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Off the Ice #0.5
The Girl in the Hockey Jersey
When a mystery girl wearing my hockey jersey and a matching toque to mine tumbles out of a post-game party, I have to follow her. When we end up at the bar, trading stories and laughs? I have to make a play for the rest of the night. That she only wants one night, and doesn't want to give me her name…those are problems for the morning. And that tiny niggle of worry? I have to ignore it...
The Girl in the Hockey Jersey is a novella-length, one-night stand prequel that takes place two years before The Playing Game, a full-length novel!
The Girl in the Hockey Jersey is a novella-length, one-night stand prequel that takes place two years before The Playing Game, a full-length novel!
43 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 16, 2023
403 people are currently reading
1147 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
March 6, 2023
Tropes:
- sports (hockey)
- one night stand
After a chance meeting with an influencer while waiting in line for the bathroom scores her an invite to a post game party with a bunch of hockey players from Arizona, Harper stupidly agrees to attend. Until she arrives and realizes how much she hates hockey players and dips out, only to run into the one thing she was trying to avoid: a cocky, hot hockey player.
Kieran bumps into the snarky hockey hating beauty and does his best to charm her pants off, loving every minute spent with the sharp tongued mystery woman keeping him on his toes. After a couple drinks and some hate flirting, Kieran ends up following her to her room for some no strings fun.
Where they have the best sex of their loves, but Harper refuses to give her name and no matter how easy it would be to keep this thing with Kieran going, she cuts their night short. & just like that she’s a memory that he can’t get out of his head.
This was short and fun, so ready to read The Playing Game! I need their HEA nooowwww!
- sports (hockey)
- one night stand
After a chance meeting with an influencer while waiting in line for the bathroom scores her an invite to a post game party with a bunch of hockey players from Arizona, Harper stupidly agrees to attend. Until she arrives and realizes how much she hates hockey players and dips out, only to run into the one thing she was trying to avoid: a cocky, hot hockey player.
Kieran bumps into the snarky hockey hating beauty and does his best to charm her pants off, loving every minute spent with the sharp tongued mystery woman keeping him on his toes. After a couple drinks and some hate flirting, Kieran ends up following her to her room for some no strings fun.
Where they have the best sex of their loves, but Harper refuses to give her name and no matter how easy it would be to keep this thing with Kieran going, she cuts their night short. & just like that she’s a memory that he can’t get out of his head.
This was short and fun, so ready to read The Playing Game! I need their HEA nooowwww!
Read
February 19, 2023FREE prequel story for Harper and Kieran from The Playing Game! Get it free everywhere ebooks are read: http://geni.us/TGitHJ
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January 9, 2024
I didn't know this was a 0.5 to a full novel, since I downloaded it when it was free on the kindle store. But it was so good I'm definitely reading The Playing Game immediately!
March 7, 2023
❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
Little prelude to what hopes to be a good book, this definitely gives you the feeling that you’re waiting for something terrific.
Can’t wait
💋💋
Little prelude to what hopes to be a good book, this definitely gives you the feeling that you’re waiting for something terrific.
Can’t wait
July 17, 2023
Written well but
I wish when Author's write books they would let you know that this end in a cliffhanger or the fact that there is a HFN ending where you have to read the next book to see what happens with the couple.
We don't even get the heroines name. He just calls her Jersey girl throughout the short read.
I wish when Author's write books they would let you know that this end in a cliffhanger or the fact that there is a HFN ending where you have to read the next book to see what happens with the couple.
We don't even get the heroines name. He just calls her Jersey girl throughout the short read.
Read
July 9, 2023Some awkward phrasing that jolted me out of it, but overall a good short that interests me in the full novel (enough to add to the TBR, but not to immediately spend the $7)
January 12, 2024
It was only like 43 pages…
It was a good prequel, though I think this could’ve been summed up in a prologue in the actual book.
3/5⭐️
It was a good prequel, though I think this could’ve been summed up in a prologue in the actual book.
3/5⭐️
October 8, 2023
3.5 Stars
Disclaimer: Please remember that these are my opinions and if you feel differently, that’s okay. Thanks!
Notes: POV = 1st person, FMC & MMC
Overall: It was cute, but kind of cringey.
Main Characters: Harper (FMC) seems sweet. She also seems like she might be a little “not like other girls”-esque but I liked her enough that I’m going to read the first book in the series, so hopefully she proves me wrong. Kieran (MMC) was funny… by accident. There were at least three times that he said something that was supposed to be serious or sexy and I giggled.
