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Heartbreak Hockey #1
Heartbreak Hockey
MAKE ME CHASE YOU. MAKE ME WORK FOR YOU.
Jack
Rhett and I were supposed to grow old together, but he double broke my heart when he forced me to choose between marrying him and hockey. I had to watch his sever in two as I felt mine breaking apart. Worst day you’ll ever have, lemme tell yah.
I chose hockey and if I’m choosing hockey, I’m doing it all the way and leaving love out of the equation, maybe forever. No point getting involved with someone else just to break both of our hearts.
Slept with my new coach, though. It was on accident, okay? It’s not like I knew he was gonna be my coach when it happened. I do know that if it happens again, my heart will be in jeopardy. I’ve just got to get through the season without falling back into bed with him.
Annoying the ever-loving heck outta him should do the trick, eh?
Mercy
People depend on me. They need me. That’s what my life has been about since I was ten years old. The one time I stepped outside of that was such a colossal failure, I vowed never to do it again.
My sister cursed me. She said that one day I’d pay for my situationship ways by falling so in love with a man that I’d do anything for him.
I hate that she was right.
My heart’s decided Jack’s mine and now that I’ve fallen, I’ll never be the same. I might have to live the rest of my life as half a person.
He’s on my hockey team and I can’t avoid him. I’m drawn to him. Can’t stop thinking about him. What do you do when you know in your heart someone’s yours, but you can’t have them?
This real Canadian adventure features possessive MCs, an age-gap romance, enemies-to-lovers vibes, and the sweetest gay hockey romance you’ll ever read. Oh, and of course, it contains the caretaking dynamic Mock (S. Legend and Canadian) is known best for. It’s a verified member of the Hot Pink Peaches Club.
Jack
Rhett and I were supposed to grow old together, but he double broke my heart when he forced me to choose between marrying him and hockey. I had to watch his sever in two as I felt mine breaking apart. Worst day you’ll ever have, lemme tell yah.
I chose hockey and if I’m choosing hockey, I’m doing it all the way and leaving love out of the equation, maybe forever. No point getting involved with someone else just to break both of our hearts.
Slept with my new coach, though. It was on accident, okay? It’s not like I knew he was gonna be my coach when it happened. I do know that if it happens again, my heart will be in jeopardy. I’ve just got to get through the season without falling back into bed with him.
Annoying the ever-loving heck outta him should do the trick, eh?
Mercy
People depend on me. They need me. That’s what my life has been about since I was ten years old. The one time I stepped outside of that was such a colossal failure, I vowed never to do it again.
My sister cursed me. She said that one day I’d pay for my situationship ways by falling so in love with a man that I’d do anything for him.
I hate that she was right.
My heart’s decided Jack’s mine and now that I’ve fallen, I’ll never be the same. I might have to live the rest of my life as half a person.
He’s on my hockey team and I can’t avoid him. I’m drawn to him. Can’t stop thinking about him. What do you do when you know in your heart someone’s yours, but you can’t have them?
This real Canadian adventure features possessive MCs, an age-gap romance, enemies-to-lovers vibes, and the sweetest gay hockey romance you’ll ever read. Oh, and of course, it contains the caretaking dynamic Mock (S. Legend and Canadian) is known best for. It’s a verified member of the Hot Pink Peaches Club.
468 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 26, 2023
584 people are currently reading
2075 people want to read
About the author
S. Legend
25 books356 followersSome of you know her as Mock, others as S. Legend, or Miss S. She welcomes all names but will often go by Mock, a name given to her by her readers.
Mock is an ambitious creative, weaving the most precious aspects of her soul into stories. She is an architect, building fascinating worlds, designed from inquiry, rooted in worldly wonderings. It’s an intuitive process where she is the scribe, the translator, the conduit.
It helped that storytelling was the language spoken at home. One simply didn’t say, “We have an ant infestation,” in Mock’s family it was, “I was on my way to the living room, when a peculiar ant crossed my path. I looked to my right, a suspicious line of them marched toward the pantry. In that moment I knew; my kitchen was under siege.” The natural flow of conversation always took this form.
And so.
When Mock wrote her first novel, she didn’t plan it chapter by chapter, there was no outline, no “plotting” to speak of. But she didn’t “pants” it either, she didn’t make it up as she went along. She knew how the story felt, where it curved in places and hollowed in others; she knew the destination it rushed toward. Instead of orchestrating, she let the world inspire her, and held space for the words to come, trusting the characters knew what they were doing. All she had to do was tell a story, as she always had done; like breathing.
This is her peace, her healing and solace: Gifts better shared.
Mock’s works are the comfort you seek when you need to come home. Her unique writing style will take you, wayfaring reader, to unexpected destinations.
She always says, “I’m not in the business of making up stories, I couldn’t if I tired. I’m lucky enough to get picked to share someone else’s story when I ask a question to the universe. Someone answers; I write it down.”
Mock is an ambitious creative, weaving the most precious aspects of her soul into stories. She is an architect, building fascinating worlds, designed from inquiry, rooted in worldly wonderings. It’s an intuitive process where she is the scribe, the translator, the conduit.
It helped that storytelling was the language spoken at home. One simply didn’t say, “We have an ant infestation,” in Mock’s family it was, “I was on my way to the living room, when a peculiar ant crossed my path. I looked to my right, a suspicious line of them marched toward the pantry. In that moment I knew; my kitchen was under siege.” The natural flow of conversation always took this form.
And so.
When Mock wrote her first novel, she didn’t plan it chapter by chapter, there was no outline, no “plotting” to speak of. But she didn’t “pants” it either, she didn’t make it up as she went along. She knew how the story felt, where it curved in places and hollowed in others; she knew the destination it rushed toward. Instead of orchestrating, she let the world inspire her, and held space for the words to come, trusting the characters knew what they were doing. All she had to do was tell a story, as she always had done; like breathing.
This is her peace, her healing and solace: Gifts better shared.
Mock’s works are the comfort you seek when you need to come home. Her unique writing style will take you, wayfaring reader, to unexpected destinations.
She always says, “I’m not in the business of making up stories, I couldn’t if I tired. I’m lucky enough to get picked to share someone else’s story when I ask a question to the universe. Someone answers; I write it down.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 280 reviews
September 6, 2025
For the majority of the time I kept asking myself WTF am I reading, but I couldn't stop, couldn't put the book down!
The characters and the plot were completely nuts, so OTT and entirely unbelievable but somehow it really worked for me. It was batshit crazy and dramatic throughout, but by the end I loved Jack and Mercy.
I really don't understand why I liked this so much 😂 I'm genuinely excited for the next car crash of a book too!
The characters and the plot were completely nuts, so OTT and entirely unbelievable but somehow it really worked for me. It was batshit crazy and dramatic throughout, but by the end I loved Jack and Mercy.
I really don't understand why I liked this so much 😂 I'm genuinely excited for the next car crash of a book too!
February 28, 2024
4.5 ⭐️ Really should have read this sooner.
I love characters like Jack - Confident, bratty, funny, mischievous, golden retriever with a small side of sad boi. see Shane Hollander (Heated Rivalry)
”Also, what a little asshole. Does he have to be so cocky and smug, especially while looking like that? Like he dropped off the cover of GQ for hockey players. I want to hate everything about him, but it’s hard when I also think he’s the most attractive creature the world has ever concocted”
This has everything you could want from a hockey romance and MORE.
- large families and found family
- strong sense of place (Vancouver, Canada)
- all the fave hockey content
- lite spanking
- hot banter
- three dimensional, lovable, endearing side characters (Dirk, Dash, the Alderchuck twins - I’m looking at you)
- acceptance and love
- Age gap (12 years)
- Coach x Player
- Sex in hockey skates
- Mutually Possessive
- Dual POV
Fan cast: Jack Hughes as Jack Leslie
I love characters like Jack - Confident, bratty, funny, mischievous, golden retriever with a small side of sad boi. see Shane Hollander (Heated Rivalry)
”Also, what a little asshole. Does he have to be so cocky and smug, especially while looking like that? Like he dropped off the cover of GQ for hockey players. I want to hate everything about him, but it’s hard when I also think he’s the most attractive creature the world has ever concocted”
This has everything you could want from a hockey romance and MORE.
- large families and found family
- strong sense of place (Vancouver, Canada)
- all the fave hockey content
- lite spanking
- hot banter
- three dimensional, lovable, endearing side characters (Dirk, Dash, the Alderchuck twins - I’m looking at you)
- acceptance and love
- Age gap (12 years)
- Coach x Player
- Sex in hockey skates
- Mutually Possessive
- Dual POV
Fan cast: Jack Hughes as Jack Leslie
Read
April 21, 2024Too long, too many characters, and not enough chemistry.
So even if I’m probably giving up on it too soon (at 12%), I don’t feel like I’m missing out a lot.
