Love and Hockey #6
Lauren Blakely
December 12, 2025
Revenge was the plan. Falling for the hockey star next door wasn’t.
My new neighbor is a hot, grumpy hockey player who works out shirtless on his porch every morning. But it’s not technically spying if I just happen to be on my patio at the same time … right?
Imagine my surprise when the sexy grouch turns out to be the client who just hired me to redecorate the house he’s giving his mom.
What’s a ray of sunshine like me to do? Pretend I’ve never noticed his abs while we pick out furniture—since I’d never date a client. And Ford’s made it clear this is his final season, and he wants zero distractions.
Which means I need to exercise some serious resistance …
To his cool blue eyes that track my every move.
To that deep voice that makes me shiver.
And to the mouth that shuts me up one night in our shared backyard with a scorching kiss.
We agree it’s a one-time slip-up—until my cheating ex invites me to a party, and Ford insists on being my revenge date. Our fake night out turns into a very real sleepover.
Now the press and fans think we’re a couple, so we keep it up. One fake date at a charity gala turns into another at a hockey game, and somewhere between fabric swatches and porch picnics, I stop pretending.
But how do I convince Ford that with me, he can have both love and hockey?
Tropes: Neighbors to lovers, hockey romance, workplace romance, revenge fake dating, romantic comedy. This is Ford and Skylar's romance!
NOTE: This ebook includes the short story The Rival Upgrade, which also takes place in the Love and Hockey world!
Skylar wants to project a badass babe professional image, but she sometimes is really a bit chaotic, impulsive, and spirited. She is just trying to get her solo woman design firm going and enjoys podcasting with her friends. Ford likes order, routines, control, low risk, and strives to meet his goals. And has met most of his hockey goals and needs to focus on his last season.
Now they are working together and starting to enjoy each other's company. But it is only supposed to be a business relationship, and it has the neighbor complication too. At first, they seem like opposites, but there are more similarities than they expected.
From peeping neighbors to a working relationship to friends with benefits, these two start to become a bit obsessed with each other. But due to circumstances and their past relationships and trust issues, they both worry about complications and getting hurt.
These two kept me engaged and smiling throughout. They have fun and snarky banter and thrive on teasing. They have both been burned by love and have trust issues. As they end up in a reverse fake dating situation, they try hard to lean into the fake portion and physical aspect and avoid the scary idea of anything real.
I absolutely adored these two. They have such a snappy, flirty rapport, but they’re also really thoughtful and caring. They’re the best doggie parents and just love their little dogs like children. Both had trust issues and had been burned by love. They thought they might not be ready for something real, but it just kind of sneaks up on them in this safe way of exploration. The more time they spend together, the closer and more vulnerable they become.
But as with all fears and issues, it just takes a trigger to bring self-doubt. So even though this book is mostly fun and light, there is enough conflict and emotional depth to it. Ford wasn’t perfect and he made mistakes, but he more than redeemed himself and was such a lovable hero. And I loved that Skyler could be messy and a bit chaotic and carefree, but then she could also be professional and competent And she has enough self-worth to know what she deserves now.
Together they were just delightful, witty, passionate, and just what the other needed when they didn’t expect it. This book had me laughing, smiling, hurting, and all in my feels. It’s a neighbors-to-lovers, opposites-attract, spin on fake dating romance with a hockey player and a designer who just can’t seem to stay away from each other. I totally fell in love with these characters. I enjoyed the side characters of their families and friends. And it did bring back many of the characters from the series, but it can be read as a total standalone. Even the animals had big personalities.
From peeping neighbors to a working relationship to friends with benefits, these two start to become a bit obsessed with each other. But due to circumstances and their past relationships and trust issues, they both worry about complications and getting hurt.
These two kept me engaged and smiling throughout. They have fun and snarky banter and thrive on teasing. They have both been burned by love and have trust issues. As they end up in a reverse fake dating situation, they try hard to lean into the fake portion and physical aspect and avoid the scary idea of anything real.
I absolutely adored these two. They have such a snappy, flirty rapport, but they’re also really thoughtful and caring. They’re the best doggie parents and just love their little dogs like children. Both had trust issues and had been burned by love. They thought they might not be ready for something real, but it just kind of sneaks up on them in this safe way of exploration. The more time they spend together, the closer and more vulnerable they become.
