Love and Hockey #5
Lauren Blakely
June 18, 2025
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
Hot hockey dad and a figure skater!
Sabrina Snow just blew up her wedding and took off. And she finds herself in a cozy bar with Tyler Falcon. He's a hockey player and the single dad of one of her skating students. Tyler has had a big crush on her for a while, but she had always been taken. But now, some alcohol, a failed wedding, and some secrets shared change things.
Sabrina is taking back her life and wants to know what it's like to be really wanted and satisfied. She has been controlled for too long, and her experience has been limited. She is ready to be bold and ask for what she needs. And she thinks Tyler is the man to get the job done. He is easygoing, supportive, understanding, and knows how to take care of things.
But the night ends differently, and romance and fantasies are squelched. They decide that forgetting is best and go on with their daily lives and jobs. She is just his daughter's skating coach and nothing more.
And then a new opportunity arises and puts them in even closer proximity. Living in his guest house, watching his kids, and trying to avoid temptation.
There’s just something about the devoted and caring, single dad who also happens to be a big, tall, burly, hot, and sexy hockey player who just makes the perfect hero. He’s so thoughtful, empathetic, and devoted, and he’s just trying to do the right thing for everyone, even if that means he doesn’t get what he really wants.
But unfortunately, for him, the more time he spends with her, the more it becomes more than just attraction and lust, but becomes more about feelings too. But he doesn’t want to hurt her or their working relationship, his kids, or his hockey career by having distractions. He’s always putting everybody else’s needs first.
And she’s in the same boat where she wants him and could see how wonderful he is, but at the same time doesn’t want to hurt her new job or the relationship with his daughter since she’s her skating coach. She’s also really trying hard to make a new life for herself, stand on her own two feet, and build her business. So no matter how much they like each other, they’re trying to resist, but they can only do that for so long before something is going to give.
And she’s in the same boat where she wants him and could see how wonderful he is, but at the same time doesn’t want to hurt her new job or the relationship with his daughter since she’s her skating coach. She’s also really trying hard to make a new life for herself, stand on her own two feet, and build her business. So no matter how much they like each other, they’re trying to resist, but they can only do that for so long before something is going to give.
The flirting game and sexual tension are strong in this one. Their chemistry is undeniable, and they just really like being in each other‘s company. When they’re not worrying about will we or won’t we?, their rapport is easy and they banter fabulously. But he’s also very attuned to her and tries to give her things that he knows she didn’t get from her own upbringing. He’s wonderful with sweet words and thoughtful gifts, and just trying to include her in a family environment. But having someone care about her and do nice things for her, and also finding such a supportive group of girlfriends is all new to Sabrina. She grew up as an only child under immense pressure and expectations.
I enjoyed the figure skater/hockey player combo, and then you’ve got the nanny/boss and the found family. The sneaking around and forbidden element was just enough, and all those confusing feelings while trying to either resist or put a physical relationship into a set of rules that are hard not to break. There’s enough conflict and anxiety with the characters in the situation, and sometimes their intrusive thoughts and doubts affect their communication.
It’s sweet, hot, witty, flirty, and heartwarming, but it also has some underlying deeper trauma and fears that had to be dealt with. It totally sucked me in. I loved seeing the trust, care, and support growing between the characters. Tyler is the ultimate book boyfriend. He takes care of everyone around him, and he’s thoughtful, caring, generous, and kind, but is also flirty, dirty, and charismatic. Sabrina has never felt unconditional support until she finds him, his kids, and her new group of friends. But I liked that despite that, she was still friendly, caring, and capable, even when she didn’t always feel like she was good enough.
This story made my heart happy and sad at alternate times with just enough tension and angst. And it also brought the spice. There’s a big sense of camaraderie between all of the girlfriends, the guy gang, and the team. I loved the cameos from other couples, and I am looking forward to more in this series and with these characters.
Tyler is shocked to be propositioned by Sabrina on the night of her wedding. He is attracted to her, and watches her when she’s teaching his daughter to skate, but he can’t take advantage of her emotional state. He is a single dad, balancing his hockey career with primary custody of his two kids. When he needs a new nanny, he leaves it to his mom to find the perfect person for the job, never imagining she would hire Sabrina.
These two had chemistry, even before that night at the bar, but the timing was wrong. They are both harboring secret crushes and the tension this creates is *chef’s kiss*. Tyler has always kept his attraction a secret because Sabrina was in a relationship. The night of 1000 confessions, as they dubbed that first night, has Tyler considering all the things Sabrina wants and all the ways he wants to be the one to give them to her. But when she becomes his nanny, the timing is wrong once again.
The supporting cast in this one is full of hilarity. Tyler’s kids are fantastic. Navigating a co-parenting situation and having been attached to their previous nanny, the kids go through a natural adjustment phase, testing Sabrina’s patience and creativity in order to connect with her new charges. I also loved the driver who picks Sabrina up from her wedding (and several other quick getaways throughout). And as usual, Blakely includes animals and animal fostering to give some extra emotional moments.
This was a seriously fun forced proximity, single dad/nanny story. From the very beginning I was hooked on this couple, these kids, and the journey they were on together. I always love Lauren’s hockey romances and this one added a figure skating aspect that had me feeling Cutting Edge vibes (if they had done much skating together) and feeling all the feels!
Tyler
“Are you a troublemaker, Tyler?”
“Maybe I was. Back in the day,” I say.
Her lips shift in amusement. “Think you’ve still got it in you?”
“Those are fighting words.” I drum my fingers on the counter. “How about trouble in the form of a spicy margarita? Can you handle the heat?”
Her smile falters for just a second, as if I’d asked about more than a drink. “I don’t even know.”
Her blue eyes flicker with something deeper—with uncertainty, maybe, or a vulnerability she’s trying to hide. Or possibly…interest. Since for a moment her gaze lingers on me, roams over me, like she’s trying to figure something out.
Like what she wants me to do to her tonight?
What the f*&k?
That is not a thought I should be entertaining. Too bad my lust-struck mind is already running away with the image, imagining what could have been if she wasn’t wearing that damn ring. Not today, brain. Stand down.
“Let’s find out,” I say, as I resume the role of runaway-bride wingman. I change her order, and when the bartender returns with the margarita, we toast again, her with her cocktail, me with my lager, which—as Ike promised—is incredibly good.
“To the opposite of today.”
“The opposite,” she echoes, her gaze…curious. But I don’t want to read into it even though I want to read everything into it.
(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
(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.
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?
Lauren Blakely
Website | Facebook | X | Instagram | Goodreads | Bookbub | Amazon | Newsletter | TikTok
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.