Plot/Story: This is a super quick novella for the first book in the series, Playing the Game. This is just about their original one night stand before the first book began. There was one thing that really bothered me. Kieran plays for Arizona… they were in Buffalo, both of these things lead me to believe that they were in America (specifically Buffalo, NY) but Kieran mentions he likes playing at Buffalo because lots of Canadians go to the game. Is there a Buffalo in Canada that I don’t know about? Because Buffalo and Arizona are both American teams, why would Canadians go to their games? Also, I’m a Buffalo Sabres fan in real life and I can tell you, as a season pass holder, I’ve never met a Canadian at that arena.
General: I am not a big fan of authors blaming one or two beers (beers!!) over someone choosing something they normally wouldn’t have. I’d support characters more for doing fun stuff for no reason than blaming a little bit of beer that definitely didn't get them drunk.
Disclaimer: Please remember that these are my opinions and if you feel differently, that’s okay. Thanks!
Notes: POV = 1st person, FMC & MMC
Overall: It was cute, but kind of cringey.
Main Characters: Harper (FMC) seems sweet. She also seems like she might be a little “not like other girls”-esque but I liked her enough that I’m going to read the first book in the series, so hopefully she proves me wrong. Kieran (MMC) was funny… by accident. There were at least three times that he said something that was supposed to be serious or sexy and I giggled.
Plot/Story: This is a super quick novella for the first book in the series, Playing the Game. This is just about their original one night stand before the first book began. There was one thing that really bothered me. Kieran plays for Arizona… they were in Buffalo, both of these things lead me to believe that they were in America (specifically Buffalo, NY) but Kieran mentions he likes playing at Buffalo because lots of Canadians go to the game. Is there a Buffalo in Canada that I don’t know about? Because Buffalo and Arizona are both American teams, why would Canadians go to their games? Also, I’m a Buffalo Sabres fan in real life and I can tell you, as a season pass holder, I’ve never met a Canadian at that arena.
General: I am not a big fan of authors blaming one or two beers (beers!!) over someone choosing something they normally wouldn’t have. I’d support characters more for doing fun stuff for no reason than blaming a little bit of beer that definitely didn't get them drunk.
March 13, 2023
I absolutely LOVE this meet-cute / prequel to Kieran & Harper for a few reasons. It was fun and sexy and it gives you an insight on their personalities and how well they spark together.
However, the main reason I LOVE this prequel actually has nothing to do with the story itself and everything to do with the fact that’s it’s not included in their full-length story, The Playing Game, because don’t you just hate it when you invest in a prequel (I know this one is free but they aren’t always) just to have it show up in the full-length novel? Just me? Okay …
Also, it's not a dramatic introduction where you go all up in arms because "OMG, WHY ARE THERE NO MORE WORDS?" but more of a subtle "ahhhhh, can't wait to meet these two again soon" (with a dreamy smile on your face) :)
Anywho, I heart these two and reading this prequel brought me JOY, so you should probably read it.
However, the main reason I LOVE this prequel actually has nothing to do with the story itself and everything to do with the fact that’s it’s not included in their full-length story, The Playing Game, because don’t you just hate it when you invest in a prequel (I know this one is free but they aren’t always) just to have it show up in the full-length novel? Just me? Okay …
Also, it's not a dramatic introduction where you go all up in arms because "OMG, WHY ARE THERE NO MORE WORDS?" but more of a subtle "ahhhhh, can't wait to meet these two again soon" (with a dreamy smile on your face) :)
Anywho, I heart these two and reading this prequel brought me JOY, so you should probably read it.
April 16, 2023
The couple: Kieran and Harper
Romance trope: sports; one night stand
Length: 43 pages
Plot: Kieran doesn't like hockey, not really, but she still goes to the games. After the latest game, she ill-advisedly hooks up with one of the players, Kieran, but shuts down talk of anything more. It'll be a couple of years before he sees her again, but he'd know her anywhere. The man at her side? Not so much.
Commentary: Great story - there was enough spice and enough mystery to make me one-click the full novel. I desperately need to know why she goes to the hockey games, what's going on with her hate for players, and who's the man next to her.
Next book in the series: The Playing Game
Romance trope: sports; one night stand
Length: 43 pages
Plot: Kieran doesn't like hockey, not really, but she still goes to the games. After the latest game, she ill-advisedly hooks up with one of the players, Kieran, but shuts down talk of anything more. It'll be a couple of years before he sees her again, but he'd know her anywhere. The man at her side? Not so much.