Firstly: I’ve read what the author said in her note, about the Canadian “ehhh” she uses, and the deliberate “wrong” choice in where to put her semicolons. While I can get used to the first thing, “wrong” semicolons drive me nuts. I stumble over stuff like that, and I desperately want a marker to correct it. And no, I’m no teacher irl, it’s just a pet peeve 😬
Next thing that threw me off: SO MAY CHARACTERS. I swear, Jack (the hockey player) has at least 6 close friends (and an ex), each with his own personality and background, and Mercy (the coach) has around 9 siblings.
THAT’S TOO MUCH FOR MY LITTLE BRAIN.
Lastly, they randomly hook up in a bar and immediately go kinky. We’re told they’re very hot for each other, but that’s the problem - I didn’t feel an ounce of that. All the rough tumbling, the sudden urge for Jack to call Mercy “sir”. Idk. It didn’t feel real to me, if you know what I mean.
Seeing that the book is 470 pages long and I barely got over 10% in 2 days without feeling annoyed half of the time, I decided to cut it short. Maybe it gets a bit better later on, but I just don’t care enough to find out 🤷♀️
So even if I’m probably giving up on it too soon (at 12%), I don’t feel like I’m missing out a lot.
Firstly: I’ve read what the author said in her note, about the Canadian “ehhh” she uses, and the deliberate “wrong” choice in where to put her semicolons. While I can get used to the first thing, “wrong” semicolons drive me nuts. I stumble over stuff like that, and I desperately want a marker to correct it. And no, I’m no teacher irl, it’s just a pet peeve 😬
Next thing that threw me off: SO MAY CHARACTERS. I swear, Jack (the hockey player) has at least 6 close friends (and an ex), each with his own personality and background, and Mercy (the coach) has around 9 siblings.
THAT’S TOO MUCH FOR MY LITTLE BRAIN.
Lastly, they randomly hook up in a bar and immediately go kinky. We’re told they’re very hot for each other, but that’s the problem - I didn’t feel an ounce of that. All the rough tumbling, the sudden urge for Jack to call Mercy “sir”. Idk. It didn’t feel real to me, if you know what I mean.
Seeing that the book is 470 pages long and I barely got over 10% in 2 days without feeling annoyed half of the time, I decided to cut it short. Maybe it gets a bit better later on, but I just don’t care enough to find out 🤷♀️
April 2, 2024
I think this has to be the most ridiculous m/m hockey romance I've read so far. The story was terrible, packed with heteronormativity - for a book with mostly all male characters who are all gay! - and the main love story was as not-believable as they get.
No way in hell is this happening to two guys in the hockey world, not to mention the coach who was a complete asshole, at least for my taste.
I could write an essay about how ridiculous the whole story is, but I'll try to be short.
🔵 Coach/player
🟡 Age gap - 12 years 24/36
🟢 Ex boyfriend fiasco
🟠 Big family, obsessive caretaker
🟣 All male characters except for one shitty mother (of course)
🟡 Everyone's end goal are kids and marriage
🔵 Nothing is believable
🌶️ A lot of smut, but damn was it boring, I skipped most of it, can you believe it?? The spanking thing wasn't spanking; t/b --> both vers
Damn, this was, I mean I have no words, this is still fresh, I'm still like what the hell
The story starts off with Jack, the young hockey player who's in a serious relationship with a very rich guy from a prominent Canadian family and also a hockey player Rhett.
"From the darkness, like an eighties cartoon villain, Rhett steps out. “Hey, Jack.”" 😆
Now, these guys are like 21 years old when they start their relationship and Rhett is dead set on Jack becoming his stay at home husband (!??) so when Rhett gets to be drafted to the NHL, Jack was supposed to stay at home and be a caretaker to their multiple kids (??!).
“Jack Leslie, let me make you an Elkington. We’ll have lots of tiny hockey players together.”
I mean - what?? Are you serious?? But fine, for the sake of the story I rolled with it, although it was clear none of these two characters were domestic or wanted to be.
Jack then breaks things off and goes on to play hockey in the AHL, he's got his good friends who play with him - they're all gay, like that's not even a question in this book, literally everyone is gay - and get this : these guys rent a condo where they have multiple rooms but share one room and one bed.
Where they all sleep naked.
Yeah.
So that little info is just thrown in there to make us believe how these guys don't really fuck each other every night, they're just really good friends who sleep naked together - but okay.
Jack then meets Mercy at the beginning of the season, the one night stand who was a great lay and is now his new coach.
Mercy is a chapter all by himself. Man, this guy was such a terrible character that I've literally read almost 500 pages of him having cringe dialogues with Jack, having no chemistry with him whatsoever and to top all that off he comes across as a mediocre man who likes to spank hot guys and he's pretty damn boring about it. It was like left and right spanking with no purpose whatsoever, this guy was a fucking amateur and ugh, just terrible, he was a terrible character.
Mercy was so damn unprofessional as a coach, it's not even funny. It wasn't a hot age gap romance, no, hell no, this guy took things to another level and was coming on to a player openly while at work and Jack and his buddies were being childish about it. It was cringe, so were their dialogues.
"I smile like a crocodile. “Hi, Jack.”"
"Oh, Jesus fucking Christ. My dick goes insta- solid."
"His breathing slows. It’s getting hot in here. My dick might melt from the heat."
"I smile and smirk at the same time. A smile smirk."
"I set my inner animal free and take him how he likes to be taken."
"Reducing a large, strong man to a rag doll is a feat that makes the inner beast preen."
"Can we exclusively fuck? That on the table? My generation calls it a situationship."
“Yeah. Oh God, this is so embarrassing. I’m a grown man. I shouldn’t need a spanking for anything other than sexy times.”
"If I’m over your lap it’s because I wanna be."
“Right, all your navy ninja skills.”
“Krav Ma Ga.”
"I’m gonna get my heart broken, aren’t I? So be it. I reach for his balls."
"It isn’t the B thing with those other three letters after it ending in an M."
“Now fuck the hell outta me before my dick gets as old as you are.”
"Are you back there writing poetry about how your dick is a hot dog and my ass is the bun?”
“It was a banana split sundae and you’re ruining this for me.”
“Sorry, Gordon Ramsey.”"
[image error]
Holy crap. Seriously, holy crap.
Don't EVEN get me started on Mercy's dad and the kids he's having left and right and Mercy is the guy who's taking care of them! I mean a 36-year old guy who turned down his NHL career because his dad can't keep it in his pants and he just leaves every new kid to Mercy. Are you kidding me?? And the dad is not even a bad character?? Oh, he's a hippie, he loves us, blah blah blah, but the mom who left is the bad guy - the dad who's given the family 200 kids he doesn't take care of - he's the good guy here.
Imagine the situation in reverse, imagine the mom having babies left and right and then leaving them in the care of the oldest son. And Mercy is taking care of all these kids IN CANADA! I mean can this get even more ridiculous???
The last baby the dad made is in the process of being left with the family by the bad mom - again - and the dad is the hero again for keeping it, but he's not really doing anything, in fact he's just giving everyone Mercy's phone number so they can talk about all the details with him. And this guy is, again, as stupid as it gets.
"I know my answer without having to think about it. “I’ll adopt the baby and they’re fucking mine.” Dad isn’t having this one."
"In an instant, Sandy goes from being my dad’s girlfriend to the mother of my child— even if she has no wish to be a mother— and I’ll look after her as such. Financially and emotionally anyway."
"He nods. “Thanks for agreeing to take the baby, Merc. I was hoping you would. I want them with us, but… I’m not a good father.”
“Sorry, but not really. You’re an awesome Grampa though. You love the hell out of all of us. You’re fun. You have a level of positivity I’ll never possess.”"
Hear that? He's an awesome grandpa! So positive with all the free kids he's handing down to the older ones because he doesn't want to take care of them.
"Dad is a big kid and that had its perks growing up, especially when I was a teenager wanting to stay out all night at parties. It was only looking after children that ever put a kink in those plans, not Dad who was also out late at said parties."
I mean, this is a joke. A complete joke.
What an idiotic story!
No chemistry.
Jack had more chemistry with Rhett than with Mercy.
Mercy and Jack's relationship seemed like hard work.
Like bringing together two characters who weren't really meant to be. Completely incompatible.
Jack just decides he'll have a huge family that'll be his to finance mostly with Mercy, because he's a family guy suddenly and taking care of his boyfriend's dad's baby.
Tell me which guy would willingly throw themselves into the shitshow of the Meyer family? At 24 years old??
This shit reminds me so much of a m/f relationship, it literally goes by the same formula.
No fucking way, I hated it.
I am curious about Rhett though, so I'll read his book too.
No way in hell is this happening to two guys in the hockey world, not to mention the coach who was a complete asshole, at least for my taste.
I could write an essay about how ridiculous the whole story is, but I'll try to be short.
