Breakaway by Grace Reilly Summary, Characters and Themes

Breakaway by Grace Reilly is a sizzling, emotionally charged college sports romance that blends the intensity of hockey with the vulnerability of personal growth. 

Set against the backdrop of McKee University’s competitive hockey scene, the story follows Cooper Callahan, a pro-bound defenseman with a lot to prove, and Penny Ryder, the coach’s daughter determined to reclaim her life after a traumatic past. Their secret friends-with-benefits arrangement, meant to be casual and uncomplicated, quickly spirals into something deeper. Packed with steamy chemistry, emotional healing, and the highs and lows of young adulthood, Breakaway is a heartfelt tale of love, resilience, and self-discovery.

Summary

Penny Ryder is no stranger to pressure. As the daughter of McKee University’s tough-as-nails hockey coach, she’s lived in the shadow of high expectations her entire life. But Penny isn’t just battling her father’s legacy—she’s also grappling with the aftermath of a traumatic event from high school that left her confidence shattered and her once-promising figure skating career in ruins. 

Now a college sophomore, she’s determined to reclaim control over her life. Armed with a bold “list” of personal and sexual experiences she wants to explore, Penny is ready to take back her agency on her own terms.

Enter Cooper Callahan, the university’s star defenseman. Talented, charming, and destined for the NHL, Cooper seems to have it all. But beneath the confident exterior is a young man weighed down by family issues—an overbearing father who never thinks he’s good enough and an estranged, manipulative uncle trying to squeeze him for money. 

On top of that, Cooper’s recent dry spell on the ice is jeopardizing his shot at becoming team captain, adding more stress to his already complicated life.

Their worlds collide in a most unexpected way—an impulsive, tension-filled hookup in an ice rink closet. Despite Penny’s initial dismissal of Cooper as just another cocky athlete, the chemistry between them is undeniable. 

Seeing an opportunity to help each other out, they strike a deal: Cooper will help Penny check off the items on her list, and in return, the stress relief might just get Cooper’s head back in the game. No strings, no feelings—just a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Of course, nothing is ever that simple.

As Penny and Cooper dive into their secret, no-strings-attached arrangement, what starts as purely physical quickly morphs into something far more complicated. Beneath the teasing banter and heated encounters, they find a rare kind of emotional intimacy. 

Penny feels truly seen and safe with Cooper—something she hasn’t experienced in years. For Cooper, Penny becomes more than just a distraction from hockey pressures; she’s the person who challenges him to be more than just the athlete everyone expects.

But their growing connection isn’t without obstacles. Penny struggles with the fear of losing control again, haunted by her past and hesitant to let anyone, even Cooper, get too close. Meanwhile, Cooper’s family drama intensifies. His uncle Blake resurfaces, manipulating him for money and reopening old wounds about loyalty, guilt, and his strained relationship with his father. 

To make matters worse, the secrecy of their arrangement adds its own complications, especially considering Penny’s dad is Cooper’s coach—someone who could make or break his hockey career.

As their feelings deepen, so do their insecurities. Misunderstandings, jealousy, and the weight of unspoken emotions create rifts between them. 

Penny’s fear of vulnerability and Cooper’s tendency to bottle up his frustrations lead to a heated argument that forces them apart. Both are left to confront their personal demons without the comfort of the connection they’d grown to rely on.

During their time apart, Penny finds the courage to face her past head-on. She realizes that vulnerability doesn’t equate to weakness and that allowing herself to care deeply for someone doesn’t mean giving up her independence. 

Cooper, on the other hand, learns to set boundaries within his toxic family dynamics, finally confronting his uncle’s manipulations and accepting that his worth isn’t tied to his father’s impossible standards.

When they finally reunite, it’s with a newfound sense of clarity and emotional maturity. Their reconciliation isn’t just about rekindling romance—it’s about acknowledging the growth they’ve inspired in each other. They admit their mistakes, confront their fears, and embrace the messy, imperfect reality of love.

Breakaway concludes with both Penny and Cooper standing stronger—not just as a couple, but as individuals who’ve reclaimed control over their lives. Penny steps into her own power, unafraid to pursue what she wants, while Cooper thrives both on and off the ice, free from the shadows of his family’s expectations. 

Their love story, filled with passion, heartache, and healing, is a testament to the idea that the right person doesn’t complete you—they help you find the courage to complete yourself.

Characters

Penny Ryder

Penny Ryder is a complex character whose personal growth is at the heart of Breakaway. She begins the story struggling with the aftermath of a traumatic event during her high school years, which severely impacted her self-confidence and emotional well-being.

This event, which involved public humiliation and a violation of her privacy, leads her to create a “list” of experiences she wishes to explore in order to regain control over her life. The list is not only a way for her to reclaim her autonomy but also serves as a means of confronting her fears and moving beyond her past trauma.

Penny’s journey of self-discovery is integral to her development, as she learns to navigate her desires, embrace her vulnerability, and trust others again. Her relationship with Cooper is a significant aspect of her growth, as he becomes a source of emotional support, safety, and healing.

Penny’s internal conflict stems from her fear of losing control again, especially in a relationship, but as she opens up to Cooper, she starts to see vulnerability not as a weakness but as a strength.

Cooper Callahan

Cooper Callahan is introduced as the stereotypical “star athlete” on the surface—a talented hockey player with the ambition to make it to the NHL. However, beneath his cocky exterior, Cooper faces significant emotional challenges that stem from his complicated family dynamics.

His strained relationship with his father, who constantly compares him to his older brother, creates a sense of inadequacy and pressure. On top of that, his uncle Blake’s manipulative behavior adds another layer of stress, particularly when Blake reappears in Cooper’s life seeking financial support.