But as with all fears and issues, it just takes a trigger to bring self-doubt. So even though this book is mostly fun and light, there is enough conflict and emotional depth to it. Ford wasn’t perfect and he made mistakes, but he more than redeemed himself and was such a lovable hero. And I loved that Skyler could be messy and a bit chaotic and carefree, but then she could also be professional and competent And she has enough self-worth to know what she deserves now.
Together they were just delightful, witty, passionate, and just what the other needed when they didn’t expect it. This book had me laughing, smiling, hurting, and all in my feels. It’s a neighbors-to-lovers, opposites-attract, spin on fake dating romance with a hockey player and a designer who just can’t seem to stay away from each other. I totally fell in love with these characters. I enjoyed the side characters of their families and friends. And it did bring back many of the characters from the series, but it can be read as a total standalone. Even the animals had big personalities.
Ford and Skylar begin as neighbors sneaking peaks at each other and quickly learn that Ford is a potential client of Skylar's. The heat ramps up as they watch the neighborly movement and maneuver accidental bump-ins with the other. When they discover the connection they hit the brakes for a time. Until the necessity of a fake date strikes.
I loved watching these two banter and flirt as the chemistry sparked between them. They have so many silly, quirky moments, but as the story builds they also develop a deep understanding of each other. I love a good fake dating story, especially when it happens to a couple that everyone else can see the sparks flying both ways. When it goes from one fake date to another and spending more time together, wondering if they could have something more, they were bound to start to develop real feelings instead of fake ones!
This was another fun trip into Lauren Blakely’s hockey world. The hockey is light but the heat is high! This is not a hockey heavy story, but it is present and a big part of Ford’s identity. Skylar is quirky and eco-conscious in all she does. The elements we are used to seeing in Lauren’s story are present here in the most fun ways: quirky heroines, witty banter, hilarious phrases, and adorable animals. There is plenty of tension to work through even though it was mostly a light, easy read.
(Love and Hockey book 1)
Our 5 star reviews
A forbidden romance with my brother’s hockey teammate wasn’t on my to-do list when I moved across the country…
Neither is spending my first evening in a new city with the sexy stranger who rescues me when I’m locked out of a friend’s place wearing next to nothing.
But I’m trying to get out of my comfort zone so getting out of the rest of my clothes with him seems like a good way to start.
In the morning, I learn the filthy-mouthed man with the talented hands is not only the hotshot new hockey player on my brother’s team.
He’s also – wait for it – my brand new roommate.
Thanks, fate.
But the last thing I need is a complicated fling so we agree to a friends-only rule.
It’s not easy though. Wes is bossy, flirty and generous.
He gives me rides to work.
Pitches in at my library’s fundraiser.
Takes care of me when I get hurt.
I don’t know how long I can stick to our rules, especially the night Wes comes to my door and tells me exactly how he’d like to break them.
Every single one.
The Romance Line
Wanted: one hot billionaire to pose as my Christmas boyfriend. Must be willing to make my cheating ex jealous when you kiss me under the mistletoe at all the holiday parties. Bonus points if you make him cry.
To my surprise my billionaire boss is more than up for the challenge of coming down the chimney as my holiday boyfriend. The sexy single dad desperately needs a plus one at a Christmas Eve wedding, where he’s the best man and I’m the maid of honor.
And since my ex is in the wedding party too, my boss and I team up as a pair of insta-lovebirds for the holiday season, including during the annual week-long Christmas competition leading up to the snowy destination wedding.
But soon staying up late to string the best popcorn balls ever turns into a scorching night in his arms where the chestnuts aren’t the only thing roasting on the open fire.
The Overtime Kiss
Love and Hockey #5
(Love and Hockey #2)
Our 5 to 5.5 star reviews
The first rule of handling PR for a hockey team? Never hook up with a player.
That shouldn’t be a problem since the last man on earth I want to give an image makeover to is our goalie. He’s infuriatingly hot, famously grumpy and lives to spar with me after every game.
But shining up his rough edges is my path to landing the promotion I desperately need, so I grit my teeth and do my job. No matter how hard he makes it (especially with that sexy smirk and cool blue eyes.) As we travel from pose-with-a-pet photo opps to cuddle-a-kitten fundraisers, we bicker like it’s foreplay.
Turns out it is.
Because as I get to know the man behind the broody iceman exterior, it’s me that melts – right into his arms as he devastates me with a kiss that turns into the hottest, most forbidden night of my life.
Only once turns into every night as Max shows me how much he wants to take care of me. His possessive touch makes me feel adored for the first time in my life.