🔵 Coach/player
🟡 Age gap - 12 years 24/36
🟢 Ex boyfriend fiasco
🟠 Big family, obsessive caretaker
🟣 All male characters except for one shitty mother (of course)
🟡 Everyone's end goal are kids and marriage
🔵 Nothing is believable
🌶️ A lot of smut, but damn was it boring, I skipped most of it, can you believe it?? The spanking thing wasn't spanking; t/b --> both vers
Damn, this was, I mean I have no words, this is still fresh, I'm still like what the hell
The story starts off with Jack, the young hockey player who's in a serious relationship with a very rich guy from a prominent Canadian family and also a hockey player Rhett.
"From the darkness, like an eighties cartoon villain, Rhett steps out. “Hey, Jack.”" 😆
Now, these guys are like 21 years old when they start their relationship and Rhett is dead set on Jack becoming his stay at home husband (!??) so when Rhett gets to be drafted to the NHL, Jack was supposed to stay at home and be a caretaker to their multiple kids (??!).
“Jack Leslie, let me make you an Elkington. We’ll have lots of tiny hockey players together.”
I mean - what?? Are you serious?? But fine, for the sake of the story I rolled with it, although it was clear none of these two characters were domestic or wanted to be.
Jack then breaks things off and goes on to play hockey in the AHL, he's got his good friends who play with him - they're all gay, like that's not even a question in this book, literally everyone is gay - and get this : these guys rent a condo where they have multiple rooms but share one room and one bed.
Where they all sleep naked.
Yeah.
So that little info is just thrown in there to make us believe how these guys don't really fuck each other every night, they're just really good friends who sleep naked together - but okay.
Jack then meets Mercy at the beginning of the season, the one night stand who was a great lay and is now his new coach.
Mercy is a chapter all by himself. Man, this guy was such a terrible character that I've literally read almost 500 pages of him having cringe dialogues with Jack, having no chemistry with him whatsoever and to top all that off he comes across as a mediocre man who likes to spank hot guys and he's pretty damn boring about it. It was like left and right spanking with no purpose whatsoever, this guy was a fucking amateur and ugh, just terrible, he was a terrible character.
Mercy was so damn unprofessional as a coach, it's not even funny. It wasn't a hot age gap romance, no, hell no, this guy took things to another level and was coming on to a player openly while at work and Jack and his buddies were being childish about it. It was cringe, so were their dialogues.
"I smile like a crocodile. “Hi, Jack.”"
"Oh, Jesus fucking Christ. My dick goes insta- solid."
"His breathing slows. It’s getting hot in here. My dick might melt from the heat."
"I smile and smirk at the same time. A smile smirk."
"I set my inner animal free and take him how he likes to be taken."
"Reducing a large, strong man to a rag doll is a feat that makes the inner beast preen."
"Can we exclusively fuck? That on the table? My generation calls it a situationship."
“Yeah. Oh God, this is so embarrassing. I’m a grown man. I shouldn’t need a spanking for anything other than sexy times.”
"If I’m over your lap it’s because I wanna be."
“Right, all your navy ninja skills.”
“Krav Ma Ga.”
"I’m gonna get my heart broken, aren’t I? So be it. I reach for his balls."
"It isn’t the B thing with those other three letters after it ending in an M."
“Now fuck the hell outta me before my dick gets as old as you are.”
"Are you back there writing poetry about how your dick is a hot dog and my ass is the bun?”
“It was a banana split sundae and you’re ruining this for me.”
“Sorry, Gordon Ramsey.”"
[image error]
Holy crap. Seriously, holy crap.
Don't EVEN get me started on Mercy's dad and the kids he's having left and right and Mercy is the guy who's taking care of them! I mean a 36-year old guy who turned down his NHL career because his dad can't keep it in his pants and he just leaves every new kid to Mercy. Are you kidding me?? And the dad is not even a bad character?? Oh, he's a hippie, he loves us, blah blah blah, but the mom who left is the bad guy - the dad who's given the family 200 kids he doesn't take care of - he's the good guy here.
Imagine the situation in reverse, imagine the mom having babies left and right and then leaving them in the care of the oldest son. And Mercy is taking care of all these kids IN CANADA! I mean can this get even more ridiculous???
The last baby the dad made is in the process of being left with the family by the bad mom - again - and the dad is the hero again for keeping it, but he's not really doing anything, in fact he's just giving everyone Mercy's phone number so they can talk about all the details with him. And this guy is, again, as stupid as it gets.
"I know my answer without having to think about it. “I’ll adopt the baby and they’re fucking mine.” Dad isn’t having this one."
"In an instant, Sandy goes from being my dad’s girlfriend to the mother of my child— even if she has no wish to be a mother— and I’ll look after her as such. Financially and emotionally anyway."
"He nods. “Thanks for agreeing to take the baby, Merc. I was hoping you would. I want them with us, but… I’m not a good father.”
“Sorry, but not really. You’re an awesome Grampa though. You love the hell out of all of us. You’re fun. You have a level of positivity I’ll never possess.”"
Hear that? He's an awesome grandpa! So positive with all the free kids he's handing down to the older ones because he doesn't want to take care of them.
"Dad is a big kid and that had its perks growing up, especially when I was a teenager wanting to stay out all night at parties. It was only looking after children that ever put a kink in those plans, not Dad who was also out late at said parties."
I mean, this is a joke. A complete joke.
What an idiotic story!
No chemistry.
Jack had more chemistry with Rhett than with Mercy.
Mercy and Jack's relationship seemed like hard work.
Like bringing together two characters who weren't really meant to be. Completely incompatible.
Jack just decides he'll have a huge family that'll be his to finance mostly with Mercy, because he's a family guy suddenly and taking care of his boyfriend's dad's baby.
Tell me which guy would willingly throw themselves into the shitshow of the Meyer family? At 24 years old??
This shit reminds me so much of a m/f relationship, it literally goes by the same formula.
No fucking way, I hated it.
I am curious about Rhett though, so I'll read his book too.
July 6, 2023
It hit the “in the mood for a hockey romance” spot! Better yet this is a new-to-me author so I’m looking forward to continuing the series.
April 18, 2024
3,5 stars.
I've never read a contemporary mm book that was so whacky/OTT, yet still sweet and enjoyable.
I'll try to keep this short, because I think either you hate this, or you love this, or like me you don't want to think too much as to why you didn't hate it.
The things that stood out the most to me (each one on the OTT-side of the possible variations) :
-possessiveness on Mercy's side (but counterbalanced by constant checking-in and reassurance of consent),
-awesome family of siblings, despicable parents (Mercy's family), awesome parents and brothers (Jack's),
-great group of friends (Jack's hockey friends), with zero need for personal space (their sleeping arrangement as flatmates is sleeping naked in one big bed, all 5 of them),
-zero homophobia, zero issues regarding a coach/player - relationship,
-spanking, lots of spanking (there's even some excurse/psycological explanation on spanking as non sexual stress-relieving-method thrown in),
-insta lust that develops into a forceful need to be together, but thankfully Jack and Mercy slowly and steadily are building a strong emotional connection, too.
Everything concerning Rhett (Jack's ex) left me a bit apprehensive.. but I know I usually don't like an ex playing any part in a romance. Rhett's role, his character and his interactions with Jack were handled in a unique way, and overall (in the book's OTT way) made sense.
I enjoyed the middle part of the story the most, Jack and Mercy falling in love, catching up emotionally.
3,5 stars rounded up, because of the lack of stupid misunderstandings (they TALKED surprisingly well and open about issues) and the fact that there was no dramatic third act breakup (if you asked Jack, at least, 😂).
I've never read a contemporary mm book that was so whacky/OTT, yet still sweet and enjoyable.
I'll try to keep this short, because I think either you hate this, or you love this, or like me you don't want to think too much as to why you didn't hate it.
The things that stood out the most to me (each one on the OTT-side of the possible variations) :
-possessiveness on Mercy's side (but counterbalanced by constant checking-in and reassurance of consent),
-awesome family of siblings, despicable parents (Mercy's family), awesome parents and brothers (Jack's),
-great group of friends (Jack's hockey friends), with zero need for personal space (their sleeping arrangement as flatmates is sleeping naked in one big bed, all 5 of them),
-zero homophobia, zero issues regarding a coach/player - relationship,
-spanking, lots of spanking (there's even some excurse/psycological explanation on spanking as non sexual stress-relieving-method thrown in),
-insta lust that develops into a forceful need to be together, but thankfully Jack and Mercy slowly and steadily are building a strong emotional connection, too.
Everything concerning Rhett (Jack's ex) left me a bit apprehensive.. but I know I usually don't like an ex playing any part in a romance. Rhett's role, his character and his interactions with Jack were handled in a unique way, and overall (in the book's OTT way) made sense.
I enjoyed the middle part of the story the most, Jack and Mercy falling in love, catching up emotionally.
3,5 stars rounded up, because of the lack of stupid misunderstandings (they TALKED surprisingly well and open about issues) and the fact that there was no dramatic third act breakup (if you asked Jack, at least, 😂).
