What do you think?
Rate this book
Lakes Hockey #3
In the Game
Raleigh
Being a “puck bunny” isn’t a term I enjoy, but it’s what they call me. And I’m okay with that, as long as my nights with hockey players provide me with a taste of true love, something I’m not sure I’ll ever find. Where I grew up, there was no happily ever after. But I’ve got a body that lets me play pretend every once in a while.
My first night with Barrett transformed me. He cracked the strong facade I worked so hard to build. It was blissful and heartbreaking. I planned on never seeing him again until our one-night changed my life. But when I tried to contact him, when I needed him most, he was callous and cruel. He made it clear he never wanted to hear from me again.
Barrett
She was it. Then she snuck out and never left her number. Every bar, every game, everywhere I went I looked for her. It was as if she was the missing piece I didn’t even know I’d been looking for. She was empathetic, funny, and smart—and nobody has been able to live up to my Raleigh or make me feel the way she did. I vow that if we ever cross paths again, I’m not letting her out of my sight.
Five years later that day finally comes. After a spontaneous meet and greet with a new Minnesota Lakes sponsor and there she is, more beautiful than ever. And this time, she has a four-year-old son.
This 18+ spicy hockey romance features a plus-size FMC, dirty talk, praise, angst, secret/surprise love child, single mom, enemies-to-lovers, koalas with chlamydia, and of course, a happily ever after.
Pregnancy, childbirth complications, post-partum depression, bullying, slut-shaming, sexual harassment, and explicit sex scenes.
Being a “puck bunny” isn’t a term I enjoy, but it’s what they call me. And I’m okay with that, as long as my nights with hockey players provide me with a taste of true love, something I’m not sure I’ll ever find. Where I grew up, there was no happily ever after. But I’ve got a body that lets me play pretend every once in a while.
My first night with Barrett transformed me. He cracked the strong facade I worked so hard to build. It was blissful and heartbreaking. I planned on never seeing him again until our one-night changed my life. But when I tried to contact him, when I needed him most, he was callous and cruel. He made it clear he never wanted to hear from me again.
Barrett
She was it. Then she snuck out and never left her number. Every bar, every game, everywhere I went I looked for her. It was as if she was the missing piece I didn’t even know I’d been looking for. She was empathetic, funny, and smart—and nobody has been able to live up to my Raleigh or make me feel the way she did. I vow that if we ever cross paths again, I’m not letting her out of my sight.
Five years later that day finally comes. After a spontaneous meet and greet with a new Minnesota Lakes sponsor and there she is, more beautiful than ever. And this time, she has a four-year-old son.
This 18+ spicy hockey romance features a plus-size FMC, dirty talk, praise, angst, secret/surprise love child, single mom, enemies-to-lovers, koalas with chlamydia, and of course, a happily ever after.
Pregnancy, childbirth complications, post-partum depression, bullying, slut-shaming, sexual harassment, and explicit sex scenes.
424 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 16, 2023
2505 people are currently reading
20848 people want to read
About the author
Sloane St. James
8 books3,486 followersSloane St. James began writing in 2022, it combines two of her favorite things, books and getting plowed. She enjoys writing strong, witty females and the dirty-talking men that love them--with a little suspense tossed in wherever she can. As an avid hockey fan, her Lakes Hockey series was a natural place to start and debuted in March 2023.
When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and, of course, reading romance.
When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and, of course, reading romance.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,927 reviews
August 11, 2025
Me and this series are like this 🔐
__
Got nothing quirky to say for this one 😔 a generic 'I hope I love this' will have to do 😔
__
Got nothing quirky to say for this one 😔 a generic 'I hope I love this' will have to do 😔
December 17, 2023
He loved her so much, but he still slept with ow. She slept with om too, even though her friend said she'd been celibate too long, she says she was with others, but she hated him because of the rejection she got from the wannabe other woman and ???? But still, I like my main characters to only be with each other. She was a puck bunny to start with. And when she saw a pregnant lady with her husband she was like oh I slept with him years ago or something like that just gross. This just didn't work for me. The sex scenes were not romantic just pornographic. Dirty talking smutness is not for me. I am officially too old for these types of stories. I am not sure I thought it was a romance really. I mean he was obsessed but love? I didn't get it. But this is just me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2024
4.75
Whew okay!! Age gap + secret baby + second chance
This is my favorite book so far. The first 10% had me really worried because I didn’t know this was secret baby and I loathe that trope. I was on the verge of DNF.. I know!!! Thankfully this author resolves things quickly so I got over it fast and then came the dating, quality time, wine n dining and groveling on BOTH parts. My rating should tell you enough. I hate secret baby and it still gets a 4 star because the rest was SO GOOD.
Anyway they have a one night stand, she ditches him in the morning without exchanging numbers and couple weeks go by she ends up pregnant. She tries to contact him but gets his social media manager (unbeknownst to her) who tells her to stay away from him. Little does she knows that he’s been searching high and low for her. Then 5 whole years go by…
This was so fucking good!! I absolutely loved watching how much he was ready to devote all of his time getting to know his son and be a dad but also following his gut and perusing the mother of his child after searching for her for years. God they were so HOT together, that scene In front of the mirror lives RENT FREE.
