It’s that time again — time to review a new series!
Although this is the first time I’m mentioning this series here, it’s not new to me. I actually read the first book back in 2024, and it quickly became a series I fell in love with. It’s one of those comfort reads I know I’ll come back to whenever I hit a reading slump.
The main series consists of five full-length books, along with two shorter novellas. While the novellas aren’t essential to understanding the story, they’re absolutely brilliant and I’d definitely recommend reading them if you enjoy the world and characters.
Even though this is a series, each book can be read as a standalone. That said, characters from earlier books do pop up later on, which adds a nice sense of continuity and makes the world feel more connected.
1. Winging It
This is the first book in the series and tells the story of Gabe Martin and Dante Baltierra. Gabe is a veteran ice hockey player, while Dante is new to the team and still finding his place.
The story follows the pair as they navigate some difficult moments together. When Gabe is unexpectedly outed, the team rallies around him, and Dante is there to support him through it all. However, Dante is also dealing with feelings he never expected to have — feelings that are very much directed at Gabe.
This book was incredibly easy to get into, and I finished it in just three days. There is constant banter between the teammates, which adds a lot of humour and personality to the story. Alongside the banter, there are some great friendships throughout the team, and it does a fantastic job of setting up the rest of the series.
This book was incredibly easy to get into, and I finished it in just three days. There is constant banter between the teammates, which adds a lot of humour and personality to the story. Alongside the banter, there are some great friendships throughout the team, and it does a fantastic job of setting up the rest of the series.
1.5 Winging it Holiday Special
This is the first novella in the series and it focuses once again on our first couple, Dante and Gabe. The story takes place at the beginning of a new hockey season, when everything should feel fresh and exciting.
However, both Dante and Gabe are hiding secrets. While secrets aren’t always a bad thing during the festive season, these two are keeping more than just hockey-related surprises from each other. The things they are hiding have the potential to affect their future together.
This novella is a short and easy read, but it adds a lovely extra layer to their story. Fans of Dante and Gabe will definitely enjoy this glimpse into their lives and the chance to spend a little more time with them.
However, both Dante and Gabe are hiding secrets. While secrets aren’t always a bad thing during the festive season, these two are keeping more than just hockey-related surprises from each other. The things they are hiding have the potential to affect their future together.
This novella is a short and easy read, but it adds a lovely extra layer to their story. Fans of Dante and Gabe will definitely enjoy this glimpse into their lives and the chance to spend a little more time with them.
2. Scoring Positions
The second book in the series introduces readers to Ryan Wright and Nico Kirschbaum. Their story follows a classic grumpy–sunshine, teammates-to-lovers dynamic that adds a new layer to the team and the series as a whole.
Throughout the book, readers are drawn into the story as they try to figure out whether these two will finally understand their feelings for each other and if a happy ever after is truly in their future. Ryan and Nico don’t exactly get off to the best start, and their relationship begins on slightly rocky ground.
However, as the story progresses, readers get to watch them slowly move from simply tolerating one another to genuinely caring for each other. Seeing that shift, along with the continued team dynamics and friendships, makes this a really enjoyable addition to the series.
Throughout the book, readers are drawn into the story as they try to figure out whether these two will finally understand their feelings for each other and if a happy ever after is truly in their future. Ryan and Nico don’t exactly get off to the best start, and their relationship begins on slightly rocky ground.
However, as the story progresses, readers get to watch them slowly move from simply tolerating one another to genuinely caring for each other. Seeing that shift, along with the continued team dynamics and friendships, makes this a really enjoyable addition to the series.
3. Unrivaled
The third book in the series brings us the story of Grady Armstrong and Max Lockheart. Their relationship is very much a rivals-with-benefits story, and fans of intense rival dynamics will likely enjoy the tension between these two characters.
This book took me about five days to read, but every second of it was enjoyable. As the story progresses, readers get the opportunity to watch both characters change and grow. There are many moments throughout the book that highlight just how much Grady and Max develop, both as individuals and as a couple.
Another standout element of their relationship is the way they express their feelings for each other. Grady’s love language is gift giving, while Max appreciates every gesture and shows his feelings in his own unique way. Watching their dynamic evolve makes this story a really engaging addition to the series.
3.5. An Unrivaled Off-Season
It is time for the second and final novella in the series. As readers may have guessed, this novella focuses on Max and Grady and continues their story.
The novella picks up exactly where the previous book left off, giving readers the chance to spend more time with the pair. This time, we get to see Max and Grady during the off-season and how they plan to spend their time away from the rink.