April 3, 2023
I just love Mock and her writing style, she never fails to make me laugh, then swoon, then cry and then get a hot flush from the spice!!!
This book is about Mercy who has become “Dad” to his siblings, there are 9 of them in total and the older ones help to share the load. He’s out for a much needed break when he ends up sharing a night with Jack a Jock from the bar he’s in, he don’t want the connection they made to end but in the morning his man has gone.
An opportunity comes up for Mercy to coach hockey, he can’t really turn down the job as they need the money. But the guilt of leaving all the kids behind is real!!
Jack has been struggling with a break up and his career not taking off like he thought it would, he’s giving it one last try to make it to the NFL and hoping the new coach can get him there, until he finds out the new coach is his one night stand he didn’t want to leave!!!
I absolutely loved this book!! I Love the banter that they all have, I love the emotions in this book, the way Merc just took on his family, even though it ment him having to grow up real fast and become Dad to the ever growing family. I love the chaos of the family dynamic, it’s loud and fun, but also real life and they had to deal with their “real dad” being around but not actually being the parent they all needed. I love all the different the kids and how the older ones help raise the family and all supported each other when it come to Merc needing to leave to coach.
I love Jack and his group of friends, their bond was amazing and the support they gave each other with no judgement so lovely to see. I loved that Jack was a big beefcake of a jock but become putty in Mercy’s hands, but also how vulnerable he was and how he opened up to Merc and voiced his needs.
I know there’s a lot of love from me for this book but I was so immersed in it and it felt real and like I was part of their journey, I absolutely can’t wait for the next book and the ones to come after!! Mock never fails to deliver a good spank!!
Fucking Rhett-that is all!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Book content/
🏒Age Gap
🏒Hockey Player/Coach
🏒Forced Proximity
🏒Possessive MCs
🏒I Fell in Love for the First Time and it Hurts
🏒Found Family
🏒Large Family
This book is about Mercy who has become “Dad” to his siblings, there are 9 of them in total and the older ones help to share the load. He’s out for a much needed break when he ends up sharing a night with Jack a Jock from the bar he’s in, he don’t want the connection they made to end but in the morning his man has gone.
An opportunity comes up for Mercy to coach hockey, he can’t really turn down the job as they need the money. But the guilt of leaving all the kids behind is real!!
Jack has been struggling with a break up and his career not taking off like he thought it would, he’s giving it one last try to make it to the NFL and hoping the new coach can get him there, until he finds out the new coach is his one night stand he didn’t want to leave!!!
I absolutely loved this book!! I Love the banter that they all have, I love the emotions in this book, the way Merc just took on his family, even though it ment him having to grow up real fast and become Dad to the ever growing family. I love the chaos of the family dynamic, it’s loud and fun, but also real life and they had to deal with their “real dad” being around but not actually being the parent they all needed. I love all the different the kids and how the older ones help raise the family and all supported each other when it come to Merc needing to leave to coach.
I love Jack and his group of friends, their bond was amazing and the support they gave each other with no judgement so lovely to see. I loved that Jack was a big beefcake of a jock but become putty in Mercy’s hands, but also how vulnerable he was and how he opened up to Merc and voiced his needs.
I know there’s a lot of love from me for this book but I was so immersed in it and it felt real and like I was part of their journey, I absolutely can’t wait for the next book and the ones to come after!! Mock never fails to deliver a good spank!!
Fucking Rhett-that is all!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Book content/
🏒Age Gap
🏒Hockey Player/Coach
🏒Forced Proximity
🏒Possessive MCs
🏒I Fell in Love for the First Time and it Hurts
🏒Found Family
🏒Large Family
April 2, 2023
Miss Mock has entered the hockey romance chat!
Even though this is a hockey romance, the way that the story unfolds is endearingly domestic. It’s giving slice-of-life but with spanking and sticks (hockey and…otherwise). And with the way these boys swing 'em around, there’s definitely a risk of someone getting their eye poked out both on and off the ice. Wouldn't have it any other way.
Jack, some time after ending an almost-engagement that he still can’t let go of, goes home one night with a man that causes sparks to fly. After a rough season, Jack is ready to start anew - new coach and all. And who does that coach happen to be? Ding, ding, ding! You guessed it, folks! The spank-master himself, Mercy Meyer a.k.a. the man who was supposed to be and remain Jack’s glorious one-night stand.
As hard as Jack tries to keep it that way, our resident brat can't help but bend the rules. Lucky for us, Merc is always ready to bend Jack over his knee.
I know this is a contemporary novel but to me there's just a touch of fantasy in that I hardly ever meet men as in touch with their feelings as the characters in this book. It's highly unrealistic but I don't find that I care very much. I would normally only attribute that quality to our MCs since they're the stars of the show but even our side characters wear their hearts on their sleeve and it's adorable. I'm already seeing MCs for future books in the series and lemme tell ya, I'm excited!
As Miss Mock says, her CW list is usually "the book before the book" so reading a work with hardly any warnings was definitely a surprise - but an entirely pleasant one! To me (in my totally unbiased opinion) that just shows how versatile she is as an author!
If you're looking for an MM hockey romance with low-angst but all the fluff and enough heat to melt all the ice in a rink, look no further.
Thank you to Mock for the ARC! All thoughts are my own.
Even though this is a hockey romance, the way that the story unfolds is endearingly domestic. It’s giving slice-of-life but with spanking and sticks (hockey and…otherwise). And with the way these boys swing 'em around, there’s definitely a risk of someone getting their eye poked out both on and off the ice. Wouldn't have it any other way.
Jack, some time after ending an almost-engagement that he still can’t let go of, goes home one night with a man that causes sparks to fly. After a rough season, Jack is ready to start anew - new coach and all. And who does that coach happen to be? Ding, ding, ding! You guessed it, folks! The spank-master himself, Mercy Meyer a.k.a. the man who was supposed to be and remain Jack’s glorious one-night stand.
As hard as Jack tries to keep it that way, our resident brat can't help but bend the rules. Lucky for us, Merc is always ready to bend Jack over his knee.
I know this is a contemporary novel but to me there's just a touch of fantasy in that I hardly ever meet men as in touch with their feelings as the characters in this book. It's highly unrealistic but I don't find that I care very much. I would normally only attribute that quality to our MCs since they're the stars of the show but even our side characters wear their hearts on their sleeve and it's adorable. I'm already seeing MCs for future books in the series and lemme tell ya, I'm excited!
As Miss Mock says, her CW list is usually "the book before the book" so reading a work with hardly any warnings was definitely a surprise - but an entirely pleasant one! To me (in my totally unbiased opinion) that just shows how versatile she is as an author!
If you're looking for an MM hockey romance with low-angst but all the fluff and enough heat to melt all the ice in a rink, look no further.
Thank you to Mock for the ARC! All thoughts are my own.
August 17, 2024
"I feel you in my bones, Jack. When we’re together. When we’re apart. It’s become an ache. I’m so fucking pathetic for you."
Ok so I reread this and I honestly need to rewrite my OG review bc I love this series 😂
MERCY MEYER THE MAN THAT YOU AREEEEE! I love them I'm sorrrrrryyyyy. I'm a sucker for an older sibling that takes care of the entire family bc their parents kinda suck.
If you like bratty himbo MCs with golden retriever energy paired with super possessive stern older men, then you'll probably love this. Jack is a little lost at times, but god, I love him and all his friends, and I kinda hope everyone who breathes in this series ends up with a story. They are all so cute, except for maybe Rhett, but he grows on you, and honestly, I love him and Logan (and their book), so on reread, I'm giving him a pass. These books are so camp and unserious and fun, even if they are a little long. I will eat them up every damn time.
I need Casey and Sutter now, or I might die
Ratings:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶 🌶 🌶
Ok so I reread this and I honestly need to rewrite my OG review bc I love this series 😂
MERCY MEYER THE MAN THAT YOU AREEEEE! I love them I'm sorrrrrryyyyy. I'm a sucker for an older sibling that takes care of the entire family bc their parents kinda suck.
If you like bratty himbo MCs with golden retriever energy paired with super possessive stern older men, then you'll probably love this. Jack is a little lost at times, but god, I love him and all his friends, and I kinda hope everyone who breathes in this series ends up with a story. They are all so cute, except for maybe Rhett, but he grows on you, and honestly, I love him and Logan (and their book), so on reread, I'm giving him a pass. These books are so camp and unserious and fun, even if they are a little long. I will eat them up every damn time.
I need Casey and Sutter now, or I might die
Ratings:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶 🌶 🌶
August 25, 2025
Heartbreak Hockey by S. Legend
Format: Audiobook
Narrators: Joe Arden and Zach Johnson
📖 4
🎙 5
🌶 4
Tropes
💙 MM Hockey Romance
💙 Grumpy x Sunshine
💙 Coach x Athlete
💙 Age Gap
Favorite Character: THEO!!! How freaking adorable was this little guy?!
