What do you think?
Rate this book
Rules of the Game #2
Shutout
After my life goes sideways in the middle of sophomore year, I'm forced to move in with my older brother and two of his hockey teammates. I'm less than thrilled at the idea of living with three athletes and their stinky gear, their rotating door of hookups, and their tendency to inhale every snack in the house.
But when I walk in the front door with an armload of boxes, I'm faced with another problem entirely.
Hades.
One of my new roommates is the tall, tattooed stranger from my one-night stand on Halloween.
*
SHUTOUT is the second book in the Rules of the Game Series and can be read as a complete standalone.
But when I walk in the front door with an armload of boxes, I'm faced with another problem entirely.
Hades.
One of my new roommates is the tall, tattooed stranger from my one-night stand on Halloween.
*
SHUTOUT is the second book in the Rules of the Game Series and can be read as a complete standalone.
352 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2023
4583 people are currently reading
57045 people want to read
About the author
Avery Keelan
16 books4,984 followersAvery Keelan is a sports romance & adult contemporary romance author who writes hot hockey heroes you'll swoon for.
Her stories contain happily ever afters with lovable characters, snarky banter, and enough steam to fog up a mirror. Plus, of course, a hefty dose of drama and angst along the way.
When not writing, she's spending time with her family, watching hockey (obviously), or enjoying the great Canadian outdoors.
Follow on Social Media to receive teasers, updates, sales and more:
Amazon Author Page
Instagram
TikTok
BookBub
Facebook
Pinterest
Her stories contain happily ever afters with lovable characters, snarky banter, and enough steam to fog up a mirror. Plus, of course, a hefty dose of drama and angst along the way.
When not writing, she's spending time with her family, watching hockey (obviously), or enjoying the great Canadian outdoors.
Follow on Social Media to receive teasers, updates, sales and more:
Amazon Author Page
TikTok
BookBub
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,554 reviews
Read
July 26, 2023got bored :(
July 7, 2023
Absolutely adorable though maybe a bit rushed. I also need to stop reading romance book epilogues. I never like them
September 2, 2025
This college hockey romance was a fun and easy read! I really enjoyed the characters and the storyline. It made me feel lighthearted, hopeful and emotional. This is a medium paced read, where it is character driven. This is book two in the Rules of The Game Series, but can be read as a standalone. The protagonist named Sera is a very special character to me. Sera is loving, caring and deals with the challenges of managing her ADHD.
I love the dual points of views between the main characters and how both of them were strongly developed in the book. Both of them were multilayered and change and grew in the story. The setting definitely fit the story and I found the book to be addictive. I wanted to finish it in one setting. There’s a forced proximity trope and a sunshine versus tattooed athlete trope! This book does come with depth, because at times I did cry. However, the romance outweighs everything else in the book. Overall. I give this novel a 4 out of 5 stars rating!
This book gave me the movie “10 Things I Hate About You” vibes! Content warnings include death, sexual content and grief.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Avery Keelan and Tor Publishing Group | Bramble for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book’s newly revised edition is expected to be published on December 9, 2025!
I love the dual points of views between the main characters and how both of them were strongly developed in the book. Both of them were multilayered and change and grew in the story. The setting definitely fit the story and I found the book to be addictive. I wanted to finish it in one setting. There’s a forced proximity trope and a sunshine versus tattooed athlete trope! This book does come with depth, because at times I did cry. However, the romance outweighs everything else in the book. Overall. I give this novel a 4 out of 5 stars rating!
This book gave me the movie “10 Things I Hate About You” vibes! Content warnings include death, sexual content and grief.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Avery Keelan and Tor Publishing Group | Bramble for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book’s newly revised edition is expected to be published on December 9, 2025!
July 1, 2023
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: best friend's sister, ONS
Angst: 😱😱😱.5
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥
Seraphina's sanity has been hanging on by a thread. She's changed schools to be closer to her mom who's working through a cancer diagnosis, she doesn't know what she wants to pick for her major, and her ADHD is doing her no favors. Tyler is also going through a difficult time, walking the fine line between grinding hard and burning out. He's dealing with heavy expectations from his team, himself, and his entire family when Seraphina aka his one night stand from 3 months ago walks into his apartment - newly introduced as his best friend's little sister who's temporarily moving in. The pressure is getting to both of them, somehow they have to survive living together while acting like they've never met and simultaneously fighting the attraction neither of them forgot.
Just wow! Avery's writing just seems to be getting better and better. Shutout has a great storyline that paced really well. It gave me some serious laugh out loud moments - a la an awkward audio book accident in the car - while also pulling on my heartstrings with some deeper, heart-rending issues about love, loss, and accepting what's beyond our scope of control. Shutout is really a character driven story though, and her character development was en pointe. Sera was just awesome. She really struggles with her ADHD, but she's smart, funny, and loves at full blast. Tyler is just like her in some ways and totally opposite in others. He's also struggling with anxiety about all the pressure he's under, but rather than flaking out, he hyper focuses and obssesses his problems to burnout. But he's also intense and sweet and thoughtful. The two of them just really work together. It was sweet to see how she gets him to chill out while he seems to know exactly what she needs to center herself. The chemistry between them is super hot and while they get tortured with their attempt to be "just friends", it really allowed their relationship to develop organically considering they started off as a ONS. Shutout is a total hit for me and sure to please anyone looking for an angsty (but not too angsty) sports romance.
