2026
Beth Michaels is looking forward to her new job in a new city it's a great opportunity to prove to her family and most importantly herself that she's capable of doing things on her own and it will also be a good opportunity to spend more time with her brother Ben (who is an NHL star) in fact he's going to pick her up from the airport... only when she gets there her brother isn't waiting for her, who is there is Foster James the handsome hockey goalie for her brother's team... and her brother's best friend but what is he doing here?
Foster has a problem saying no to his friend Ben... and that includes when he says he can't pick up his sister from the airport due to needing to go meet his girlfriend of a few weeks and could he pick her up and make sure she gets to her new apartment safely... ok fine he can do that. Only when they get to the apartment it turns out there is a problem and she's not able to move in... before he even knows what he's saying he tells her she can stay with him while she looks for suitable lodgings.
Foster hasn't had a family in a long time after a falling out with his brother, he doesn't let himself get attached easily but he finds it hard not to like his new room mate she's cute, sweet, charming and what starts out as texting to ask about her new job (teacher) quickly blooms into more, he knows that Ben won't like this since he said he didn't want his team mates near his sister but can't seem to stop feelings that have already started.
Beth knows that Foster as a professional athlete could be with anyone he's so different from how she originally thought he would be he's caring/considerate, he makes her feel safe and taken care of he's so thoughtful and when she finds out the crush that's growing bigger isn't one sided she wants that opportunity to see where their relationship could go... only she's concerned what her brother and family would think and doesn't want to ruin Foster's relationship with her brother either that could mess up the team dynamics.
Naturally their hidden relationship comes to the surface will they ever be able to be happy together when Beth's family isn't happy about this development? Foster knows what it's like to not have family connection and he doesn't want to be the cause of friction between Beth and her family.
*Hockey romance *Goalie MMC *School Teacher FMC *Brother's best friend *Strangers to more
*friends to more *forced proximity *Room mates *family drama *some spice *Hallmark vibes
*cheesy scenes *cozy read *rom-com *insta love vibes *shy/brooding MMC *Dual pov
*no 3rd act break up
Thoughts:
Likes:
This book has been on my TBR for a bit I felt it was a cozy hockey romance with likeable lead characters.
Funny moments I really liked how Beth finally started standing up for herself more as the book went on and there is a funny scene where she interacts with her brother's girlfriends friend who was being snooty... yes stand up for yourself this led to her being more verbal with her family as well and telling them how she felt.
I liked the book well enough it gave off some cheesy hallmark vibes at times like the plot it might turn some people off from the book but I didn't mind it even had the brooding guy doesn't have the Christmas spirit until she comes along so he has the house decorated for her.
Foster's side story 💖
If you are looking for a quick holiday(ish) hockey romance next holiday season you might enjoy this one.
Dislikes:
Beth wanted to start fresh in a new city and be more self sufficient but after the housing mishap she turns down offers from her brother to set her up somewhere and instead takes Foster up on his offer to let her stay with him... they don't know each other and at no point was rent discussed so she's essentially moved into a strangers home and is now using his vehicle to get to work too while not paying any rent... seems out of character for the brooding goalie who seems to be a bit of a loaner.
Ben the brother has a volatile relationship with a supermodel throughout this book, he drops everything to be with this woman he barely knows including not spending enough/any time with his sister... he's pretty unlikeable in this book so hopefully he will be able to redeem himself in his own book... but the fact that the lead couple were tiptoeing around with their relationship because her brother might not like it was a bit much... they are all adults just tell him and let him deal with it.
Felt it was unfair that in the family whatever Ben said went and everyone wanted to baby Beth... that should have ended awhile ago, her family was a bit irritating if they care about her they should care about her feelings about things and not just whatever Ben says goes.
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