Audiobook Non-Spoiler Review 🎧
New to me, author S. Legend knocked this one out of the park (wrong sport, decent pun). I love hockey. Yes, you read that correctly. I am a huge hockey fan, so naturally, I enjoy hockey romance books. Throw in MM romance, and I am sold. Heartbreak Hockey is the perfect combination of these two tropes. I listened to the audio for this one, and the experience was magnificent. It’s performed in duet by Joe Arden and Zach Johnson. I giggled, I swooned, I most definitely blushed, and I may have even shed a few tears. Oh, and I fell in love with sweet little Theo. I just wanted to squeeze him. IYKYK.
Heartbreak Hockey is book one in the series and follows Mercy, the grumpy coach, and Jack, the heartbroken hockey player. This book was funny, entertaining, had the right amount of angst, and so, so spicy. There’s this an underlining forbidden aspect to the story that I found intriguing, with Mercy being Jacks’ coach however, it wasn’t a major focal point and did not steal from the main plot. Rhett, the ex-boyfriend (gross), also gave the story a love-triangle vibe, but without the triangle… (that makes no sense written out but in my head, it did, so I’m keeping it).
If you’re looking for a romance book that is going to make you laugh, giggle, and put a smile on your face, while simultaneously giving you anxiety and making you want to pull your hair out, this is the audiobook for you. Joe Arden once again gave an amazing performance not only as Mercy but an entire family, including Theo, the cutest kiddo EVER. If you’ve never heard him voice a kid, you are missing out. It’s adorable. This was the first book I’ve listened to by Zach Johnson, and let me say, he was perfect as the arrogant but sweet Jack. Together, both narrators elevated this book to a 5-star listen for me.
Format: Audiobook
Narrators: Joe Arden and Zach Johnson
📖 4
🎙 5
🌶 4
Tropes
💙 MM Hockey Romance
💙 Grumpy x Sunshine
💙 Coach x Athlete
💙 Age Gap
Favorite Character: THEO!!! How freaking adorable was this little guy?!
Audiobook Non-Spoiler Review 🎧
New to me, author S. Legend knocked this one out of the park (wrong sport, decent pun). I love hockey. Yes, you read that correctly. I am a huge hockey fan, so naturally, I enjoy hockey romance books. Throw in MM romance, and I am sold. Heartbreak Hockey is the perfect combination of these two tropes. I listened to the audio for this one, and the experience was magnificent. It’s performed in duet by Joe Arden and Zach Johnson. I giggled, I swooned, I most definitely blushed, and I may have even shed a few tears. Oh, and I fell in love with sweet little Theo. I just wanted to squeeze him. IYKYK.
Heartbreak Hockey is book one in the series and follows Mercy, the grumpy coach, and Jack, the heartbroken hockey player. This book was funny, entertaining, had the right amount of angst, and so, so spicy. There’s this an underlining forbidden aspect to the story that I found intriguing, with Mercy being Jacks’ coach however, it wasn’t a major focal point and did not steal from the main plot. Rhett, the ex-boyfriend (gross), also gave the story a love-triangle vibe, but without the triangle… (that makes no sense written out but in my head, it did, so I’m keeping it).
If you’re looking for a romance book that is going to make you laugh, giggle, and put a smile on your face, while simultaneously giving you anxiety and making you want to pull your hair out, this is the audiobook for you. Joe Arden once again gave an amazing performance not only as Mercy but an entire family, including Theo, the cutest kiddo EVER. If you’ve never heard him voice a kid, you are missing out. It’s adorable. This was the first book I’ve listened to by Zach Johnson, and let me say, he was perfect as the arrogant but sweet Jack. Together, both narrators elevated this book to a 5-star listen for me.
August 18, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶️🌶️🌶️
I discovered this author not too long ago on TikTok. I’m always down for an mm hockey romance so I jumped right in and Mock certainly didn’t disappoint.
She didn’t have to tell me she’s a true Canadian hockey fan because the proof was in the pudding. This girl knows her hockey and I was loving all the eh’s.
Not to mention all the possessive, alpha, you’re mine and I want all the cuddles after even more hot as hell sex. Seriously, these two burned up the sheets and whatever else they got down on.
Plus all the family from both sides, so many lovable characters that you were drowning in adorable fluff. I even liked Rhett and part of me was kinda rooting for him. Well, it was a bit of a rollercoaster because I found him guilty so early but he was still hot. I can’t wait for his book!
Lastly I’m highly intrigued by a bunch of hockey players sharing a bed in the buff. Can I get more of that playing in my head?
🌶️🌶️🌶️
I discovered this author not too long ago on TikTok. I’m always down for an mm hockey romance so I jumped right in and Mock certainly didn’t disappoint.
She didn’t have to tell me she’s a true Canadian hockey fan because the proof was in the pudding. This girl knows her hockey and I was loving all the eh’s.
Not to mention all the possessive, alpha, you’re mine and I want all the cuddles after even more hot as hell sex. Seriously, these two burned up the sheets and whatever else they got down on.
Plus all the family from both sides, so many lovable characters that you were drowning in adorable fluff. I even liked Rhett and part of me was kinda rooting for him. Well, it was a bit of a rollercoaster because I found him guilty so early but he was still hot. I can’t wait for his book!
Lastly I’m highly intrigued by a bunch of hockey players sharing a bed in the buff. Can I get more of that playing in my head?
April 22, 2024
the fact that this author calls hair “hockey lettuce” will be my 13th reason
July 30, 2023
4.5 stars. I love hockey MM romances so when this book was recommended to me I knew I’d absolutely give it a try! I’m so glad I did as I really enjoyed it! The book is also set in Canada and as a Canadian I loved that so much!
Mercy and Jack have a very interesting journey from meeting to HEA! It was not what I was expecting at all. It loved how it went from a one-night stand to enemies-to-lovers to coach/player to lovers. There’s a lot involved and I felt it was a little much at times but overall I really enjoyed the story! Jack’s ex-boyfriend Rhett plays a big part in this story with a will they or won’t they so be prepared for that.
Part of the chapters from Mercy’s POV are written via a journal entry and I found I really enjoyed that concept. It was neat finding his thoughts on things that happened. And the last entry in the journal was beautiful! I loved watching these two grow and learn together. And Mercy’s extended family! They were amazing!! I loved all the scenes that included them and I love how they welcomed Jack into their lives!
There’s more to come in this series and I’m definitely interested in reading the stories about Jack’s teammates!! This is my first book by this author but definitely won’t be my last!
Mercy and Jack have a very interesting journey from meeting to HEA! It was not what I was expecting at all. It loved how it went from a one-night stand to enemies-to-lovers to coach/player to lovers. There’s a lot involved and I felt it was a little much at times but overall I really enjoyed the story! Jack’s ex-boyfriend Rhett plays a big part in this story with a will they or won’t they so be prepared for that.
Part of the chapters from Mercy’s POV are written via a journal entry and I found I really enjoyed that concept. It was neat finding his thoughts on things that happened. And the last entry in the journal was beautiful! I loved watching these two grow and learn together. And Mercy’s extended family! They were amazing!! I loved all the scenes that included them and I love how they welcomed Jack into their lives!
There’s more to come in this series and I’m definitely interested in reading the stories about Jack’s teammates!! This is my first book by this author but definitely won’t be my last!
April 3, 2023
Sensational. Emotional. Made me laugh. Mostly, Heartbreak Hockey further solidified the fact I’d follow Mock anywhere - through the pits and bowels of hell - just to keep reading what her brain churns out / forces her to put to paper.
Jack and Mercy were so swoony.😩
Mercy’s log - his dedications to Jack… I mean… it had me in an absolute PUDDLE. I melted for this man so many times.
The found family, real family, team- all of it - had that trademark closeness and chaos that I love and know I’ll see in this authors writing.
And OMG BOOK TWO?!? *gimme hands* I NEED IT SO BAD OMMGGG
I got this book as an ARC, and will absolutely be buying physical copies, just as I have with the books before it
FRTC
Jack and Mercy were so swoony.😩
Mercy’s log - his dedications to Jack… I mean… it had me in an absolute PUDDLE. I melted for this man so many times.
The found family, real family, team- all of it - had that trademark closeness and chaos that I love and know I’ll see in this authors writing.
And OMG BOOK TWO?!? *gimme hands* I NEED IT SO BAD OMMGGG
I got this book as an ARC, and will absolutely be buying physical copies, just as I have with the books before it
FRTC
July 17, 2023
Tropes: coach/player, brat, age gap
Feels: 4/5
Steam*: 4.5/5
Kinks: spanking, brat
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content themes: other man drama (an ex, emotional drama, not cheating), childhood trauma from family drama, bad parents, abandonment by a parent, accidental baby acquisition, unsafe sex (Jack with various men off page)
Jack is 24, a gay AHL player. Hoping to be called up to the NHL. He's still not over his ex Rhett, who he broke up with many months ago because Rhett wanted him to be a stay-at-home house husband and give up his dream of playing in the NHL. Jack was really in love with Rhett, there were deep feelings there. They weren't a perfect match but there was real heartbreak.