Shutout is the second book in the Rules of the Game series by Avery Keelan. It can be read as a complete standalone, but best enjoyed when read in series order. It is told in first person, from dual perspective.
⛔️ My bookshelves can sometimes be spoilers
Trope: best friend's sister, ONS
Angst: 😱😱😱.5
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥
Seraphina's sanity has been hanging on by a thread. She's changed schools to be closer to her mom who's working through a cancer diagnosis, she doesn't know what she wants to pick for her major, and her ADHD is doing her no favors. Tyler is also going through a difficult time, walking the fine line between grinding hard and burning out. He's dealing with heavy expectations from his team, himself, and his entire family when Seraphina aka his one night stand from 3 months ago walks into his apartment - newly introduced as his best friend's little sister who's temporarily moving in. The pressure is getting to both of them, somehow they have to survive living together while acting like they've never met and simultaneously fighting the attraction neither of them forgot.
Just wow! Avery's writing just seems to be getting better and better. Shutout has a great storyline that paced really well. It gave me some serious laugh out loud moments - a la an awkward audio book accident in the car - while also pulling on my heartstrings with some deeper, heart-rending issues about love, loss, and accepting what's beyond our scope of control. Shutout is really a character driven story though, and her character development was en pointe. Sera was just awesome. She really struggles with her ADHD, but she's smart, funny, and loves at full blast. Tyler is just like her in some ways and totally opposite in others. He's also struggling with anxiety about all the pressure he's under, but rather than flaking out, he hyper focuses and obssesses his problems to burnout. But he's also intense and sweet and thoughtful. The two of them just really work together. It was sweet to see how she gets him to chill out while he seems to know exactly what she needs to center herself. The chemistry between them is super hot and while they get tortured with their attempt to be "just friends", it really allowed their relationship to develop organically considering they started off as a ONS. Shutout is a total hit for me and sure to please anyone looking for an angsty (but not too angsty) sports romance.
Shutout is the second book in the Rules of the Game series by Avery Keelan. It can be read as a complete standalone, but best enjoyed when read in series order. It is told in first person, from dual perspective.
⛔️ My bookshelves can sometimes be spoilers
July 30, 2023
I see y'all are fan girling this book and maybe that's what gave me high expectations?
Fucking take a shot every time you read the words "rose gold". You honestly might die by 35%. There is so much emphasis on her gd hair. I really think Avery thought she was doing something there. Sheesh. 😮💨
You can try the same game with "pink" but you would definitely die almost immediately. We get it. She likes pink. But not in the same way you like pink. It's DiFfErEnT okay? She has ADHD 🤭
While I appreciate representation of ADHD struggles, it was a bit much. Like insane the amount of times it was brought up and consumed the FMC's identity. Like it was def used to try to make her that ✨manic pixie dream girl✨ style of unique. *Cringe*
And of course the MMC just thought it was so cute to boot 🙃
He was so nice lol. I was thinking like silent, broody, moody goalie 🔥 Everyone keeps being like "he doesn't talk much usually..." The guy doesn't shut up 😂 he's like a complete and total open book as soon as the FMC shows up. And is like totally in touch with his emotions the entire gd time. 🤷♀️ There seemed to be some issues with character development. Like it wanted to be that asshole, broody, alpha/manic pixie dream girl sunshine trope but it didn't quite make it there 😕 womp womp
Also don't think the friend's brother side plot thing even needed to be included. Like ?????? Why? No repercussions for him grooming her and continually creeping on her? Okay 👍
Idk maybe this ya/new adult thang just ain't thangin for me. There was a scene that was supposed to be like super hot and it specifically said "I heard music in the background,Taylor Swift I think..." and I thought oop I just aged out of this series 😂🥴
Sowwy 🥹👎
Fucking take a shot every time you read the words "rose gold". You honestly might die by 35%. There is so much emphasis on her gd hair. I really think Avery thought she was doing something there. Sheesh. 😮💨
You can try the same game with "pink" but you would definitely die almost immediately. We get it. She likes pink. But not in the same way you like pink. It's DiFfErEnT okay? She has ADHD 🤭
While I appreciate representation of ADHD struggles, it was a bit much. Like insane the amount of times it was brought up and consumed the FMC's identity. Like it was def used to try to make her that ✨manic pixie dream girl✨ style of unique. *Cringe*
And of course the MMC just thought it was so cute to boot 🙃
He was so nice lol. I was thinking like silent, broody, moody goalie 🔥 Everyone keeps being like "he doesn't talk much usually..." The guy doesn't shut up 😂 he's like a complete and total open book as soon as the FMC shows up. And is like totally in touch with his emotions the entire gd time. 🤷♀️ There seemed to be some issues with character development. Like it wanted to be that asshole, broody, alpha/manic pixie dream girl sunshine trope but it didn't quite make it there 😕 womp womp
Also don't think the friend's brother side plot thing even needed to be included. Like ?????? Why? No repercussions for him grooming her and continually creeping on her? Okay 👍
Idk maybe this ya/new adult thang just ain't thangin for me. There was a scene that was supposed to be like super hot and it specifically said "I heard music in the background,Taylor Swift I think..." and I thought oop I just aged out of this series 😂🥴
Sowwy 🥹👎
December 23, 2023
No stupid miscommunication no stupid third act break up just two himbos in love dealing with a rather huge medical issue that ISNT pregnancy related great parents who aren’t only focused on pushing their kids for a career, not too much dramatics from her brother when he finds out, it’s all around good shit
January 14, 2024
I’m FULLY aware I am causing this self-inflicted pain by continuing to read bad hockey romances but that’s what happens when you don’t have a love life <3 so many bad things about this book let me name a few: fmc brother might be in love with her, she also has a best friend who’s brother is a pedophile, she used the word “methinks” unironically, pregnancy etc etc etc stay away
December 26, 2023
i don’t want to talk about it
July 5, 2023
4.5 stars! Shutout is a new hockey romance from Avery Keelan, and after loving Offside by this author I could not wait to dive into this next book in the same series! This is a sports (hockey) romance, they become roommates after sharing a previous one-night-stand hook up, he’s her brother’s friend and teammate, a pierced and tattooed broody hero, and a sunshiny heroine with ADHD!