Commentary: Great story - there was enough spice and enough mystery to make me one-click the full novel. I desperately need to know why she goes to the hockey games, what's going on with her hate for players, and who's the man next to her.
Next book in the series: The Playing Game
June 15, 2023
Book 105 of 2023
Apparently I didn’t read the right hockey book. 😒🤣
I did like this prequel to the primary story line that will come next. There’s some intrigue…like why is Harper so against hockey players? Why does she love the game, but not the players? Why doesn’t she have a team she roots for? Why is her connection with Kieran so palpable, yet she is adamant about divulging any personal details to him? So many questions (that I assume will be answered in book 2).
Format: ebook (KU)
Apparently I didn’t read the right hockey book. 😒🤣
I did like this prequel to the primary story line that will come next. There’s some intrigue…like why is Harper so against hockey players? Why does she love the game, but not the players? Why doesn’t she have a team she roots for? Why is her connection with Kieran so palpable, yet she is adamant about divulging any personal details to him? So many questions (that I assume will be answered in book 2).
Format: ebook (KU)
March 8, 2023
Even though this is a prequel to The Playing Game, I don’t think I would have enjoyed it as much if so read it first. I liked know what these events were going to lead to for these two characters, and also getting more insight about the event that got the ball rolling for their relationship.
April 2, 2023
This was a cute and short intro to Kieran and Harper! I loved the banter between the two and there was definitely a lot of chemistry there. I cant wait to see what happens when these two eventually meet up again and what Harpers deal with Pro Hockey Players is.
July 22, 2024
Hot Preview Of Things To Come
That was a fun little interlude. Love the little snippets of detail as if we were in their little bubble but we, the reader, still don’t know the details. Perfect quick read.
That was a fun little interlude. Love the little snippets of detail as if we were in their little bubble but we, the reader, still don’t know the details. Perfect quick read.
March 12, 2023
Wow!
Very quick and to the point. Hot! Was not expecting that when I started reading but now I need more!!!
Very quick and to the point. Hot! Was not expecting that when I started reading but now I need more!!!
October 26, 2023
Cute! I’m ready for the full story!
December 30, 2023
Te kort om in te komen. 50% smut.
Maar reading goal nu wel gehaald 🤩
Maar reading goal nu wel gehaald 🤩
December 5, 2023
This was a great one and I am SUPER eager to continue this series! One night stands? Count me in. Hockey romance? PUT ME IN COACH. The spice was great, the book contained my all time favorite line.. "I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding" and the characters were super enjoyable! Short, sweet and to the point! Was shocked how good it was and I'm glad I picked it up!
March 22, 2023
Short, sweet, and enough to make me want to read the next book.
January 27, 2025
Tropes:
Hockey
One night stand
Loved 😍:
- spicy read that is fun and fast to read
- hooked me enough I instantly bought the full length novel about this couple that comes next
Liked ☺️:
- the characters are opposites attract & im excited to see how they play off each other in their full novel
Drawback 🤷🏻♀️:
- not really but this is very much an introductory novella and the characters story is not finished. It is not a novella that is concluded by the end
Spice:
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Range & Rep:
Adult novella
Hockey
One night stand
Loved 😍:
- spicy read that is fun and fast to read
- hooked me enough I instantly bought the full length novel about this couple that comes next
Liked ☺️:
- the characters are opposites attract & im excited to see how they play off each other in their full novel
Drawback 🤷🏻♀️:
- not really but this is very much an introductory novella and the characters story is not finished. It is not a novella that is concluded by the end
Spice:
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Range & Rep:
Adult novella
October 29, 2023
❗️SPOILERS ❗️
🔥 “My safe word is avocado. You can do anything you want to me.”
____________________________________________
This novella is very short, and quick. It's the prequel to their full length novel "the playing game." This follows the night Kieran and Haper met, and their one night stand. I can't wait for their next book.
Harper is a hockey fan that goes to games wearing the away teams jerseys. She just so happens to be wearing Kieran Marsh's jersey when she walks into an after party. When he approached her, she tried to reject him which made him more intrigued. He convinces her to have a drink with him, where they talk about everything and nothing. She's not supposed to be into hockey players, which has something to do with her father and its never mentioned here. So she doesn't want to tell him her name. Even though they agree to go back to her room together. Almost immediately Kieran realizes that he won't be able to have just one night, but Harper is insistent. But, at least they'll always have their night of fun together, and Kieran's dirty mouth.