Mercy is 36. He's never really had a relationship, he's only hooked up. He has a lot of trauma from his family drama. His mom left after having three kids with his dad. His dad was heartbroken and has kept chasing after relationships since then, having children with multiple women, but not being able to actually raise the children and leaving the raising of the children to his older children. They don't have a lot of money so Mercy is stressed and under pressure. Mercy used to coach hockey but he caved a family pressures, drank too much, slept around too much and lost his coaching job. He gets another chance at a coaching job at a time where another baby is on the way and he jumps at it, because it will earn the family more money.
During the summer/off season Mercy has a one night stand with Jack. A few months later they meet again, and surprise Mercy is now Jack's coach in the AHL. They both sleep with others during that time. When they meet again, Jack would be happy to get a repeat but Mercy wants to keep a professional distance. Jack is a brat and taunts Mercy for a while until they both cave.
It's an interesting coach /player relationship. A bunch of the teammates knew about their hookup in the off season and they don't really hide it from the rest of the players. Normally this type of thing would be a secret forbidden hookup. They're only really out about their relationship to the players.
I liked the banter and bratty moments in this book. I liked the obsessive and possessive feelings that they had for each other. I liked Mercy's family's thing about licking what's theirs and claiming it. That was funny, and sweet when Theo did it. There were some very funny and sweet moments. The Jack and Mercy dolls. Jack had a bunch of great quips. I like that Jack came from such a happy family and had a desire to have his own family. That family values made him a good match for Mercy with all of his family drama and obligations. Jack and Mercy as parents is adorable.
I wasn't a huge fan of a couple things. Some of my personal ick factors were triggered. For example unsafe sex, sex with other people after the main characters have slept together, someone gifting another person's seven kittens (never gift a pet to someone), all the Rhett drama. About Rhett, they weren't together, there was no cheating. He just took up so many pages in this story and I wanted the focus to be more on Jack and Mercy. Jack still had feelings about him and was having hurtful interactions with him that kind of come off as a betrayal emotionally when you're with a new partner. I also wasn't really a fan about the fact that they didn't really have a conversation about Jack taking the NHL job in New York while Mercy is working in BC and has so many family obligations in BC... Have a talk about being long distance. This seemed like a happy for now as opposed to a happily ever after, and really there is going to be a second book about these two main characters per the authors notes at the end of the book.
Even with all thay, everything aside from the Rhett drama was really just my personal stuff. The writing was good, the characters were vibrant, there was a good mix of humor and steam, the supporting characters of friends and family had depth.
I'm looking forward to the other books that are planned for this series.
Some notable moments:
"“I need to get back to my threesome. I’m totally getting laid tonight.” I move to leave. A powerful hand stops me. “Not happening, Leslie.” “You’re a fucking caveman, you know that?” Never mind how much I like cavemen. I have a damn type and Mercy’s got a weird ass claim on me. It’s a small one, but it feels like more. We’re not something and yet we’re not nothing. I was supposed to get better at having relationships, not worse. I’ve gone backward. He smirks. “Call me whatever the fuck you want. It’s still not happening.” Anger rises up my neck. How dare he tell me who I can and can’t let fuck me. “Then you’d better be planning to fuck me tonight.”'
"He leaves the Jack and Mercy Meyer dolls in random places in the condo in deviant positions. Though sometimes, when he’s had to leave early in the morning to head to his trainer, he’s left them holding hands on the nightstand with notes that range from honey sweet to filthy kinky."
"I might as well tell him. “No, I’m … well I’m having a baby, I guess.” Jack raises his brow. “There’s just no way there’s enough spunk left in you to impregnate someone when you’re done with me. Who’s giving you a baby? Or fuck, is it me? Am I pregnant, Merc?”"
"“You can kiss me any time you want. Even when you’re mad. Even when we’re unsure,” I remind him. I remember what my parents said. “We can love each other through a fight, y’know.” Is that a tear drizzling down his cheek? It’s hard to tell for sure with the shower water in the way and I don’t get to inspect him long enough to come to a conclusion. His lips slam to mine, while he remains careful of doing anything that might hurt my ribs."
*FYI, I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink."
Feels: 4/5
Steam*: 4.5/5
Kinks: spanking, brat
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content themes: other man drama (an ex, emotional drama, not cheating), childhood trauma from family drama, bad parents, abandonment by a parent, accidental baby acquisition, unsafe sex (Jack with various men off page)
Jack is 24, a gay AHL player. Hoping to be called up to the NHL. He's still not over his ex Rhett, who he broke up with many months ago because Rhett wanted him to be a stay-at-home house husband and give up his dream of playing in the NHL. Jack was really in love with Rhett, there were deep feelings there. They weren't a perfect match but there was real heartbreak.
Mercy is 36. He's never really had a relationship, he's only hooked up. He has a lot of trauma from his family drama. His mom left after having three kids with his dad. His dad was heartbroken and has kept chasing after relationships since then, having children with multiple women, but not being able to actually raise the children and leaving the raising of the children to his older children. They don't have a lot of money so Mercy is stressed and under pressure. Mercy used to coach hockey but he caved a family pressures, drank too much, slept around too much and lost his coaching job. He gets another chance at a coaching job at a time where another baby is on the way and he jumps at it, because it will earn the family more money.
During the summer/off season Mercy has a one night stand with Jack. A few months later they meet again, and surprise Mercy is now Jack's coach in the AHL. They both sleep with others during that time. When they meet again, Jack would be happy to get a repeat but Mercy wants to keep a professional distance. Jack is a brat and taunts Mercy for a while until they both cave.
It's an interesting coach /player relationship. A bunch of the teammates knew about their hookup in the off season and they don't really hide it from the rest of the players. Normally this type of thing would be a secret forbidden hookup. They're only really out about their relationship to the players.
I liked the banter and bratty moments in this book. I liked the obsessive and possessive feelings that they had for each other. I liked Mercy's family's thing about licking what's theirs and claiming it. That was funny, and sweet when Theo did it. There were some very funny and sweet moments. The Jack and Mercy dolls. Jack had a bunch of great quips. I like that Jack came from such a happy family and had a desire to have his own family. That family values made him a good match for Mercy with all of his family drama and obligations. Jack and Mercy as parents is adorable.
I wasn't a huge fan of a couple things. Some of my personal ick factors were triggered. For example unsafe sex, sex with other people after the main characters have slept together, someone gifting another person's seven kittens (never gift a pet to someone), all the Rhett drama. About Rhett, they weren't together, there was no cheating. He just took up so many pages in this story and I wanted the focus to be more on Jack and Mercy. Jack still had feelings about him and was having hurtful interactions with him that kind of come off as a betrayal emotionally when you're with a new partner. I also wasn't really a fan about the fact that they didn't really have a conversation about Jack taking the NHL job in New York while Mercy is working in BC and has so many family obligations in BC... Have a talk about being long distance. This seemed like a happy for now as opposed to a happily ever after, and really there is going to be a second book about these two main characters per the authors notes at the end of the book.
Even with all thay, everything aside from the Rhett drama was really just my personal stuff. The writing was good, the characters were vibrant, there was a good mix of humor and steam, the supporting characters of friends and family had depth.
I'm looking forward to the other books that are planned for this series.
Some notable moments:
"“I need to get back to my threesome. I’m totally getting laid tonight.” I move to leave. A powerful hand stops me. “Not happening, Leslie.” “You’re a fucking caveman, you know that?” Never mind how much I like cavemen. I have a damn type and Mercy’s got a weird ass claim on me. It’s a small one, but it feels like more. We’re not something and yet we’re not nothing. I was supposed to get better at having relationships, not worse. I’ve gone backward. He smirks. “Call me whatever the fuck you want. It’s still not happening.” Anger rises up my neck. How dare he tell me who I can and can’t let fuck me. “Then you’d better be planning to fuck me tonight.”'
"He leaves the Jack and Mercy Meyer dolls in random places in the condo in deviant positions. Though sometimes, when he’s had to leave early in the morning to head to his trainer, he’s left them holding hands on the nightstand with notes that range from honey sweet to filthy kinky."
"I might as well tell him. “No, I’m … well I’m having a baby, I guess.” Jack raises his brow. “There’s just no way there’s enough spunk left in you to impregnate someone when you’re done with me. Who’s giving you a baby? Or fuck, is it me? Am I pregnant, Merc?”"
"“You can kiss me any time you want. Even when you’re mad. Even when we’re unsure,” I remind him. I remember what my parents said. “We can love each other through a fight, y’know.” Is that a tear drizzling down his cheek? It’s hard to tell for sure with the shower water in the way and I don’t get to inspect him long enough to come to a conclusion. His lips slam to mine, while he remains careful of doing anything that might hurt my ribs."