Tyler is the goalie for his college hockey team and his career is under a lot of pressure when the story starts; from himself, his dad (who is also his agent), his trainers, and the prospective team he’s waiting to get a call from. Seraphina recently moved from Arizona to Massachusetts to be near her mother who is going through cancer treatments. She ends up moving in with her brother Chase (hero of book 1, Offside) and his hockey teammate roommates. She had hooked up with a mystery man at a club’s masquerade ball on Halloween and is shocked to realize it is Tyler, one of her brother’s teammates and her new roommate!
I loved the dynamic between Tyler and Sera. The back and forth texting banter and playing “21 questions” throughout was so fun. I loved seeing them get to know one another and how sweet and protective he is towards her. They keep their nicknames from their Halloween costumes throughout the story, Hades for him and Tinker Bell for her. They have to keep their relationship under wraps and a secret from her brother at first. Sera has ADHD (from the author’s own experience) and that is touched on throughout the book. This book was a lot shorter than the previous book in the series, which was nice 😅, but I did want more hockey action/time in this one. I just had a fun time with this one and flew through it, I just love this author’s hockey romances!
CW: parent with cancer, testing for possibility of future cancer for MC
Tyler is the goalie for his college hockey team and his career is under a lot of pressure when the story starts; from himself, his dad (who is also his agent), his trainers, and the prospective team he’s waiting to get a call from. Seraphina recently moved from Arizona to Massachusetts to be near her mother who is going through cancer treatments. She ends up moving in with her brother Chase (hero of book 1, Offside) and his hockey teammate roommates. She had hooked up with a mystery man at a club’s masquerade ball on Halloween and is shocked to realize it is Tyler, one of her brother’s teammates and her new roommate!
I loved the dynamic between Tyler and Sera. The back and forth texting banter and playing “21 questions” throughout was so fun. I loved seeing them get to know one another and how sweet and protective he is towards her. They keep their nicknames from their Halloween costumes throughout the story, Hades for him and Tinker Bell for her. They have to keep their relationship under wraps and a secret from her brother at first. Sera has ADHD (from the author’s own experience) and that is touched on throughout the book. This book was a lot shorter than the previous book in the series, which was nice 😅, but I did want more hockey action/time in this one. I just had a fun time with this one and flew through it, I just love this author’s hockey romances!
CW: parent with cancer, testing for possibility of future cancer for MC
July 21, 2023
4.5 ⭐️!! OBSESSED!! Hockey romance, teammates sister, and no third act breakup!
This was so fun, sweet, extra spicy, and so heartfelt! Sera & Tyler were both so perfect for each other. A grumpy quiet goalie who meets his teammates younger sister who loves pink, reads spicy books, and has ADHD (loved this representation)!
Also the way the couple communicated and worked through struggles together!! I loved it. I normally hate brothers best friend romances but this was the exception!!
There is a lot of deeper topics in this book and it was handled with the upmost care and respect and I really appreciated that.
Overall, obsessed, amazing, loved it!
Petition for a Chloe and Reid book🫶🏼🫶🏼
This was so fun, sweet, extra spicy, and so heartfelt! Sera & Tyler were both so perfect for each other. A grumpy quiet goalie who meets his teammates younger sister who loves pink, reads spicy books, and has ADHD (loved this representation)!
Also the way the couple communicated and worked through struggles together!! I loved it. I normally hate brothers best friend romances but this was the exception!!
There is a lot of deeper topics in this book and it was handled with the upmost care and respect and I really appreciated that.
Overall, obsessed, amazing, loved it!