____________________________________________
🔥 "But I want inside you. So have a little taste of me, and then climb up here and fuck me.”
🔥 “My safe word is avocado. You can do anything you want to me.”
____________________________________________
This novella is very short, and quick. It's the prequel to their full length novel "the playing game." This follows the night Kieran and Haper met, and their one night stand. I can't wait for their next book.
Harper is a hockey fan that goes to games wearing the away teams jerseys. She just so happens to be wearing Kieran Marsh's jersey when she walks into an after party. When he approached her, she tried to reject him which made him more intrigued. He convinces her to have a drink with him, where they talk about everything and nothing. She's not supposed to be into hockey players, which has something to do with her father and its never mentioned here. So she doesn't want to tell him her name. Even though they agree to go back to her room together. Almost immediately Kieran realizes that he won't be able to have just one night, but Harper is insistent. But, at least they'll always have their night of fun together, and Kieran's dirty mouth.
____________________________________________
🔥 "But I want inside you. So have a little taste of me, and then climb up here and fuck me.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2023
This was a delicious little teaser novella to get everyone reacquainted with Ms. York's Ainsley Booth pen name. I've seen several people gripe about just making it a prologue in The Playing Game, but this was a beautiful setup to increase anticipation for the full novel. Now, I did save (hoard) the novella until the full book came out, but I also knew I was going to read both. ((shrugs)) This free novella gave people a chance to read this pen name and see if they would like her voice like this instead of paying for a full novel.
Anywho, I gobbled this up very late at night. I had to restrain myself from starting The Playing Game right after I finished. I'm dying to learn more about both Kiernan and Harper. They hit it off so well. I loved the finish of the novella. This was so good.
Anywho, I gobbled this up very late at night. I had to restrain myself from starting The Playing Game right after I finished. I'm dying to learn more about both Kiernan and Harper. They hit it off so well. I loved the finish of the novella. This was so good.
March 19, 2023
Oh so short and sweet!
Oh man I can see how this story is going to go! This is a new to me author and I’m already hooked! I am already rooting for Keiran and PRAYING “Jersey Girl” doesn’t turn out to be a mega bee-yah-tch! I love the no holds barred attack of each other in the hotel room. How nothing was off limits 🥵😮💨 and how they both felt that spark signaling this is more than a hook up but most importantly, how very differently they both reacted to said spark!
All in all a nice little bite to “wet your whistle” and get you eager to read the full meal deal! Ainsley Booth seems like she could be added to my favorites list with little prodding. We shall see so on to the next!
Oh man I can see how this story is going to go! This is a new to me author and I’m already hooked! I am already rooting for Keiran and PRAYING “Jersey Girl” doesn’t turn out to be a mega bee-yah-tch! I love the no holds barred attack of each other in the hotel room. How nothing was off limits 🥵😮💨 and how they both felt that spark signaling this is more than a hook up but most importantly, how very differently they both reacted to said spark!
All in all a nice little bite to “wet your whistle” and get you eager to read the full meal deal! Ainsley Booth seems like she could be added to my favorites list with little prodding. We shall see so on to the next!
January 28, 2024
𝙸 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚑𝚒𝚐𝚑 𝚑𝚘𝚙𝚎𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚘𝚗𝚎.
The Girl in the Hockey Jersey by Ainsley Booth
⭐️⭐️
🌶️
Unfortunately this was the type of novella that I try to avoid. 😅 When it was pack your kindle day— EVERYONE — and I mean everyone was saying this was the one to “buy”. I was excited, I love me a good hockey romance book. But I unfortunately just couldn’t get past the writing. It wasn’t my personal cup of tea. Her description for actions and scenes really took me out of the book 🫣, and then I know it was a novella to build for the first book of the series — but the whole confusing concept of Harper hating hockey but not hating hockey and can’t let him know her name mixed in with a whole lot of other confusing plot pieces had me frustrated and ready to say this won’t be the series for me.
The Girl in the Hockey Jersey by Ainsley Booth
⭐️⭐️
🌶️
Unfortunately this was the type of novella that I try to avoid. 😅 When it was pack your kindle day— EVERYONE — and I mean everyone was saying this was the one to “buy”. I was excited, I love me a good hockey romance book. But I unfortunately just couldn’t get past the writing. It wasn’t my personal cup of tea. Her description for actions and scenes really took me out of the book 🫣, and then I know it was a novella to build for the first book of the series — but the whole confusing concept of Harper hating hockey but not hating hockey and can’t let him know her name mixed in with a whole lot of other confusing plot pieces had me frustrated and ready to say this won’t be the series for me.