Throughout the novel, Cooper grapples with the expectations placed on him both as an athlete and as a son, which often conflict with his personal desires. His relationship with Penny provides him with a reprieve from these pressures, as she challenges him to be more than just a hockey player or someone living under his father’s shadow.

Through his connection with Penny, Cooper learns to establish boundaries, confront his emotional baggage, and understand that his worth isn’t defined by his family’s approval or his athletic career.

Themes

Healing from Trauma and Reclaiming Personal Agency

Penny’s emotional journey in Breakaway is fundamentally about healing from trauma. She faces the aftermath of a highly publicized incident in high school that shattered her confidence and self-worth.

The trauma manifests in her struggles with intimacy, trust, and her overall sense of control in her life. Rather than letting this incident define her, Penny actively seeks ways to regain her autonomy, creating a list of experiences she wants to explore on her own terms.

This list becomes a tool for reclaiming control, both over her emotional and physical boundaries. It also acts as a metaphor for her desire to overcome the mental and emotional scars left by her past.

Penny’s healing journey is not linear; it’s filled with setbacks and fears. But her interactions with Cooper gradually help her rediscover her sense of self and worth.

This journey emphasizes that overcoming trauma is not just about moving past pain, but actively confronting and reclaiming the agency that was once taken away.

Struggling with Family Expectations, Manipulation, and the Battle for Self-Identity

Cooper’s storyline deeply explores the impact of family expectations on personal identity. Particularly, the pressure that comes with being the child of a former professional athlete.

Cooper is constantly compared to his older brother, creating a sense of inferiority and a need to prove himself not only to his father but to everyone around him. This external pressure clashes with his internal desires and his journey to define who he truly is outside the shadow of his family.

On top of this, Cooper faces manipulation from his estranged uncle Blake, who reappears in his life. Blake takes advantage of Cooper’s guilt and sense of responsibility, leading him into difficult situations that cause friction with his father.

The relationship between Cooper and his family highlights the complexities of loyalty, guilt, and the process of asserting boundaries to preserve one’s identity. Cooper’s path toward emotional maturity is marked by his ability to confront his family dynamics, acknowledge the toxicity of certain relationships, and ultimately learn that his worth isn’t defined by the validation of his father or the manipulative demands of his uncle.

The Dichotomy Between Emotional Vulnerability and the Fear of Losing Control

A key theme in the novel revolves around the delicate balance between emotional vulnerability and the fear of losing control. Both Penny and Cooper struggle with this balance throughout their relationship.

Penny’s past trauma has made her fearful of being vulnerable, equating it with weakness and the potential to be hurt again. Initially, her arrangement with Cooper is based on the idea of maintaining control—no emotional attachments, just physical experiences to check off her list.

But as their connection deepens, Penny finds herself confronting the very vulnerability she fears. This conflict is especially difficult for her because it forces her to challenge the protective walls she’s built around herself for years.

Similarly, Cooper’s emotional vulnerability is tied to his insecurities and the high expectations placed upon him by his father and uncle. Cooper’s initial detachment in his relationship with Penny reflects his fear of being emotionally manipulated, something that mirrors the dysfunction in his family.

Both characters must learn to embrace vulnerability, realizing that it is through emotional openness that true healing and growth occur—not just in their individual journeys but in their evolving relationship.

This theme highlights that vulnerability is not synonymous with loss of control but is essential to achieving authentic emotional intimacy.

The Complex Dynamics of Healthy Relationships: Communication, Boundaries, and Mutual Support

The evolution of Cooper and Penny’s relationship explores the complexities of building a healthy partnership. Especially when both individuals are dealing with their own personal struggles.

Initially, their connection is framed as a no-strings-attached arrangement, but as they grow closer, it becomes clear that the foundation of a lasting relationship goes beyond physical attraction. Both characters must learn how to communicate effectively, set boundaries, and provide emotional support for each other.

Penny, still grappling with her past, struggles with the idea of dependence, fearing that relying on someone else could lead to weakness or control. Cooper, on the other hand, faces the challenge of separating his identity from his family’s expectations and learning to ask for help when needed.

Their relationship becomes a space where both individuals learn to prioritize each other’s emotional needs, communicate openly about their fears, and provide the support necessary for mutual growth.

This theme emphasizes that healthy relationships require not just love, but the ability to set boundaries, understand each other’s emotional complexities, and offer compassion. Their romance isn’t perfect, but it highlights that true partnership is grounded in understanding, respect, and the willingness to grow together.

Navigating Jealousy, Miscommunication, and the Complexities of Trust in Romantic Relationships

Jealousy and miscommunication serve as key sources of conflict in Breakaway, adding tension and realism to the evolving relationship between Penny and Cooper. Both characters come into the relationship with baggage that complicates their ability to fully trust one another.

For Penny, jealousy arises when she sees Cooper interacting with his ex-flings, triggering fears of abandonment and insecurity based on her past trauma. For Cooper, the jealousy stems from Penny’s academic admirers and her history with a past relationship that he doesn’t fully understand.

These feelings, combined with their inability to communicate their growing emotions, lead to misunderstandings and emotional outbursts that threaten to tear them apart. However, these moments of conflict are pivotal in the development of their relationship.

They are forced to confront their insecurities, learn to communicate more openly, and ultimately understand that trust is not a given—it must be built and nurtured. Their story shows that love requires effort, patience, and the willingness to confront uncomfortable feelings like jealousy, which can serve as a catalyst for deeper emotional intimacy when handled with care and mutual respect.