Petition for a Chloe and Reid book🫶🏼🫶🏼
April 24, 2024
This dealt with some more serious topics than the previous one, yet I found it adorable nonetheless🙌
Off-topic: why is it that between reads I always go to college sports romances as a palate cleanser, but after a while don't remember the specifics of said sports romances? Is anyone else here like that?👉👈
The couple was great together, and in general, it was a great college sports romance👌
Off-topic: why is it that between reads I always go to college sports romances as a palate cleanser, but after a while don't remember the specifics of said sports romances? Is anyone else here like that?👉👈
The couple was great together, and in general, it was a great college sports romance👌
July 12, 2023
So uhhhhh is Rob going to jail or…
April 2, 2024
name: shutout by avery keelan
genre: romance
rating: 4 ☆
𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
🧚🏻♀️ grumpy x sunshine
🏒 found family
🧚🏻♀️ she has TDHA
🏒 he plays hockey
🧚🏻♀️ broken hero
🏒 brother’s best friend
🧚🏻♀️ he calls her “tink”
🏒 he takes her of her
“grandes ojos marrones los que podría perderme, labios carnosos con un arco de cupido perfecto en la parte superior. una pequeña linda nariz que se arruga cuando se ríe. es tan jodi dame te perfecta que duele.
mientras veo clic todo hace clic, es como ponerse unas gafas y ver las cosas con claridad por primera vez.
no solo estoy enamorada de ella, ya estoy ahí hace mucho.
la amo”
༘˚⋆𐙚｡⋆𖦹.✧˚ 🧚🏻♀️🎀⭐️🏒
naturalmente cuando escuchas el trope “mejor amigo del hermano” te emocionas, no? yo también!!!!, me encanta tanto como suena
la historia se centra en seraphina, sí como la gata de annelisse de la princesa y la plebeya, y tyler. me gustaría decir que tenían un buen comienzo….pero realmente termina en “comiéndose”
seraphina y tyler se conocieron una noche de bar con temática de disfraces, una noche que terminó con ella con la boca sobre su boca y encerrados en un baño mientras ella tiene tres orgasmos. todo bien, no? una noche de sexo y ya, el problema jamás supieron el nombre del otro, solo los disfraces que tenían “hades” y “tinkerbell”
seraphina cambió de carreras y universidad, estados. abrumada por el cambio y mudarse con su hermano, se encuentra con hades…..quiero decir tyler, el portero del equipo de su hermano y el tipo con quien tuvo un encuentro feliz en el baño.
¿podrían vivir con la tensión?, yo creo que sí…bueno, tal vez no.
♡ seraphina tiene una neurodivergencia llamada TDHA, trastorno de déficit de atención e hiperactividad, como persona, yo, lola que tiene este problema es muy mencionado en el libro y honestamente muy bien tocado. tyler y sera son personajes que me atraparon en el primer momento, tensión, incomodad y silencios que se sienten seguros, ambos tienen personalidades muy diferentes y problemas diferentes que al final complementan de alguna manera.
es un libro que dices “uh?” y después estas “dale, dame más”, me gusto mucho, hay mucha química, más química de la qué hay. es rápido de leer si le pones empeño, es rápido de usar y definitivamente envolvente !!
seraphina & tyler ⭐️🐈⬛🎀💗
genre: romance
rating: 4 ☆
𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
🧚🏻♀️ grumpy x sunshine
🏒 found family
🧚🏻♀️ she has TDHA
🏒 he plays hockey
🧚🏻♀️ broken hero
🏒 brother’s best friend
🧚🏻♀️ he calls her “tink”
🏒 he takes her of her
“grandes ojos marrones los que podría perderme, labios carnosos con un arco de cupido perfecto en la parte superior. una pequeña linda nariz que se arruga cuando se ríe. es tan jodi dame te perfecta que duele.
mientras veo clic todo hace clic, es como ponerse unas gafas y ver las cosas con claridad por primera vez.
no solo estoy enamorada de ella, ya estoy ahí hace mucho.
la amo”
༘˚⋆𐙚｡⋆𖦹.✧˚ 🧚🏻♀️🎀⭐️🏒
naturalmente cuando escuchas el trope “mejor amigo del hermano” te emocionas, no? yo también!!!!, me encanta tanto como suena
la historia se centra en seraphina, sí como la gata de annelisse de la princesa y la plebeya, y tyler. me gustaría decir que tenían un buen comienzo….pero realmente termina en “comiéndose”
seraphina y tyler se conocieron una noche de bar con temática de disfraces, una noche que terminó con ella con la boca sobre su boca y encerrados en un baño mientras ella tiene tres orgasmos. todo bien, no? una noche de sexo y ya, el problema jamás supieron el nombre del otro, solo los disfraces que tenían “hades” y “tinkerbell”
seraphina cambió de carreras y universidad, estados. abrumada por el cambio y mudarse con su hermano, se encuentra con hades…..quiero decir tyler, el portero del equipo de su hermano y el tipo con quien tuvo un encuentro feliz en el baño.
¿podrían vivir con la tensión?, yo creo que sí…bueno, tal vez no.
♡ seraphina tiene una neurodivergencia llamada TDHA, trastorno de déficit de atención e hiperactividad, como persona, yo, lola que tiene este problema es muy mencionado en el libro y honestamente muy bien tocado. tyler y sera son personajes que me atraparon en el primer momento, tensión, incomodad y silencios que se sienten seguros, ambos tienen personalidades muy diferentes y problemas diferentes que al final complementan de alguna manera.
es un libro que dices “uh?” y después estas “dale, dame más”, me gusto mucho, hay mucha química, más química de la qué hay. es rápido de leer si le pones empeño, es rápido de usar y definitivamente envolvente !!
seraphina & tyler ⭐️🐈⬛🎀💗
July 1, 2023
This was one of my most anticipated hockey romances for this year. And it did not disappoint, I devoured this in one sitting and could not put it down. College romance, emotional scenes, hockey, hot broody hero with tattoos, and a snarky wild girl that’s here for a fun time…Absolutely!! You need to read this.
Seraphina is temporarily moving in with her brother, Chase, and his teammates while she is in the middle of transferring schools to be closer to her family. What she doesn’t expect is to see “Hades”, the hottest one night stand she ever had.
Tyler, aka Hades, is the broody tatted goalie, who only focuses on hockey and has no time for distractions. However, when he sees Sera it all changes.
Tyler and Sara's story was full of hard truths and finding someone you can lean on without any judgement. This story was the perfect amount of tension and slow-burn. I ate up all the adorable scenes, banter and of course spice! Tyler and Sera have so much undeniable chemistry, and seeing their friendship and feelings developso naturally was enjoyable to read. Let’s not forget that Tyler has the filthiest mouth and also pierced, and I absolutely love it!
Thank you to Avery and Wordsmith Publicity for the eARC.
Overall: 4.75
Spice: 3.5
Tropes:
- Sports romance
- Brother’s Teammate
- Forced Proximity
- Roommates
- Secret Relationship
- ADHD Rep
Seraphina is temporarily moving in with her brother, Chase, and his teammates while she is in the middle of transferring schools to be closer to her family. What she doesn’t expect is to see “Hades”, the hottest one night stand she ever had.
Tyler, aka Hades, is the broody tatted goalie, who only focuses on hockey and has no time for distractions. However, when he sees Sera it all changes.
Tyler and Sara's story was full of hard truths and finding someone you can lean on without any judgement. This story was the perfect amount of tension and slow-burn. I ate up all the adorable scenes, banter and of course spice! Tyler and Sera have so much undeniable chemistry, and seeing their friendship and feelings developso naturally was enjoyable to read. Let’s not forget that Tyler has the filthiest mouth and also pierced, and I absolutely love it!
Thank you to Avery and Wordsmith Publicity for the eARC.
Overall: 4.75
Spice: 3.5
Tropes:
- Sports romance
- Brother’s Teammate
- Forced Proximity
- Roommates
- Secret Relationship
- ADHD Rep
January 7, 2024
Do you think she likes pink and has ADHD? It wasn't mentioned enough.
July 1, 2023
1000000/10 ⭐️
MY NEW FAVORITE BOOK. EVER.
& I 100% mean it this time. I went in knowing that I would fall in love, but this book truly blew it out of the ballpark for me, and Ty and Sera are the perfect couple.
If you love hockey romance, you must pick up an Avery Keelan book, and one of them has to be this one.
Sera is the wild gal that we all wanted to be in college — cute pink hair, the wildest partying, and everything in between. But when she moves in with her brother after transferring universities? She finds out that she’s now roommates with the hottest one night stand that she’s ever had.
And he really is THAT hot. Ty is teammate’s with Chase Carter, and as much as I hate to say it, he’s 100x hotter than Chase. All broody, with tattoos and hockey goalie hands (yup, I went there. Took a note from Seraphina’s book!).
The perfect amount of tension and slow burn, all the heat, the adorable scenes and banter (between all the characters, not just Sera and Ty, although there’s SO much of that too), and the group dynamics, all come together to make the perfect read.
College romance, emotional scenes, hockey, hot broody hero with tattoos, and a snarky wild girl that’s here for a fun time? Yup. You need this.
Best book I’ve read this entire year. You MUST read it now.
Thanks Avery for the lovely ARC. I cried like a baby because I loved it so much, and I absolutely don’t think I’ll love another book as much as I love this one anytime soon. All opinions are my own, and no, I’m not biased. I REALLY REALLY LOVE THIS BOOK!!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰
MY NEW FAVORITE BOOK. EVER.
& I 100% mean it this time. I went in knowing that I would fall in love, but this book truly blew it out of the ballpark for me, and Ty and Sera are the perfect couple.
If you love hockey romance, you must pick up an Avery Keelan book, and one of them has to be this one.
Sera is the wild gal that we all wanted to be in college — cute pink hair, the wildest partying, and everything in between. But when she moves in with her brother after transferring universities? She finds out that she’s now roommates with the hottest one night stand that she’s ever had.
And he really is THAT hot. Ty is teammate’s with Chase Carter, and as much as I hate to say it, he’s 100x hotter than Chase. All broody, with tattoos and hockey goalie hands (yup, I went there. Took a note from Seraphina’s book!).
The perfect amount of tension and slow burn, all the heat, the adorable scenes and banter (between all the characters, not just Sera and Ty, although there’s SO much of that too), and the group dynamics, all come together to make the perfect read.
College romance, emotional scenes, hockey, hot broody hero with tattoos, and a snarky wild girl that’s here for a fun time? Yup. You need this.
Best book I’ve read this entire year. You MUST read it now.
Thanks Avery for the lovely ARC. I cried like a baby because I loved it so much, and I absolutely don’t think I’ll love another book as much as I love this one anytime soon. All opinions are my own, and no, I’m not biased. I REALLY REALLY LOVE THIS BOOK!!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰
December 17, 2025
RATING: ♾️⭐️
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
REREAD
Words cannot express how much I love this book! If I could give it more than five stars I would! It deserves all the stars. Reading it again just made this statement even more true!
I think Sera might still just be my favorite heroines OF ALL TIME and Tyler 🥵🥵🥵 I didn’t know I needed a dominant dirty talking cinnamon roll in my life… but he is perfection.
✨ Hockey Romance
✨ Brothers Best Friend
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Grumpy Cinnamon Roll x Chaotic Sunshine
✨ADHD Rep
The chemistry between these two was out of this world! Like so good, and you can just feel the tension and longing between them. Sera is a great FMC and I feel for her so hard. She has ADHD and so many of her own struggles are so real to me.
And Tyler, he has it so bad, and he never treats her like a burden. Instead he treats her like a wonder, and it’s beautiful to see how much he cares for her.
Plus when that man starts his dirty talk 🔥🔥🔥 it makes me want to be called a “good girl.” I love a good praise kink, and this is so hot. Like how can you be super obsessed and rough but also a tender softie…. Idk but Tyler is all of it!
I also loved that there was no third act break up and the emotional turmoil the characters go through was so well handled!
I will recommend this to absolutely everyone! I loved the first book, but this one was 😘 Chef’s Kiss Perfect!
HIGGLY RECOMMEND TO ♾️❤️.
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
REREAD
Words cannot express how much I love this book! If I could give it more than five stars I would! It deserves all the stars. Reading it again just made this statement even more true!
I think Sera might still just be my favorite heroines OF ALL TIME and Tyler 🥵🥵🥵 I didn’t know I needed a dominant dirty talking cinnamon roll in my life… but he is perfection.
✨ Hockey Romance
✨ Brothers Best Friend
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Grumpy Cinnamon Roll x Chaotic Sunshine
✨ADHD Rep
The chemistry between these two was out of this world! Like so good, and you can just feel the tension and longing between them. Sera is a great FMC and I feel for her so hard. She has ADHD and so many of her own struggles are so real to me.
And Tyler, he has it so bad, and he never treats her like a burden. Instead he treats her like a wonder, and it’s beautiful to see how much he cares for her.
Plus when that man starts his dirty talk 🔥🔥🔥 it makes me want to be called a “good girl.” I love a good praise kink, and this is so hot. Like how can you be super obsessed and rough but also a tender softie…. Idk but Tyler is all of it!
I also loved that there was no third act break up and the emotional turmoil the characters go through was so well handled!
I will recommend this to absolutely everyone! I loved the first book, but this one was 😘 Chef’s Kiss Perfect!
HIGGLY RECOMMEND TO ♾️❤️.
July 2, 2023
5 freaking stars because Avery has done it again! I honestly didn't expect anything less than perfection from Ty and Sera's book and I thoroughly enjoyed every single second of reading it. The gradual progression of their relationship as well as so many of the heartfelt moments throughout the book had me swooning. The chemistry and smut was fantastic, per usual and I absolutely adored those little moments that we got to see of ChaseBailey and DallasShiv as well. I'm really looking forward to reading the next books in this series - particularly a *ahem* certain scorned hockey player and a sweet, averse to dating someone ifykyk😏
*Thank you to Avery Keelan and Wordsmith Publicity for providing me with an ARC!
*Thank you to Avery Keelan and Wordsmith Publicity for providing me with an ARC!
July 30, 2023
I liked this! It was fluffy, emotional, and soft but I liked it. I think my favorite part was Ty’s hockey career, and how it was more realistic than a lot of other sports books. It wasn’t just “he’s the best” or “no one can take him down”, you could feel the pressure he was experiencing. He wasn’t the perfect goalie most authors might write. I respect that, all athlete experience pressure and have breaking points. Overall I enjoyed the experience.
April 6, 2023
I NEED IT NOW AND I HAVENT EVEN FINISHED THE FIRST BOOK
July 10, 2023
Grumpy, silent goalies >>>
Sera and Tyler had a ONS and didn’t exchange names or numbers. Flash forward to Sera moving in with her big brother Chase and two teammates, what could possibly go wrong?
Tyler was everything!! He cared about Sera so so much. And Sera’s ADHD hit me straight through the heart. I haven’t read a more relatable fmc in such a long time. Neurospicy girlies, you’re gonna feel SEEN.
There’s a lil angst, a whole lot of sneaking around, and such fun banter between the two of them.
Thank you so much Avery and Wordsmith Publicity for an arc of this book! It’s out now 💙
Read if you like
✨ sibling’s friend/teammate
✨ a lil forbidden
✨ forced proximity/roommates
✨ tattooed grumpy/silent goal
✨ neurodivergent fmc
Sera and Tyler had a ONS and didn’t exchange names or numbers. Flash forward to Sera moving in with her big brother Chase and two teammates, what could possibly go wrong?
Tyler was everything!! He cared about Sera so so much. And Sera’s ADHD hit me straight through the heart. I haven’t read a more relatable fmc in such a long time. Neurospicy girlies, you’re gonna feel SEEN.
There’s a lil angst, a whole lot of sneaking around, and such fun banter between the two of them.
Thank you so much Avery and Wordsmith Publicity for an arc of this book! It’s out now 💙
Read if you like
✨ sibling’s friend/teammate
✨ a lil forbidden
✨ forced proximity/roommates
✨ tattooed grumpy/silent goal
✨ neurodivergent fmc
August 17, 2023
brother's best friend u will always be famous
October 25, 2023
✔️ hockey romance
✔️ brothers teammate
✔️ forced proximity
✔️ tatted/pierced mmc
✔️ ADHD rep
✔️ undeniable tension
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tyler is simultaneously the hottest and tatted hockey goalie and the softest sweetheart for Ser. As a goalie scouted for the pros, Tyler is under immense pressure, from his father and future, and from himself. My heart aches for Tyler sooo much. He’s passionate and dedicated, but the stress he feels to be perfect.
Seraphina was sooo relatable, and her struggles with finding herself and her aimlessness hit hard. What I loved was how Avery explored Ser’s ADHD in a way that was true and respectful, as a part of what makes Seraphina her. As the plot continued, my heart broke for Ser and her struggles. The way Avery has written Ser made me empathise with her something fiercely.
Both Tyler and Seraphina have their own challenges they face, and while still so young and while in college. Their resilience and dedication is something I admire and love.
Reading this was so comforting. Ty and Ser have this undeniable chemistry, and seeing their friendship and feelings develop as they did was so sweet. But also, Ty has the filthiest mouth, and I am here for it! What begins as one night together, develops into a beautiful relationship about two aimless souls finding and complementing each other.
My only wish was to have more of Ty and Ser 😭 I just wanted to see them develop more after the big news at the end and see them lean on and support each other. I wouldn’t be opposed to a bonus epilogue ❤️
Thank you Wordsmith Publicity for the ARC.
ARC was a free review copy, but all opinions are my own personal and genuine thoughts.
✔️ brothers teammate
✔️ forced proximity
✔️ tatted/pierced mmc
✔️ ADHD rep
✔️ undeniable tension
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tyler is simultaneously the hottest and tatted hockey goalie and the softest sweetheart for Ser. As a goalie scouted for the pros, Tyler is under immense pressure, from his father and future, and from himself. My heart aches for Tyler sooo much. He’s passionate and dedicated, but the stress he feels to be perfect.
Seraphina was sooo relatable, and her struggles with finding herself and her aimlessness hit hard. What I loved was how Avery explored Ser’s ADHD in a way that was true and respectful, as a part of what makes Seraphina her. As the plot continued, my heart broke for Ser and her struggles. The way Avery has written Ser made me empathise with her something fiercely.
Both Tyler and Seraphina have their own challenges they face, and while still so young and while in college. Their resilience and dedication is something I admire and love.
Reading this was so comforting. Ty and Ser have this undeniable chemistry, and seeing their friendship and feelings develop as they did was so sweet. But also, Ty has the filthiest mouth, and I am here for it! What begins as one night together, develops into a beautiful relationship about two aimless souls finding and complementing each other.
My only wish was to have more of Ty and Ser 😭 I just wanted to see them develop more after the big news at the end and see them lean on and support each other. I wouldn’t be opposed to a bonus epilogue ❤️
Thank you Wordsmith Publicity for the ARC.
ARC was a free review copy, but all opinions are my own personal and genuine thoughts.
March 14, 2025
This was my first Avery Keelan book, and surprisingly I love it (even after a re-read). I cant exactly pinpoint why, perhaps its the description of Tyler’s tattoos (sighs), his dedication to hockey, his gentleness towards Sera and how he cared for her. And that control room scene is imprinted in my mind. 😜 And I love their ongoing questions game and how it spiraled them into a relationship unknowingly.
I am so excited for Chloe & Reid. Jesus, Reid intrigued me so much. Can't wait for their book!
I am so excited for Chloe & Reid. Jesus, Reid intrigued me so much. Can't wait for their book!
February 2, 2025
Very cute! In terms of any real conflict, I found this lacking. Pretty much strictly romance. Nothing against that, but after the conflict in book 1, I did expect a little bit more. But excellent romance!
December 7, 2023
I’m going to die alone.
if-it-is-the-last-book-on-earth
October 6, 2025Tas nav romāns, tas ir pirmā kursa rakstīšanas treniņš. Slikts.
June 30, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ok but the way I just devoured this in one sitting? I swear every book written by Avery Keelan just has something so addicting! I've loved every book of hers that I've read and Shutout is no exception! Tyler and Sara's story was full of hard truths and ultimately finding someone you can truly rely and depend on with zero judgement. The dynamic of spice mixed with vulnerability and real-life relatable stuff was simply chef's kiss. Thank you so much to @wordsmithpublicity and @averykeelan for the early copy of this masterpiece! It was SO FUN to be back in the Rules of the Game universe again 🤩🤗
Read if you love:
🏒hockey romance
🏒brother's friend
🏒forced proximity
🏒goalies
🏒one night stands turned to more
🏒happily ever afters
🏒no third act breakup!
"...my heart does a twirl when I lock eyes with Hades himself. A fitted black Henley drapes across his firm chest, long sleeves pushed partway up to reveal his inked forearms; a pair of perfectly broken-in jeans emphasize his strong hockey thighs; and the leather watch he's wearing somehow makes it all ten times hotter."
Ok but the way I just devoured this in one sitting? I swear every book written by Avery Keelan just has something so addicting! I've loved every book of hers that I've read and Shutout is no exception! Tyler and Sara's story was full of hard truths and ultimately finding someone you can truly rely and depend on with zero judgement. The dynamic of spice mixed with vulnerability and real-life relatable stuff was simply chef's kiss. Thank you so much to @wordsmithpublicity and @averykeelan for the early copy of this masterpiece! It was SO FUN to be back in the Rules of the Game universe again 🤩🤗
Read if you love:
🏒hockey romance
🏒brother's friend
🏒forced proximity
🏒goalies
🏒one night stands turned to more
🏒happily ever afters
🏒no third act breakup!
"...my heart does a twirl when I lock eyes with Hades himself. A fitted black Henley drapes across his firm chest, long sleeves pushed partway up to reveal his inked forearms; a pair of perfectly broken-in jeans emphasize his strong hockey thighs; and the leather watch he's wearing somehow makes it all ten times hotter."
July 6, 2023
4.5/5⭐️
3/5 🌶️
Tropes:
- Brother’s Best Friend/Teammate
- Sports Romance 🏒
- Forced Proximity/Roommates
- Pierced/tattooed MMC
Shutout is book #2 in the Rules of the Game Series! I loved it! We were introduced to Sera in book #1. She decided to transfer to Boyd & moves in with her brother Chase & his roommates/teammates. But she didn’t know she would now be living with a guy she hooked up with in a bathroom of a nightclub a few months prior and she also hasn’t been able to stop thinking about that night.
Seraphina is a strong FMC! She goes through so much and they way she comes out in the end is beautiful!
Tyler is 🥵 END OF STORY and plus he has tattoos and a pierced 🍆. SOLD. He would do anything for Sera and the way he drop everything to come to her just makes him even better.
Avery has killed it again! I thought I loved offside but man this one was so hard to put down and was everything I needed. I already can’t wait for the next book and I’m really hoping it’s about Reid and Chloe!
Definitely recommend!
3/5 🌶️
Tropes:
- Brother’s Best Friend/Teammate
- Sports Romance 🏒
- Forced Proximity/Roommates
- Pierced/tattooed MMC
Shutout is book #2 in the Rules of the Game Series! I loved it! We were introduced to Sera in book #1. She decided to transfer to Boyd & moves in with her brother Chase & his roommates/teammates. But she didn’t know she would now be living with a guy she hooked up with in a bathroom of a nightclub a few months prior and she also hasn’t been able to stop thinking about that night.
Seraphina is a strong FMC! She goes through so much and they way she comes out in the end is beautiful!
Tyler is 🥵 END OF STORY and plus he has tattoos and a pierced 🍆. SOLD. He would do anything for Sera and the way he drop everything to come to her just makes him even better.
Avery has killed it again! I thought I loved offside but man this one was so hard to put down and was everything I needed. I already can’t wait for the next book and I’m really hoping it’s about Reid and Chloe!
Definitely recommend!
January 10, 2024
5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
"Our fingers touch ever so slightly, and I try to ignore the effect it has on me because I'm a grown ass man who definitely shouldn't be excited by something as minor as playing handsies."
OH. MY. GOODNESS.
This book destroyed me in the most amazing way. I am completely obsessed with both of these main characters. Very, very obsessed. I have never read a goalie hockey romance, and let me tell you .... yup, I'm here for it.
The audiobook scene🥵 .. and then it becomes a whole thing. Yes, please.
"I'm ruined, Tink. Fucking ruined."
You get:
• Brothers bestfriend/teammate
• Forbidden romance
• No strings attached .. until it's attached
• 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
• Reformed bad boy
• Tattooed & Pierced MMC 😏
• Sassy banter
• It's never been this way
• Hockey romance
• Forced Proximity
I cannot wait to read every single book by Avery Keelan!
"A better person probably would harbor some degree of guilt for crossing a line. All I feel is a deep sense of primal satisfaction for having claimed her. All I want is to do it again."
"Our fingers touch ever so slightly, and I try to ignore the effect it has on me because I'm a grown ass man who definitely shouldn't be excited by something as minor as playing handsies."
OH. MY. GOODNESS.
This book destroyed me in the most amazing way. I am completely obsessed with both of these main characters. Very, very obsessed. I have never read a goalie hockey romance, and let me tell you .... yup, I'm here for it.
The audiobook scene🥵 .. and then it becomes a whole thing. Yes, please.
"I'm ruined, Tink. Fucking ruined."
You get:
• Brothers bestfriend/teammate
• Forbidden romance
• No strings attached .. until it's attached
• 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
• Reformed bad boy
• Tattooed & Pierced MMC 😏
• Sassy banter
• It's never been this way
• Hockey romance
• Forced Proximity
I cannot wait to read every single book by Avery Keelan!
"A better person probably would harbor some degree of guilt for crossing a line. All I feel is a deep sense of primal satisfaction for having claimed her. All I want is to do it again."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,554 reviews