*FYI, I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2025
4.5⭐️
It took me 84 years to finish it but I LOVED this book! And honestly, I love that it’s so thick, the story is really well-developed and so are the characters. Brat, found family, hockey players, age gap… I couldn’t ask for more!
Jack is a brat, so obviously, I adore him. He’s sunshiny, adorable and a little menace. Mercy is an actual angel. He’s such a caretaker, devoted to his family. He’d adopt the whole world if he could… except for kittens. Well, not all of them. Unless Jack asks him to!
Their dynamic is everything! Kinky but not too much, mostly playful and super hot. There’s a lot of spanking, but it’s more about the connection between them. And they’re honestly so cute together.
Now I’m so excited for Rhett and Logan’s book. Rhett is such a controlling little shit and Logan is an ungrateful brat. I CAN’T WAIT. It’s going to be amazing.
It took me 84 years to finish it but I LOVED this book! And honestly, I love that it’s so thick, the story is really well-developed and so are the characters. Brat, found family, hockey players, age gap… I couldn’t ask for more!
Jack is a brat, so obviously, I adore him. He’s sunshiny, adorable and a little menace. Mercy is an actual angel. He’s such a caretaker, devoted to his family. He’d adopt the whole world if he could… except for kittens. Well, not all of them. Unless Jack asks him to!
Their dynamic is everything! Kinky but not too much, mostly playful and super hot. There’s a lot of spanking, but it’s more about the connection between them. And they’re honestly so cute together.
Now I’m so excited for Rhett and Logan’s book. Rhett is such a controlling little shit and Logan is an ungrateful brat. I CAN’T WAIT. It’s going to be amazing.
March 31, 2023
"Someone had taken his fucking sunshine and sent it hurtling into the ocean, extinguishing his light forever and now we shared the darkness"
Star Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
POV: Dual, First Person
HEA: Yes
Spice Rating: 3/5 🔥🔥🔥
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
Overall Opinion
You could give me any hockey book and I most likely will love it to bits! This one was really great, my first read by Miss Mock and it for sure won't be my last. It was sweet and low angst and all-round deliciousness, but my goodness it was not short of the heat! Jack and Mercy were on fire together from the very beginning, unable to stay away from each despite their jobs and dislike for commitment. There is amazing friendships with side characters and a realistic storyline. Definitely one for the top hockey book lists!
Read if you like:
❣️ MM Romance
❣️ Hockey Player/Coach
❣️ Age Gap
❣️ Found Family
❣️ Forced Proximity
❣️ HEA
Trigger and Content Warnings: N/A
Star Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
POV: Dual, First Person
HEA: Yes
Spice Rating: 3/5 🔥🔥🔥
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
Overall Opinion
You could give me any hockey book and I most likely will love it to bits! This one was really great, my first read by Miss Mock and it for sure won't be my last. It was sweet and low angst and all-round deliciousness, but my goodness it was not short of the heat! Jack and Mercy were on fire together from the very beginning, unable to stay away from each despite their jobs and dislike for commitment. There is amazing friendships with side characters and a realistic storyline. Definitely one for the top hockey book lists!
Read if you like:
❣️ MM Romance
❣️ Hockey Player/Coach
❣️ Age Gap
❣️ Found Family
❣️ Forced Proximity
❣️ HEA
Trigger and Content Warnings: N/A
September 2, 2025
I appreciate when a book does not give the characters the same old conflicts we’ve read a million times. This story is about a hockey coach and a player with no one afraid to come out, no one worrying what the team will think, etc. And these two actually COMMUNICATE, which is becoming rare to read these days. This story was really good and kept me guessing how certain plots with an ex were going to be solved. Great start to the series and I can’t wait to read more.
April 10, 2023
I have a soft spot for sports romances & this hit all my spots! OMFG, Jack & Mercy were so hot. Plus you know what's the best? They were forbidden yet the ones close to them never made it feel like that!
I loved them & even tho I glossed over a few things, this series is sooo very exciting! I'm definitely re-reading this sometime in future when the next book comes out. Like I can't believe the pairing in next book 👀.
I loved them & even tho I glossed over a few things, this series is sooo very exciting! I'm definitely re-reading this sometime in future when the next book comes out. Like I can't believe the pairing in next book 👀.
August 16, 2023
4.5 Stars rounded up
RTC to come (eventually...)
RTC to come (eventually...)
November 13, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ This book is so much fun! Totally unrealistic, but I don’t care because both MMCs are so ridiculous yet somehow amazing, especially my sweet boy Jack❤️
October 27, 2024
Czy książka była momentami niedorzeczna? Jak najbardziej. Czy mi to przeszkadzało? Niezbyt. Choć były momenty, które sprawiały, że miałam dosyć. Zwłaszcza poczucie humoru, które kompletnie do mnie nie trafiało. Ale polubiłam bohaterów, ich szaloną historię i zdecydowanie czekam na obiecaną kontynuację.
June 23, 2024
Ta książka jest niedorzeczna na kilku poziomach, ale chyba właśnie dlatego mnie urzekła 😁
To oczywiście historia o hokeju - taka prawdziwa, w przeciwieństwie do tego, co ostatnio czytałam, czyli Prove It - dziejąca się w rzeczywistym świecie, z prawdziwymi bohaterami, życiowymi problemami i klapsami 😉 Ale jednocześnie to fantasy. Dlaczego? Bo orientacja seksualna nie ma w niej znaczenia. Żadnego. I to nie w taki sposób, jak w niektórych książkach - że nie ma homofobów, cała społeczność wspiera LGBTQ+, wszędzie wiszą tęczowe flagi. Nie. Najzwyczajniej w świecie nikogo to nie obchodzi, kto z kim śpi i kogo kocha. To normalne jak oddychanie. Nikt się nad tym nie zastanawia, bo nie ma nad czym. Nikt się nie boi powiedzieć rodzinie, że jest gejem/lesbijką/bi/etc. Nie ma coming outów, oświadczeń dla prasy, konferencji prasowych - bo po prostu nie są potrzebne.. Nikt się nie ukrywa - również w sporcie. Każdy bezproblemowo eksploruje swoją seksualność i o niej rozmawia. Ba, ma się wrażenie, że osoby ze społeczności LGBTQ+ przeważają. Po prostu jest jak jest. Proste.
Szalona koncepcja, czyste fantasy, ale jak fajnie się to czyta 😁
Do tego, nawet nie wiem kiedy, główni bohaterowie wrośli we mnie, zauroczyli mnie totalnie i nie mogłam się oderwać - choć książka specjalnie krótka nie jest 😁 I nie przeszkadzały mi nawet klapsy, które są ważną częścią związku Jacka i Mercy'ego.
Zakochałam się w pokręconej rodzinie Mercy'ego - dziewięcioro rodzeństwa, w wieku 5-36 lat, które pojawiło się na świecie w trzech "rzutach", których matkami są trzy różne kobiety - i każda z nich odeszła. Dziesiąte jest w drodze. Ojciec tych dzieciaków, który je kocha i każde kolejne wita na świecie jak pierwsze, długo wyczekiwane, ale który jest totalnie nieodpowiedzialny i który tak naprawdę na ojca się nie nadaje. To Mercy - jako najstarszy - jest głową rodziny. I razem z dwójką innych, najstarszych z pierwszego "rzutu", wychowuje pozostałych. A kasy ciągle brak... Ale rodzeństwo kocha się bezwzględnie i bezwarunkowo, i kocha także tego swojego ojca. Jest chaos, naprawdę duży chaos, ale to kolejna rzecz, która mi nie przeszkadzała, bo znowu ich interakcje mnie zauroczyły 😁
Tak, szalona w pewien sposób książka, ale podobała mi się i lecę dalej 😁
To oczywiście historia o hokeju - taka prawdziwa, w przeciwieństwie do tego, co ostatnio czytałam, czyli Prove It - dziejąca się w rzeczywistym świecie, z prawdziwymi bohaterami, życiowymi problemami i klapsami 😉 Ale jednocześnie to fantasy. Dlaczego? Bo orientacja seksualna nie ma w niej znaczenia. Żadnego. I to nie w taki sposób, jak w niektórych książkach - że nie ma homofobów, cała społeczność wspiera LGBTQ+, wszędzie wiszą tęczowe flagi. Nie. Najzwyczajniej w świecie nikogo to nie obchodzi, kto z kim śpi i kogo kocha. To normalne jak oddychanie. Nikt się nad tym nie zastanawia, bo nie ma nad czym. Nikt się nie boi powiedzieć rodzinie, że jest gejem/lesbijką/bi/etc. Nie ma coming outów, oświadczeń dla prasy, konferencji prasowych - bo po prostu nie są potrzebne.. Nikt się nie ukrywa - również w sporcie. Każdy bezproblemowo eksploruje swoją seksualność i o niej rozmawia. Ba, ma się wrażenie, że osoby ze społeczności LGBTQ+ przeważają. Po prostu jest jak jest. Proste.
Szalona koncepcja, czyste fantasy, ale jak fajnie się to czyta 😁
Do tego, nawet nie wiem kiedy, główni bohaterowie wrośli we mnie, zauroczyli mnie totalnie i nie mogłam się oderwać - choć książka specjalnie krótka nie jest 😁 I nie przeszkadzały mi nawet klapsy, które są ważną częścią związku Jacka i Mercy'ego.
Zakochałam się w pokręconej rodzinie Mercy'ego - dziewięcioro rodzeństwa, w wieku 5-36 lat, które pojawiło się na świecie w trzech "rzutach", których matkami są trzy różne kobiety - i każda z nich odeszła. Dziesiąte jest w drodze. Ojciec tych dzieciaków, który je kocha i każde kolejne wita na świecie jak pierwsze, długo wyczekiwane, ale który jest totalnie nieodpowiedzialny i który tak naprawdę na ojca się nie nadaje. To Mercy - jako najstarszy - jest głową rodziny. I razem z dwójką innych, najstarszych z pierwszego "rzutu", wychowuje pozostałych. A kasy ciągle brak... Ale rodzeństwo kocha się bezwzględnie i bezwarunkowo, i kocha także tego swojego ojca. Jest chaos, naprawdę duży chaos, ale to kolejna rzecz, która mi nie przeszkadzała, bo znowu ich interakcje mnie zauroczyły 😁
Tak, szalona w pewien sposób książka, ale podobała mi się i lecę dalej 😁
March 31, 2023
I tried really hard to like this
But I just can’t with the mc being a total doormat for his crummy parents. He just takes it and takes it and never even says his piece or tries to make them understand how they’re hurting everyone.
A large portion of the book revolves around the family drama. It was just too much.
But I just can’t with the mc being a total doormat for his crummy parents. He just takes it and takes it and never even says his piece or tries to make them understand how they’re hurting everyone.
A large portion of the book revolves around the family drama. It was just too much.
March 7, 2024
4.5/5 stars
Why was this so good 😫 I was a little skeptical in the beginning, but when Mercy and Jack got together, they were so adorable 🥺 I love when the guy who hates commitment is the one to fall completely head over heels in love. Mercy was so in love with Jack, it was sickening at times.
Like you cannot tell me this guy is not head over heels, stupidly in love. Him and Jack work so well together I love their family together. 😭��🏽
Jack’s stumbling into the living room, still half-asleep. “Fuck, Merc. I’m so damn sorry. I lost him. I lost our child and I don’t know where—” He stops mid-sentence blinking his long lashes at me.
“You mean this baby?” I laugh.
“Not funny. You coulda told me you were takin’ him.”
They are everything 🥹
——————————-
So I highlighted a shit ton of quotes so i’m gonna dump the rest so enjoy!!!:
I finally know what it’s like to be over the moon. I know what he hung the moon means. I want to fly to the moon. To the moon and back doesn’t seem like enough love to give you, Jack.
My man is so brave. He’s my whole world. If the universe wants to throw more shit my way, bring it. I’ve got Jack. I can handle anything.
Why was this so good 😫 I was a little skeptical in the beginning, but when Mercy and Jack got together, they were so adorable 🥺 I love when the guy who hates commitment is the one to fall completely head over heels in love. Mercy was so in love with Jack, it was sickening at times.
This was supposed to be a journal about my hockey adventures. At some point, it transformed into a long letter to you. Or maybe it’s my confessional. Or maybe it’s my last words as me, the Mercy Meyer who didn’t love you because going forward, Jack, no matter where you are in the world, the only Mercy who’ll ever exist is the one who is hopeless for you.
This is why he does it. Love. A feeling so powerful it makes smart men foolish and foolish men numb to anything but the object of their desire. All thoughts have been sucked from my head. All feeling has been torn from my limbs. There’s just him.
I’ve turned into the creepy boyfriend who watches you sleep. But you’ve started smiling in your sleep, did you know? I guess you couldn’t know that. Well, you do. I didn’t know it was possible for someone to be a ray of sunshine with their eyes closed. Selfishly, I hope you’re dreaming of me.
Fuck ‘em all. It’s hard to be mad when I’m in my favorite place with my favorite person.”
“Shouldn’t your favorite place be the ice?”
“It was. Now it’s anywhere you are. That’s so cliché, but I get why now.”
“You’re my new favorite place too and I’m glad the result is not having to pine after you while I miss you so damn much, but I’m still burning down the league for you.”
“Yeah? How you plan on doing that?” I run my fingertips up and down his bare arm.
“With gasoline. They’ve forced my hand.”
“I’d like to see you try to set ice on fire.”
“I’d try for you, baby.”
Like you cannot tell me this guy is not head over heels, stupidly in love. Him and Jack work so well together I love their family together. 😭��🏽
Jack’s stumbling into the living room, still half-asleep. “Fuck, Merc. I’m so damn sorry. I lost him. I lost our child and I don’t know where—” He stops mid-sentence blinking his long lashes at me.
“You mean this baby?” I laugh.
“Not funny. You coulda told me you were takin’ him.”
Right now, we’re one person. Secretly, I feel that we are whether I’m in him or not, but when it’s a physical reality I’m the most whole.
“I don’t work right without you, baby.”
“Same. Let’s never fight again.” I laugh.
“If we’re going to be together for as long as I’m planning, we’ll fight, but we’ll get better at fighting. We’ll get even better at making up.”
They are everything 🥹
——————————-
So I highlighted a shit ton of quotes so i’m gonna dump the rest so enjoy!!!:
He’s a-freaking-dorable in that ball cap, but I want access to his hair, so I remove it and toss it on the couch. He closes his eyes when I run my fingers through his soft locks, and I bring his lips to mine. Jack lets my tongue slip inside so I can deepen the kiss, slowly inhaling his breath and his unique Jack scent. I run a hand down his body and pull one of his thick hockey thighs to wrap around my torso, kissing him until he surely needs air.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
“The only what if I don’t wanna wonder is, what if I never had these moments with you?”
“That’s nice, Merc. I don’t wanna wonder that either. Whatever happens, no regrets.”
“There’s only want one thing from you, Jack.”
“My sweet ass?”
My smile widens. “When you’re in my arms you’re mine.”
“All yours. Come over here. Why you all the way over there?”
Everything about Mercy relaxes me. I can’t lose him
I’ve already softened. Jack hasn’t done much, but something about him calms me and I guess I like being needed.
“Well, my guy always looks for me when I get on the bus, and he didn’t this time so now I feel like shit too.”
He’s giving me his puppy eyes. No, they’re doe eyes mixed with puppy eyes, which makes it hard to stay mad at anything. How did fucking Rhett let Jack go? I’m glad he did. His loss is my gain and all that.
Being inside him is different than being inside anyone else. I want to stay there. Be one person with him. Get as close as two humans can get.
I also want to ravage him. Tear him apart. Make him undeniably mine.
My chest cracks open with incandescent light, surging with the kind of love for him that I thought could only exist in myths and legends. Because that’s what I am. In love with him. I’m so fucking in love it’s stupid.
He’s mine and I’m a lucky son of a bitch. I kiss him until we’re both breathless and gasping for air.
If by chance I should ever capture you, don’t let me know, okay? Or let it only be for one sweet fleeting second so that I’m left forever craving that moment again. Make me chase you. Make me work for you. Give your love to me easily but let me hunger for you without end to maintain the beautiful suffering of pursuit.
“You’re a fucking dork,” he says. “Your fucking dork,”
April 29, 2023
3.5 stars
December 29, 2023
there were certain phrases, actions, and explanations in this book that simply made me want to walk into the ocean
also it drags - like 200 pages too long
also it drags - like 200 pages too long
April 11, 2024
I loved this book so much! Coach/athlete, age gap, super-possessive MMC, fantastic banter, sizzling chemistry, hot af spice and beautiful romance! It was everything I needed and more ❤️
Mercy and Jack are so adorable and just perfect together! Absolutely loved their story 💕
Mercy and Jack are so adorable and just perfect together! Absolutely loved their story 💕
April 13, 2024
Damn, this book just put my standard so high. Mercy has my heart since the first time he appeared. I love them so much and I'm looking forward to see them in the next book.
April 5, 2023
Mock's writing always always gives me the best feels, I don't know how else to describe it. Probably the best way would just be that they are always an auto buy when they are released.
Hockey romances are also a favorite of mine so this was just the best of both worlds ❤️
If you've read her other work I would say this is a bit less kinky/intense but there's still some and there's still smut. I loved all the relationships between the different characters throughout the story too, not just the mains.
Hockey romances are also a favorite of mine so this was just the best of both worlds ❤️
If you've read her other work I would say this is a bit less kinky/intense but there's still some and there's still smut. I loved all the relationships between the different characters throughout the story too, not just the mains.
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