March 2, 2023
Holy Hot Hockey Sticks!
Make sure to check out this little taste of Kieran & Harper’s story! It is hot as sin & their banter was amazing! She’s prickly & he’s hot! He catches her leaving a party, intrigued by her, he joins her for a drink. The rest, as they say, is history. One night, that is all she’s allowing herself. She can’t let herself fall for him, and he is definitely fall worthy! This was a very quick, super sexy, steamy read & I can’t wait for their full story to drop! Read this short, today!!
Make sure to check out this little taste of Kieran & Harper’s story! It is hot as sin & their banter was amazing! She’s prickly & he’s hot! He catches her leaving a party, intrigued by her, he joins her for a drink. The rest, as they say, is history. One night, that is all she’s allowing herself. She can’t let herself fall for him, and he is definitely fall worthy! This was a very quick, super sexy, steamy read & I can’t wait for their full story to drop! Read this short, today!!
December 31, 2024
One Night of Letting Go -
I enjoyed reading this short, steamy romance that ends on an angst-filled cliffhanger and sets the stage for a captivating romance story, as per the blurb for ‘The Playing Game’. I usually don’t like reading stories that en£ on a cliffhanger, but this one left me eagerly looking forward to reading the next book in the series, hoping to finding out if the characters got a chance at a happily ever after.
I received a copy of this book free and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed reading this short, steamy romance that ends on an angst-filled cliffhanger and sets the stage for a captivating romance story, as per the blurb for ‘The Playing Game’. I usually don’t like reading stories that en£ on a cliffhanger, but this one left me eagerly looking forward to reading the next book in the series, hoping to finding out if the characters got a chance at a happily ever after.
I received a copy of this book free and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 20, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I downloaded this novella during a SYKD, and it called my name to read this week. It hit every note I want a prequel novella to. It made me interested in the characters and their choices, made me root for them despite their circumstances, and it made me immediately download the couple’s full story that takes place two years later. I love the Arizona connection, and I love that the reader knows something Kieran, the MMC, doesn’t. I can’t wait to keep reading their story and see how they reconnect.
I downloaded this novella during a SYKD, and it called my name to read this week. It hit every note I want a prequel novella to. It made me interested in the characters and their choices, made me root for them despite their circumstances, and it made me immediately download the couple’s full story that takes place two years later. I love the Arizona connection, and I love that the reader knows something Kieran, the MMC, doesn’t. I can’t wait to keep reading their story and see how they reconnect.
January 16, 2026
I mean it did what it was supposed to. It did slightly leave me wanting a little more but how much can you really do in a prequel? What really stopped me from pursuing the rest of the series is the main character. She’s a little exasperating. There weren’t many prominent characters in the 40 pages that I could really say were a favorite. Since it was literally just the main characters. The female one was annoying and the man, he’s a man ig. He was a little funny tho and did his shit if you know what I mean
February 22, 2023
Not another prequel!
This one is my own fault, I1-clicked it because it was free,and by an author that I've read before, but without reading the whole blurb this time. This isn't even a novella. They meet, they flirt, they have sex, the end---until the "real" book.
Please, authors--- quit teasing and wasting our time and often money by publishing a prequel and the main story separately. Just make it a prologue and be done with it.
This one is my own fault, I1-clicked it because it was free,and by an author that I've read before, but without reading the whole blurb this time. This isn't even a novella. They meet, they flirt, they have sex, the end---until the "real" book.
Please, authors--- quit teasing and wasting our time and often money by publishing a prequel and the main story separately. Just make it a prologue and be done with it.
March 3, 2023
Awesome Read!!!!
I really enjoyed reading The Girl in the Hockey Jersey!!!! All about Harper Robert’s a nurse who hates hockey & Kieran Marsh a hockey god. Kieran plays for Arizona and was recently traded from Montreal. There in Buffalo on one of the coldest nights, and they win!!! Read about Harper & Kieran and the hottest night ever!!! Lots of emotion and some incredible toe curling moments!!! Definite Read!!!!
I really enjoyed reading The Girl in the Hockey Jersey!!!! All about Harper Robert’s a nurse who hates hockey & Kieran Marsh a hockey god. Kieran plays for Arizona and was recently traded from Montreal. There in Buffalo on one of the coldest nights, and they win!!! Read about Harper & Kieran and the hottest night ever!!! Lots of emotion and some incredible toe curling moments!!! Definite Read!!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews