan

Cooper's adopted brother and closest confidant, Sebastian is a calming influence and a voice of reason. He supports Cooper through family drama, romantic confusion, and the pressures of college athletics. His own journey—navigating identity, loyalty, and love—mirrors Cooper's in subtle ways. Sebastian's loyalty and insight help anchor the story's themes of family and forgiveness.

Izzy Callahan

The youngest Callahan sibling, Izzy brings energy, humor, and a touch of chaos to the narrative. Her close relationship with Cooper and her own struggles with independence and identity add depth to the family dynamic. Izzy's journey is about finding her own path while staying connected to those she loves.

Richard Callahan

Cooper's father is a former NFL star whose high expectations and emotional reserve create tension and longing in his son. His inability to express pride and affection is a source of pain, but his eventual honesty and vulnerability pave the way for reconciliation. Richard's arc is a powerful exploration of generational wounds and the possibility of healing.

Blake Callahan

Cooper's uncle is a figure of both inspiration and disappointment. His struggles with addiction and manipulation test Cooper's loyalty and force him to confront hard truths about family and trust. Blake's presence is a catalyst for Cooper's growth, highlighting the dangers of seeking validation in the wrong places.

Brandon Finau

Brandon is Cooper's rival for the captaincy and a source of tension on the team. His jealousy and insecurity lead to conflict, but his eventual apology and support reflect the story's themes of growth and forgiveness. Brandon's journey is a reminder that competition can breed both division and respect.

Tangerine (Tangy)

The stray kitten Penny and Cooper adopt becomes a beloved companion and a symbol of their shared life. Tangy's presence brings joy, comfort, and a sense of home, reflecting the couple's journey from isolation to connection.

Plot Devices

The List

Penny's List of sexual experiences is the central plot device, serving as both a literal checklist and a metaphor for reclaiming agency after trauma. Each item represents a step toward trust, vulnerability, and self-acceptance. The List structures the narrative, providing milestones for Penny and Cooper's relationship and opportunities for both physical and emotional growth. As they work through the List together, the boundaries between sex and love blur, forcing both characters to confront their fears and desires.

Dual POV and Alternating Narration

The story alternates between Cooper and Penny's perspectives, allowing readers to experience their inner worlds, motivations, and insecurities. This dual narration creates dramatic irony, heightens tension, and fosters empathy. Readers see how misunderstandings arise, how each character's past shapes their present, and how love grows in the spaces between words and actions.

Sports and Competition

Hockey is more than a backdrop; it's a crucible for character development. The pressures of competition, leadership, and teamwork mirror the emotional stakes of Penny and Cooper's relationship. Rivalries on the ice reflect personal struggles, and victories and defeats become metaphors for growth, resilience, and the courage to keep trying.

Family Dynamics and Generational Trauma

Both Cooper and Penny grapple with complicated family relationships—absent or demanding fathers, grief, and the longing for approval. The narrative uses these dynamics to explore themes of forgiveness, communication, and the possibility of breaking harmful cycles. The presence of siblings, mentors, and found family adds richness and complexity to the story.

Symbolism of Ice and Skating

The ice rink is a recurring symbol of both danger and possibility. For Cooper, it's a place of control and ambition; for Penny, it's a site of both trauma and healing. Skating lessons, games, and late-night skates become moments of vulnerability, connection, and transformation.

Foreshadowing and Parallel Arcs

Early hints about Penny's trauma, Cooper's family issues, and the risks of their arrangement create a sense of inevitability and tension. The narrative structure parallels their journeys—both must learn to trust, forgive, and choose love over fear. The completion of the List and the team's championship run are intertwined, culminating in a shared victory.

Analysis

Breakaway is a contemporary romance that transcends its sports setting to deliver a nuanced exploration of trauma, healing, and the transformative power of love. At its heart, the novel is about reclaiming agency—over one's body, desires, and future—after betrayal and loss. Through Penny's List, the story tackles the complexities of consent, trust, and sexual empowerment, offering a rare blend of explicit intimacy and emotional depth. Cooper's journey, meanwhile, interrogates masculinity, vulnerability, and the longing for approval in a world that prizes stoicism and achievement. The dual narrative structure invites readers to empathize with both protagonists, highlighting the ways love can be both a risk and a refuge. Family dynamics—marked by generational wounds, addiction, and the struggle for connection—add layers of realism and resonance. Ultimately, Breakaway argues that healing is not a solitary act, but a collaborative process: it requires honesty, forgiveness, and the courage to choose each other, again and again. The novel's message is clear and timely: love is not about perfection, but about showing up, breaking old patterns, and daring to hope for more.

Last updated: October 5, 2025