For me, this was a one-day read, although that may have something to do with Max and Grady being my favourite couple in the series (with Gabe and Dante coming in a very close second). It’s a fun, quick read, and anyone who enjoyed Max and Grady’s book will definitely appreciate this extra glimpse into their lives together.
The novella picks up exactly where the previous book left off, giving readers the chance to spend more time with the pair. This time, we get to see Max and Grady during the off-season and how they plan to spend their time away from the rink.
For me, this was a one-day read, although that may have something to do with Max and Grady being my favourite couple in the series (with Gabe and Dante coming in a very close second). It’s a fun, quick read, and anyone who enjoyed Max and Grady’s book will definitely appreciate this extra glimpse into their lives together.
4. Crushed Ice
The fourth book in the series introduces another new couple, Liam Belanger and Russ Lyons. Liam is a rookie determined to work his way up to the main NHL league, while Russ is an established NHL player who is beginning to approach retirement.
Their story features an age gap romance with a slow-burn dynamic and a touch of grumpy–sunshine energy between the two characters. The slow build of their relationship keeps readers engaged, especially as you wait to see when these two will finally admit their feelings and become a couple.
However, a happy ever after is not easy for Liam and Russ. Just when it seems like they may have everything figured out, an unexpected twist changes things and adds more tension to their journey.
With all of this happening, it’s no surprise that I devoured this book in just two days. The pacing, emotional moments, and character development make this another really engaging addition to the series.
Their story features an age gap romance with a slow-burn dynamic and a touch of grumpy–sunshine energy between the two characters. The slow build of their relationship keeps readers engaged, especially as you wait to see when these two will finally admit their feelings and become a couple.
However, a happy ever after is not easy for Liam and Russ. Just when it seems like they may have everything figured out, an unexpected twist changes things and adds more tension to their journey.
With all of this happening, it’s no surprise that I devoured this book in just two days. The pacing, emotional moments, and character development make this another really engaging addition to the series.
5. Textbook Defence
Finally, we reach the fifth and final book in the series. This story introduces a slightly different type of couple compared to the earlier books.
Readers meet Rowan Chadha, a children’s librarian, and Jordy Shaw, an NHL player who is also a single dad. Their story brings a different dynamic to the series and focuses heavily on the development of their relationship.
This is very much a slow-burn romance, and for once the couple actually falls in love before any of the spicier moments appear. The romance between Rowan and Jordy is the real heart of the story, and readers may find themselves more invested in watching their relationship grow than in the steamier scenes.
Of course, like many romances, they do fall victim to a bit of the classic lack-of-communication curse. However, the series is called Hockey Ever After for a reason, and readers can be assured that this family does get their happily ever after.
Readers meet Rowan Chadha, a children’s librarian, and Jordy Shaw, an NHL player who is also a single dad. Their story brings a different dynamic to the series and focuses heavily on the development of their relationship.
This is very much a slow-burn romance, and for once the couple actually falls in love before any of the spicier moments appear. The romance between Rowan and Jordy is the real heart of the story, and readers may find themselves more invested in watching their relationship grow than in the steamier scenes.
Of course, like many romances, they do fall victim to a bit of the classic lack-of-communication curse. However, the series is called Hockey Ever After for a reason, and readers can be assured that this family does get their happily ever after.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Hockey Ever After series has been a truly enjoyable read from beginning to end. Each book introduces a new couple while still keeping the wider team and friendships at the heart of the story, which helps the whole series feel connected and welcoming. Characters from earlier books, particularly Dante and Gabe, appear as background characters in later stories, which adds a lovely sense of continuity and makes the team feel like a real, ongoing community.
The mix of different romance tropes, from grumpy–sunshine and rivals-to-lovers to age gap and slow burn, means there is something for many different romance readers to enjoy. One of the highlights of the series is the strong team dynamic and the constant banter between teammates, which adds humour and warmth throughout the books.
While the books can technically be read as standalones, I would highly recommend reading the full series — including the novellas — to fully enjoy the character connections and the growth of the team throughout the stories. For me, this has become a real comfort series and one that I will happily return to whenever I find myself in a reading slump.
The mix of different romance tropes, from grumpy–sunshine and rivals-to-lovers to age gap and slow burn, means there is something for many different romance readers to enjoy. One of the highlights of the series is the strong team dynamic and the constant banter between teammates, which adds humour and warmth throughout the books.
While the books can technically be read as standalones, I would highly recommend reading the full series — including the novellas — to fully enjoy the character connections and the growth of the team throughout the stories. For me, this has become a real comfort series and one that I will happily return to whenever I find myself in a reading slump.
From my cozy corner to yours,
📚✨
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