But the man is entirely off limits and I can’t risk my job for more of those soul-deep kisses.
Because the only thing worse than hooking up with a player is falling head over heels for him.
Our 4.5 to 5 star reviews
To my surprise my billionaire boss is more than up for the challenge of coming down the chimney as my holiday boyfriend. The sexy single dad desperately needs a plus one at a Christmas Eve wedding, where he’s the best man and I’m the maid of honor.
And since my ex is in the wedding party too, my boss and I team up as a pair of insta-lovebirds for the holiday season, including during the annual week-long Christmas competition leading up to the snowy destination wedding.
But soon staying up late to string the best popcorn balls ever turns into a scorching night in his arms where the chestnuts aren’t the only thing roasting on the open fire.
Can all these winter wonderland nights seeking revenge turn into the real thing when we return to the office? Or are we destined to go the way of a Christmas tree on New Year’s?
The Proposal Play
(Love and Hockey book 3)
(Love and Hockey book 3)
My plan when I win a date in Vegas with my brother’s hockey star best friend? Poker and go to sleep early. Instead, I wake up with a ring on my finger and the sexy athlete naked in my bed.
But Asher’s my best friend too so we’ll get this annulled and laugh about this secret for years to come.
Trouble is our wedding pics went viral overnight.
Now everyone thinks we’re a real couple. We race back home, where I’ve just landed the big art commission of my dreams and he’s launching a sports charity so we need to look like we meant to tie the knot.
Easy enough. We’ll claim we’ve been secretly in love, while staying in separate rooms for the rest of the hockey season.
The last thing either one of us wants is to ruin a decade-long friendship by falling into bed again.
Trouble is, I experience a new side of my husband at home. He cooks for me, encourages me…and buys me so many toys.
And, it’s more fun to share your toys with a friend.
We’re just enjoying temporary marital benefits.
Except, the more times he calls me his wife, the more I start to wonder if Asher was ever pretending?
And if my heart is ready to take the biggest risk of all.
In my defense, I had no idea the tattooed, glasses-wearing, soulful hottie I spent one perfect day—and one unforgettable night—with was a hockey star on my father’s team.
And Miles didn’t know I was the coach’s daughter.
That’s the point of a “no-work-talk” date.
But now? He's as forbidden to me as I am to him.
When I land a new gig as the team photographer, we vow to keep it professional. We mostly succeed…except for that time after a game when he couldn’t keep his talented hands off me. And, okay, maybe that other time before a road trip. But I swear, it won’t happen again.
Too much is at stake—I can’t risk my heart or my father’s team.
But when I’m asked to dog-sit Miles’s pack of rescue pups for a few weeks, I discover there’s more to him than I ever imagined—a man who’s genuine, thoughtful, and irresistibly real.
He looks at me like he can’t believe his luck. Touches me like he never wants to let go. And listens to my hopes and fears.
My heart’s getting dangerously attached. But if I follow it… am I putting everyone’s dreams on the line?
Love and Hockey #5
Just what every bride dreams of—running straight from her cheating fiancé into the arms of a hot hockey star… and then getting hired as his kids’ nanny.
Tyler Falcon is protective, flirtatious…and frustratingly responsible. We almost did something reckless when he found me alone in my wedding dress, and I blurted out all the things I’d never truly experienced.
Now, the sexy single dad is saving me again with a job I desperately need—and a promise to never mention The Night of 1001 Confessions.
I live in his house. Take care of his kids. Pretend I don’t notice his heated gaze lingering on me after they fall asleep.
Until one night, the tension snaps.
Now we have a deal. Five lessons in seduction. No strings attached.
But he’s not just good in bed. He spoils me with thoughtful gifts and supports my dreams. For the first time, I feel like I belong.
Except…this was never meant to last. I’m his employee. He has kids to protect. And neither of us can afford to make a mistake.
The more nights we spend tangled up together though, the harder it is to pretend it’s just physical. Because I’m not only falling for my boss—I’m falling for the man whose kids have stolen my heart.
Tropes: single dad/nanny, runaway bride, forced proximity, spicy lessons, she's his daughter's skating coach, confession of all secrets, love notes, found family
Lauren Blakely
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A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s cute but spicy. Lauren likes dogs, cake, and show tunes and is the vegetarian at your dinner party.
A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s cute but spicy. Lauren likes dogs, cake, and show tunes and is the vegetarian at your dinner party.