This books is probably the best written in the series so far and the story with the most authentic connection I felt. I’m enjoying seeing how this author is improving with each book. I had real heart & kewchie butterflies so I call that a win!
I can’t wait to get to the next book especially if it’s for who I think it is OMG.
Whew okay!! Age gap + secret baby + second chance
This is my favorite book so far. The first 10% had me really worried because I didn’t know this was secret baby and I loathe that trope. I was on the verge of DNF.. I know!!! Thankfully this author resolves things quickly so I got over it fast and then came the dating, quality time, wine n dining and groveling on BOTH parts. My rating should tell you enough. I hate secret baby and it still gets a 4 star because the rest was SO GOOD.
Anyway they have a one night stand, she ditches him in the morning without exchanging numbers and couple weeks go by she ends up pregnant. She tries to contact him but gets his social media manager (unbeknownst to her) who tells her to stay away from him. Little does she knows that he’s been searching high and low for her. Then 5 whole years go by…
This was so fucking good!! I absolutely loved watching how much he was ready to devote all of his time getting to know his son and be a dad but also following his gut and perusing the mother of his child after searching for her for years. God they were so HOT together, that scene In front of the mirror lives RENT FREE.
This books is probably the best written in the series so far and the story with the most authentic connection I felt. I’m enjoying seeing how this author is improving with each book. I had real heart & kewchie butterflies so I call that a win!
I can’t wait to get to the next book especially if it’s for who I think it is OMG.
May 31, 2025
Should have guessed this would not be my cup of tea, but I wanted to try 😩
I am choosing to ignore that this book is part of this series - I love books 1 and 2.
I fully skimmed the 2nd half
I did not enjoy the story
The rating hurts me more than you, trust me 🥲
----------
I never thought I'd be looking forward to a book where the female main character is a self-proclaimed “puck bunny”.
But then Sloane wrote one, so here I am.
I am choosing to ignore that this book is part of this series - I love books 1 and 2.
I fully skimmed the 2nd half
I did not enjoy the story
The rating hurts me more than you, trust me 🥲
----------
I never thought I'd be looking forward to a book where the female main character is a self-proclaimed “puck bunny”.
But then Sloane wrote one, so here I am.
December 6, 2023
5/5⭐️
4/5🌶️
What is Sloane putting in these books?!?! I truly can’t get enough of this series. I don’t typically love the accidental pregnancy trope… but wow she really outdid herself with this one.
This is book 3 in the Lakes Hockey Series following Barrett & Raleigh who meet at the bar one night & end up hooking up. Weeks later, Raleigh finds out she’s pregnant & telling Barrett seems to be more difficult than she imagined. Fast Forward five years & Barrett is stunned to see Raleigh again after one of his hockey games. She was always the one that got away. Imagine the shock he felt to see her again but with a child who he realizes very quickly looks just like him…
Barrett? Good lord that man has a mouth on him 🥵 The man can do no wrong in my eyes. He was perfect & the way he handled their situation was amazing. I loved how he always hyped Raleigh up & made her feel more confident & beautiful when she needed it most. I really admire Raleigh for how she stepped up to the plate & did the single mom thing & completely owned it! I’m so glad these two found their way back to each other & created the perfect little family 🥹
I never want this series to end. Like EVER. Each book has the perfect plot to spice ratio! Thank you Sloane for sending me an ARC & allowing me to review early. I can’t wait to see what else is to come!
Tropes:
- Sports Romance
- Age Gap
- One Night Stand
- Accidental Pregnancy/Secret Baby
- Second Chance
- Curvy FMC
4/5🌶️
What is Sloane putting in these books?!?! I truly can’t get enough of this series. I don’t typically love the accidental pregnancy trope… but wow she really outdid herself with this one.
This is book 3 in the Lakes Hockey Series following Barrett & Raleigh who meet at the bar one night & end up hooking up. Weeks later, Raleigh finds out she’s pregnant & telling Barrett seems to be more difficult than she imagined. Fast Forward five years & Barrett is stunned to see Raleigh again after one of his hockey games. She was always the one that got away. Imagine the shock he felt to see her again but with a child who he realizes very quickly looks just like him…
Barrett? Good lord that man has a mouth on him 🥵 The man can do no wrong in my eyes. He was perfect & the way he handled their situation was amazing. I loved how he always hyped Raleigh up & made her feel more confident & beautiful when she needed it most. I really admire Raleigh for how she stepped up to the plate & did the single mom thing & completely owned it! I’m so glad these two found their way back to each other & created the perfect little family 🥹
I never want this series to end. Like EVER. Each book has the perfect plot to spice ratio! Thank you Sloane for sending me an ARC & allowing me to review early. I can’t wait to see what else is to come!
Tropes:
- Sports Romance
- Age Gap
- One Night Stand
- Accidental Pregnancy/Secret Baby
- Second Chance
- Curvy FMC
September 4, 2024
This one missed for me on so many levels. I just can’t get on board with instalove, the miscommunication was unbelievable (like who only tries Instagram?) and there was a major plot hole with the DMs. I still don’t understand how it could have been only her mother when clearly Julia answered the phone and responded on the original IG messages on the official account? Did we just forget that?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2023
5/5⭐️
4/5🌶️
Tropes:
- Age Gap
- Sports Romance🏒
- Secret Baby
- He Falls First
- Second Chance
- Primal and Breeding
✨ARC REVIEW✨
First, I wanted to thank Sloane for this ARC, I am so grateful to have the opportunity to read this book and I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE. I love this series & so happy I came across Sloane St. James. She is a new auto read/buy author for me. I fell in love with her writing in Before We Came & been hooked since.
In The Game is the third book in the Lakes Hockey series following Barrett & Raleigh. We met Barrett in the first two books and when I found out his book was next, I WAS SO EXCITED. Barrett is the star right winger of the Lakes hockey team. Raleigh was a hockey player at one point and now a model & puck bunny. After one night with Barrett, everything changes.
I normally don’t enjoy the accidental pregnancy trope but LET ME TELL YOU… Sloane KILLED this trope. She kept me wanting more and more. I had a hard time putting this down. After that first night, Barrett is a man obsessed, but he can’t find Raleigh anywhere. 5 years later, they run into each other again, and from that point on, he will never let her (and his son) go again.
The relationship & chemistry between Barrett and his son is EVERYTHING. I fell in love with him. This whole series so far is a 5 star for me. I will always recommend this series! If you have not read this series yet, PLEASE DO. You won’t be disappointed. I am so happy I came across Sloane St. James writing.
4/5🌶️
Tropes:
- Age Gap
- Sports Romance🏒
- Secret Baby
- He Falls First
- Second Chance
- Primal and Breeding
✨ARC REVIEW✨
First, I wanted to thank Sloane for this ARC, I am so grateful to have the opportunity to read this book and I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE. I love this series & so happy I came across Sloane St. James. She is a new auto read/buy author for me. I fell in love with her writing in Before We Came & been hooked since.
In The Game is the third book in the Lakes Hockey series following Barrett & Raleigh. We met Barrett in the first two books and when I found out his book was next, I WAS SO EXCITED. Barrett is the star right winger of the Lakes hockey team. Raleigh was a hockey player at one point and now a model & puck bunny. After one night with Barrett, everything changes.
I normally don’t enjoy the accidental pregnancy trope but LET ME TELL YOU… Sloane KILLED this trope. She kept me wanting more and more. I had a hard time putting this down. After that first night, Barrett is a man obsessed, but he can’t find Raleigh anywhere. 5 years later, they run into each other again, and from that point on, he will never let her (and his son) go again.
The relationship & chemistry between Barrett and his son is EVERYTHING. I fell in love with him. This whole series so far is a 5 star for me. I will always recommend this series! If you have not read this series yet, PLEASE DO. You won’t be disappointed. I am so happy I came across Sloane St. James writing.
December 4, 2025
Another banger! Also had me tearing up at multiple times. This author taps into something deep in me.
5 Stars
3.5 on the spice scale
5 Stars
3.5 on the spice scale
May 15, 2025
4.5/5
ชอบมากกกกก ชอบกว่าที่คิดอีก เล่มนี้เป็นโทรป secret baby ปกติเราไม่ค่อยชอบ pregnancy trope นะ ไม่ชอบที่พระ-นางมารักกันเพราะลูก แต่เรื่องนี้ไม่ติดอะไรเลย นางเอก Raleigh เป็น model ที่ฟีลคล้าย puck bunny หน่อย ๆ นางเอกเป็นคนขี้เหงา+ชอบหาความสัมพันธ์แบบ ONS ชื่นชอบกีฬาฮอกกี้เป็นพิเศษก็เลยมักจะเลือกหนุ่ม ๆ ไอซ์ฮอกกี้ที่มาแข่งที่เมืองตัวเองมากกว่าทีมบ้านเกิดอยากทีม Lakes แต่วันหนึ่งก็ดันได้ปิ๊งปั๊งกับหนึ่งหนุ่มในทีมบ้านเกิดอย่างพี่ Barrett คุยกันถูกคอ เคมีโบ้มบ้ามจนสุดท้ายไปจบที่ ONS แต่ระหว่างนั้นพระเอกดันไปเรียกนางเอกว่า Bunny นางเอกเลยทำใจคิดว่าพระเอกคงไม่ได้อยากสานสัมพันธ์ต่อเหมือนตัวเองก็เลยหนีหายไปเลยไม่ทิ้งช่องทางติดต่อไว้กับพระเอก และหลังจากนั้นไม่นานก็ดันพบว่าตัวเองท้องอีก พอหาทางติดต่อจะบอกพระเอกก็ดันเจอด่ากลับมาอีก นางเอกก็เลยไม่สนใจพระเอกอีกเลย ส่วนทางพระเอกที่ติดใจสาวมากแต่หายังไงก็หาไม่เจอ เพ้อจนคนรอบตัวรู้จักชื่อนางเอกกันหมด ไทม์สกิปมา 4-5 ปีให้หลังทั้งคู่ได้มาบังเอิญเจอกันพระเอกก็พบว่าลูกนางเอกหน้าคล้ายตัวเองตอนเด็กเลย! ก็เลยต้องหาทางพิชิตใจนางเอกให้เปิดรับตัวเองให้ได้–
เอาจริงถ้าใครเคยอ่าน Reckless ของคุณ Elsie Silver มาก่อนก็จะพบว่าเรื่องนี้คือแนวเดียวกันเปี๊ยบ แต่เรื่องนี้ลูกโตแล้ว มันเลยจะต่างตรงที่จะได้เห็นความสัมพันธ์ครอบครัวอีกแบบหนึ่งซึ่งเราชอบนะ ด้วยความที่ลูกรู้ภาษาแล้วจะทำจะพูดอะไรก็ต้องระมัดระวังเป็นพิเศษ เราว่าเรื่องนี้พัฒนาการตัวละครมันชัดดีทั้งกับพระเอกและนางเอกเลย เรื่องความสัมพันธ์ช่วงแรกอาจจะดูรักแรกพบไปหน่อยแต่จะเห็นพัฒนาการความสัมพันธ์ของทั้งคู่ในตอนที่ได้กลับมาเจอกันอีกรอบนะ นี่ชอบฉากหนึ่งในเรื่องตอนที่ทั้งคู่ไปเดตกันที่ร้านอาหารแล้วคุยกันเรื่องลูก มันอีโมชั่นนอลมากอ่านแล้วแอบน้ำตาซึม เราว่านขทำได้ดีในเรื่อง emotional depth ของตัวละครนะ ชอบพี่ Barrett มากกกกก ฮีพร้อมที่จะชดเชยกับช่วงเวลาที่หายไปเทคแคร์ดูแลนางเอกดี๊ดี แทบจะ Worship the ground she walks on อ่านแล้วแฮปปี้กับนางเอก
ภาพรวมเอ็นจอยมากอ่านติดมือแบบไม่หลับไม่นอน ติดนิดหน่อยคือช่วงท้ายเรื่องที่ปมไม่เคลียร์เลย แบบอ่านแล้วเกาหัว สรุปยังไงนะ ?---? เสียดายจุดนี้มาก
ปล.ตอนแรกคิดว่าเล่มนี้จะ Spicy เบา ๆ สรุปก็ยัง extra spicy สำหรับเราอยู่ดี ดูทรงแล้วคงจะเป็นทั้งเซ็ตสินะ 55555555555
ชอบมากกกกก ชอบกว่าที่คิดอีก เล่มนี้เป็นโทรป secret baby ปกติเราไม่ค่อยชอบ pregnancy trope นะ ไม่ชอบที่พระ-นางมารักกันเพราะลูก แต่เรื่องนี้ไม่ติดอะไรเลย นางเอก Raleigh เป็น model ที่ฟีลคล้าย puck bunny หน่อย ๆ นางเอกเป็นคนขี้เหงา+ชอบหาความสัมพันธ์แบบ ONS ชื่นชอบกีฬาฮอกกี้เป็นพิเศษก็เลยมักจะเลือกหนุ่ม ๆ ไอซ์ฮอกกี้ที่มาแข่งที่เมืองตัวเองมากกว่าทีมบ้านเกิดอยากทีม Lakes แต่วันหนึ่งก็ดันได้ปิ๊งปั๊งกับหนึ่งหนุ่มในทีมบ้านเกิดอย่างพี่ Barrett คุยกันถูกคอ เคมีโบ้มบ้ามจนสุดท้ายไปจบที่ ONS แต่ระหว่างนั้นพระเอกดันไปเรียกนางเอกว่า Bunny นางเอกเลยทำใจคิดว่าพระเอกคงไม่ได้อยากสานสัมพันธ์ต่อเหมือนตัวเองก็เลยหนีหายไปเลยไม่ทิ้งช่องทางติดต่อไว้กับพระเอก และหลังจากนั้นไม่นานก็ดันพบว่าตัวเองท้องอีก พอหาทางติดต่อจะบอกพระเอกก็ดันเจอด่ากลับมาอีก นางเอกก็เลยไม่สนใจพระเอกอีกเลย ส่วนทางพระเอกที่ติดใจสาวมากแต่หายังไงก็หาไม่เจอ เพ้อจนคนรอบตัวรู้จักชื่อนางเอกกันหมด ไทม์สกิปมา 4-5 ปีให้หลังทั้งคู่ได้มาบังเอิญเจอกันพระเอกก็พบว่าลูกนางเอกหน้าคล้ายตัวเองตอนเด็กเลย! ก็เลยต้องหาทางพิชิตใจนางเอกให้เปิดรับตัวเองให้ได้–
เอาจริงถ้าใครเคยอ่าน Reckless ของคุณ Elsie Silver มาก่อนก็จะพบว่าเรื่องนี้คือแนวเดียวกันเปี๊ยบ แต่เรื่องนี้ลูกโตแล้ว มันเลยจะต่างตรงที่จะได้เห็นความสัมพันธ์ครอบครัวอีกแบบหนึ่งซึ่งเราชอบนะ ด้วยความที่ลูกรู้ภาษาแล้วจะทำจะพูดอะไรก็ต้องระมัดระวังเป็นพิเศษ เราว่าเรื่องนี้พัฒนาการตัวละครมันชัดดีทั้งกับพระเอกและนางเอกเลย เรื่องความสัมพันธ์ช่วงแรกอาจจะดูรักแรกพบไปหน่อยแต่จะเห็นพัฒนาการความสัมพันธ์ของทั้งคู่ในตอนที่ได้กลับมาเจอกันอีกรอบนะ นี่ชอบฉากหนึ่งในเรื่องตอนที่ทั้งคู่ไปเดตกันที่ร้านอาหารแล้วคุยกันเรื่องลูก มันอีโมชั่นนอลมากอ่านแล้วแอบน้ำตาซึม เราว่านขทำได้ดีในเรื่อง emotional depth ของตัวละครนะ ชอบพี่ Barrett มากกกกก ฮีพร้อมที่จะชดเชยกับช่วงเวลาที่หายไปเทคแคร์ดูแลนางเอกดี๊ดี แทบจะ Worship the ground she walks on อ่านแล้วแฮปปี้กับนางเอก
ภาพรวมเอ็นจอยมากอ่านติดมือแบบไม่หลับไม่นอน ติดนิดหน่อยคือช่วงท้ายเรื่องที่ปมไม่เคลียร์เลย แบบอ่านแล้วเกาหัว สรุปยังไงนะ ?---? เสียดายจุดนี้มาก
ปล.ตอนแรกคิดว่าเล่มนี้จะ Spicy เบา ๆ สรุปก็ยัง extra spicy สำหรับเราอยู่ดี ดูทรงแล้วคงจะเป็นทั้งเซ็ตสินะ 55555555555
October 12, 2023
Wow, Sloane St. James absolutely nailed this book! It’s so freaking good. I loved Barrett and Raleigh’s story, it completely hooked me from page one. This hockey romance has it all, primal/breeding, secret baby, he falls first, dirty talking MMC, single mom and second chance. If you’re looking for an amazing hockey book this is it!!
June 26, 2024
5⭐ / 4🌶️
— vibezz
🐻 age gap [33/38H 22/27h]
🐨 accidental pregnancy
🐻 ons where it all went wrong
🐨 he falls first and harder
🐻 second chance
mini blurb — ✍🏻
In Raleigh's what was missing was love and affection, she looked for those feeling any way she could, and tried to not get attached to faces and people for fear of disappointment.
That until all that could go wrong one night turned out to be one of the best and worst moment of her life, where she gained the love of her life and experienced the loss that broke her heart.
Five years later can she allow her heart to hope for some happiness?
//
I knew I'd love this book I KNEW IT
With all honesty I was little skeptical with the premise but that evaporated quickly within 2 chapters into this book.
I fell in love with them, I fell in love with everything in this book, the story was amazing, angsty and full of happy moments 🥹
Barrett made me cry with all his cute moments with Arthur, his acts of service and let me tell you this man can grovel like a champ 💚 once his mind was set he stopped at nothing until he had what he wanted.
Raleigh, girl, I cannot find a flaw in anything she did. She was a force of nature, amazing mom, intelligent woman, witty, gorgeous, brilliant, if I keep going I'm gonna quote lady gaga here bc she deserve nothing if not more.
read, this book.
I still have heart eyes as I'm writing this review 🥹🩷
— vibezz
🐻 age gap [33/38H 22/27h]
🐨 accidental pregnancy
🐻 ons where it all went wrong
🐨 he falls first and harder
🐻 second chance
mini blurb — ✍🏻
In Raleigh's what was missing was love and affection, she looked for those feeling any way she could, and tried to not get attached to faces and people for fear of disappointment.
That until all that could go wrong one night turned out to be one of the best and worst moment of her life, where she gained the love of her life and experienced the loss that broke her heart.
Five years later can she allow her heart to hope for some happiness?
//
I knew I'd love this book I KNEW IT
With all honesty I was little skeptical with the premise but that evaporated quickly within 2 chapters into this book.
I fell in love with them, I fell in love with everything in this book, the story was amazing, angsty and full of happy moments 🥹
Barrett made me cry with all his cute moments with Arthur, his acts of service and let me tell you this man can grovel like a champ 💚 once his mind was set he stopped at nothing until he had what he wanted.
Raleigh, girl, I cannot find a flaw in anything she did. She was a force of nature, amazing mom, intelligent woman, witty, gorgeous, brilliant, if I keep going I'm gonna quote lady gaga here bc she deserve nothing if not more.
read, this book.
I still have heart eyes as I'm writing this review 🥹🩷
unsafe-not-to-be-read
May 6, 2024self note: read a spoiler review where it said that the H loved the h but slept with OW. same goes for the h. she slept with OM but her friend said that she's been celibate a long time. idk wtf that's supposed to mean then lolz. also the h is a homewrecker (there's a scene where she sees a married man and remembers that she slept with him. this is thought/said without remorse). not for me.
July 2, 2024
3.75/5 just felt really surface level for some reason. STILL finished it and enjoyed it, I just wish there were deeper conversations. He almost made it too easy for her with being SO open and ready (which was AMAZING) but idk… I needed a bit more growing tension between them
October 13, 2023
in the game is book 3 in the series (can be read as a stand-alone) and follows raleigh & barrett after a one night stand and an insane connection. and maybe an accidental baby. but raleigh has no way of reaching the hotshot hockey player.
this book was a ride. barrett falls first and sooooo hard. the groveling? the acts of service? the trip to hawaii???? I was swooning the whole time. raleigh is a bad ass single working mom and I loved her son (and his obsession with koalas).
I kinda wish there was a bit more going on in the third act. I felt like there was a little something missing for me to hit 5 stars. But I really did have a fun time reading this!
thank you sm to Sloane for an arc! this book comes out next week on 10/16!!
read if you like
✨ hockey romance
✨ secret baby
✨ age gap
✨ curvy fmc
✨ primal play
✨ he falls first and so hard
this book was a ride. barrett falls first and sooooo hard. the groveling? the acts of service? the trip to hawaii???? I was swooning the whole time. raleigh is a bad ass single working mom and I loved her son (and his obsession with koalas).
I kinda wish there was a bit more going on in the third act. I felt like there was a little something missing for me to hit 5 stars. But I really did have a fun time reading this!
thank you sm to Sloane for an arc! this book comes out next week on 10/16!!
read if you like
✨ hockey romance
✨ secret baby
✨ age gap
✨ curvy fmc
✨ primal play
✨ he falls first and so hard
December 31, 2023
Fabulously sweet!
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: secret baby/second chance
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
This was my first Sloane St James book and I absolutely loved it! This is a ONS/secret baby/second chance story that will warm you down to your toes, while leaving you hot in your seat, lol. Great storyline, wonderful characters, and solid "reasons" for the secret part. Loved our cinnamon roll hero who has been pining for this girl and was all in at first and second glance. Loved how possessive and growly he was, all while being sweet and considerate. Our FMC is one strong lady, but she does have emotional trauma to get past before she can move toward the HEA he wants to give her. FLOVED that there was no third act break up! Highly recommend and I can't wait to delve into more of Ms St James books!
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: secret baby/second chance
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
This was my first Sloane St James book and I absolutely loved it! This is a ONS/secret baby/second chance story that will warm you down to your toes, while leaving you hot in your seat, lol. Great storyline, wonderful characters, and solid "reasons" for the secret part. Loved our cinnamon roll hero who has been pining for this girl and was all in at first and second glance. Loved how possessive and growly he was, all while being sweet and considerate. Our FMC is one strong lady, but she does have emotional trauma to get past before she can move toward the HEA he wants to give her. FLOVED that there was no third act break up! Highly recommend and I can't wait to delve into more of Ms St James books!
December 27, 2024
4.75⭐️ | 4.5🌶
I DEVOURED THIS! oh my soul, this was perfect!. the connection, the spice, the pining, the "it's always been you," i was here for every single second. the nicknames! I'm screaming. barrett's agent, julia and darlene irritated me though. beyond. but I loved everything about this book. Arthur was just the sweetest, most curious kid. I wanted to hug Heather. I need similar book recs immediately.
I DEVOURED THIS! oh my soul, this was perfect!. the connection, the spice, the pining, the "it's always been you," i was here for every single second. the nicknames! I'm screaming. barrett's agent, julia and darlene irritated me though. beyond. but I loved everything about this book. Arthur was just the sweetest, most curious kid. I wanted to hug Heather. I need similar book recs immediately.
May 31, 2024
Rating 5/5 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Spice Level 3.5/5🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶
Some Primal play
Secret baby
Age gap 11 years (22 & 33)
One night stand
Actual good plot & Spice
Breeding K!nk
Second Chance
"MINE"
You know it's a damn good book when you're like, "I feel like it's a 5-star book, and you're like 1/3 of a book". Listen, I know most or a few of us are not fans of the secret baby trope. Totally understand, I am neither really here or there for it, but this OH MY GOD! I had so many emotions throughout this book OH EM GEE!!!
BEAR! I love him. HE IS BIG I can climb him like a tree 6"7 GURRRRRL?!!! stop. Ok I lost the plot of the review. Anyways. She is always looking for a good time with hockey players to feel the euphoria ("you do you girl, good for you"!!!), then Raleigh meets the one and only Barett! After that night and being called "bunny" it scared the hell out her she YEETED and DELETED herself out of there. You know what happens next.
I totally loved this book, guys. Our big heart has a big heart and big redacted* I adored this book. Despite the miscommunication (which I am not a fan of, but I know we all hate it), I could get past it because the mountains of obstacles and emotions that these characters have been through are all worth it. IN THE END, they get their HEA! That is all I care about, tbh, and that's my honest review. I loved it! I am excited to read the last book. I love this series!!!
December 28, 2023
4.5 ✨
I regret reading this because I really liked the other WAGS and I know they’ve already had their own books bc this was like book 4 from a stand alone series and now I have to go back in time to get their stories 😭
Either way it was really good. But very much instalove and secret baby, which I know are touchy tropes for some people.
I did not round up to a 5 because of the ending of the book. I did not like the resolution to the main conflict. I don’t want to give too much details as it will be a huge spoiler, but it should’ve just stuck with the original story.
I also wish Barrett’s mom was more involved towards the end of their story, it was like we got that one emotional part with her and then that was it.
I regret reading this because I really liked the other WAGS and I know they’ve already had their own books bc this was like book 4 from a stand alone series and now I have to go back in time to get their stories 😭
Either way it was really good. But very much instalove and secret baby, which I know are touchy tropes for some people.
I did not round up to a 5 because of the ending of the book. I did not like the resolution to the main conflict. I don’t want to give too much details as it will be a huge spoiler, but it should’ve just stuck with the original story.
I also wish Barrett’s mom was more involved towards the end of their story, it was like we got that one emotional part with her and then that was it.
January 21, 2024
Man this book made me emotional being a mom. So good. Barrett is so sweet and I really loved Raleigh. Their story is insane and I’m so glad it ended happily
May 12, 2025
If somebody could please explain why I fully cried multiple times reading this????????
November 4, 2025
▹TL;DR Review: A fun single-parent hockey romance with heavy emphasis on spice. Some may find that it makes the story feel a bit rushed and less emotionally developed, but others may bask in the hot hockey player aggression.
▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★.5 out of 5
▹Format: 📱 eReader
─────────────────────────
○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○
– About: Raleigh Dunham, a former hockey player-turned “puck bunny” model who uses one-night arrangements with hockey players to feel seen, meets Barrett Conway, a star hockey player whose night with her turns into far more. Years later they collide again, but now there’s a child in the mix and a chance at something real.
– FMC: Raleigh Dunham (aka “love”). 26 years old. Smart, witty, a little unsure of herself due to her past. Works for a marketing company. Learning to love her curves since the birth of her son, Arthur. Has a thing about the etymology of names.
– MMC: Barret Conway (aka “Bear”). 38 years old. Professional hockey player. Looking for more out of love vs. casual. Wants to take care of what’s his.
– Location: Minneapolis, MN
– POV: Dual first-person
– Spice: 9-11 open-door explicit spicy scenes
– Tropes: Secret/unexpected child; second-chance/one night turned forever; age gap (he’s 12 years older); sports romance (hockey); single parent; career conflict, curvy FMC (and the MMC loves it), he falls HARD
– Content warning: unplanned pregnancy, emotional cruelty, estranged parent, secret child, koala chlamydia (discussion) ☺
– Representation: being a badass single mom with a career making the most out of life for their kid
─────────────────────────
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 1:00 ──ㅇ────── 4:12
Now Playing: Wagon Wheel by Old Crow Medicine Show
─────────────────────────
★○ If You Like the Following, You Might Like This Book ○★
➼ Reckless by Elsie Silver, but a hockey player instead of a rodeo star, and an executive assistant/marketing major instead of a surgeon
➼ Hockey romances with a lot of spice, like Off-Campus Series by Elle Kennedy, Playing for Keeps Series by Becka Mack, and D.C. Stars Series by Chelsea Curto
➼ Meeting a hot local hockey player, eating burnt pizza, ending up at his place, having a wild night, sneaking out before the sun’s up, finding out you’re pregnant, and finding out he’s a huge asshole when you tell him you’re pregnant…☺
─────────────────────────
⍟»This or That«⍟
Character Driven———✧————————Plot Driven
Fast Burn——✧—————————Slow Burn
Sweet——————————✧—Spicy
Light/Fluffy————✧———————Heavy/Emotional
─────────────────────────
🎯 My Thoughts:
I love a single parent romance more than most (I think) so this was a fun time. That said, there were a lot of parallels to Reckless by Elsie Silver… It was also unique, but yeah… had a lot of parallels.
But…and I am daring to say this…I think this series maybe has TOO much spice. As a spicy book reader (and lover), the amount of spice in this book was unnecessary and detracted from the book. I feel like the ending was rushed…so maybe cut 1-2 spice scenes and flesh that out a bit more?
Would I Recommend?: Maybe. I still really enjoy this series, but it won’t be my favorite hockey romance at the end of the day. Just a fun palette cleanser for me. It’s not that it’s fluffy or lacks depth, it’s just that some of the story is watered down by the intimate scenes imo.
_____________________
How I’ve Rated the Series (so far):
• Before We Came: 3.75★
• Strong and Wild: 3.25★
• In the Game: 3.5★
▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★.5 out of 5
▹Format: 📱 eReader
─────────────────────────
○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○
– About: Raleigh Dunham, a former hockey player-turned “puck bunny” model who uses one-night arrangements with hockey players to feel seen, meets Barrett Conway, a star hockey player whose night with her turns into far more. Years later they collide again, but now there’s a child in the mix and a chance at something real.
– FMC: Raleigh Dunham (aka “love”). 26 years old. Smart, witty, a little unsure of herself due to her past. Works for a marketing company. Learning to love her curves since the birth of her son, Arthur. Has a thing about the etymology of names.
– MMC: Barret Conway (aka “Bear”). 38 years old. Professional hockey player. Looking for more out of love vs. casual. Wants to take care of what’s his.
– Location: Minneapolis, MN
– POV: Dual first-person
– Spice: 9-11 open-door explicit spicy scenes
– Tropes: Secret/unexpected child; second-chance/one night turned forever; age gap (he’s 12 years older); sports romance (hockey); single parent; career conflict, curvy FMC (and the MMC loves it), he falls HARD
– Content warning: unplanned pregnancy, emotional cruelty, estranged parent, secret child, koala chlamydia (discussion) ☺
– Representation: being a badass single mom with a career making the most out of life for their kid
─────────────────────────
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 1:00 ──ㅇ────── 4:12
Now Playing: Wagon Wheel by Old Crow Medicine Show
╰┈➤ ❝And I'm a-hoping for Raleigh, I can see my baby tonight; rock me, mama, like a wagon wheel; rock me, mama, any way you feel…❞
─────────────────────────
★○ If You Like the Following, You Might Like This Book ○★
➼ Reckless by Elsie Silver, but a hockey player instead of a rodeo star, and an executive assistant/marketing major instead of a surgeon
➼ Hockey romances with a lot of spice, like Off-Campus Series by Elle Kennedy, Playing for Keeps Series by Becka Mack, and D.C. Stars Series by Chelsea Curto
➼ Meeting a hot local hockey player, eating burnt pizza, ending up at his place, having a wild night, sneaking out before the sun’s up, finding out you’re pregnant, and finding out he’s a huge asshole when you tell him you’re pregnant…☺
─────────────────────────
⍟»This or That«⍟
Character Driven———✧————————Plot Driven
Fast Burn——✧—————————Slow Burn
Sweet——————————✧—Spicy
Light/Fluffy————✧———————Heavy/Emotional
─────────────────────────
🎯 My Thoughts:
I love a single parent romance more than most (I think) so this was a fun time. That said, there were a lot of parallels to Reckless by Elsie Silver… It was also unique, but yeah… had a lot of parallels.
But…and I am daring to say this…I think this series maybe has TOO much spice. As a spicy book reader (and lover), the amount of spice in this book was unnecessary and detracted from the book. I feel like the ending was rushed…so maybe cut 1-2 spice scenes and flesh that out a bit more?
Would I Recommend?: Maybe. I still really enjoy this series, but it won’t be my favorite hockey romance at the end of the day. Just a fun palette cleanser for me. It’s not that it’s fluffy or lacks depth, it’s just that some of the story is watered down by the intimate scenes imo.
_____________________
How I’ve Rated the Series (so far):
• Before We Came: 3.75★
• Strong and Wild: 3.25★
• In the Game: 3.5★
June 11, 2024
Oh Barrett… what a man. 🥵🫦
From missing the first 5 years of his son’s life to taking on everything without hesitation. God. I LOVE him and his filthy mouth. ‘Runaway Raleigh’.
“This is mine.” Warmth sweeps over me when he smiles, but when he gives me those words, it’s like I can’t breathe. “Yours?” My voice is shaky. I swallow and shut my eyes. “Yeah, you taste exactly—” His tongue flattens against me and he licks again. “Like mine.”
Bear. 🐻
Mini Bear. 🧸
I loved this read so much!!
From missing the first 5 years of his son’s life to taking on everything without hesitation. God. I LOVE him and his filthy mouth. ‘Runaway Raleigh’.
“This is mine.” Warmth sweeps over me when he smiles, but when he gives me those words, it’s like I can’t breathe. “Yours?” My voice is shaky. I swallow and shut my eyes. “Yeah, you taste exactly—” His tongue flattens against me and he licks again. “Like mine.”
Bear. 🐻
Mini Bear. 🧸
I loved this read so much!!
April 11, 2025
(4.5 ดาว) This book is so full of love! ความแซ่บความเผ็ดเบาลงไปจากสองเล่มแรกมาก พล็อตก็ธรรมดาสุดเลย แต่ชอบสุดในสามเล่มที่อ่านมา
เล่มนี้เป็นโทรป secret baby พระเอกนางเอกเคยวันไนท์สแตนด์กันแล้วนางเอกท้อง แต่พอติดต่อไปบอกพระเอกดันเจออุปสรรคขัดขวาง สุดท้ายนางเอกเลยต้องไปเลี้ยงลูกอยู่คนเดียวหลายปี กลับมาเจอกันอีกทีตอนลูกจะห้าขวบละ พระเอกที่เพิ่งรู้ว่ามีลูกเลยต้องมาทำดีพิสูจน์ตัวเองให้ลูกเมียยอมรับ
ด้วยความที่พล็อตเหมือน Reckless ของคุณ Elsie Silver มากกกก ตอนแรกเลยคิดว่าอาจจะไม่ค่อยจอยเล่มนี้เท่าไหร่ เพราะเคยอ่านเล่มที่เขียนได้ดีมากๆ แบบ Reckless มาแล้ว กลัวว่าอ่านแล้วจะเกิดการเปรียบเทียบจนไม่อินกับเล่มนี้เท่าที่ควร แต่ปรากฏว่าความคล้ายนั้นไม่ใช่ปัญหาแต่อย่างใด ยังคงอ่านเล่มนี้ได้อย่างเพลิดเพลินแม้ไม่มีอะไรแปลกใหม่เลยสักอย่าง
สิ่งที่ชอบมากๆ ในเล่มนี้คือมันเต็มไปด้วยความ emotional ทั้งความ angst ที่พระเอกนางเอกต้องเสียเวลากันไปหลายปี, regret ว่าทำไมตอนนั้นไม่ทำแบบนั้นแบบนี้, ความโหยหาในช่วงเวลาที่หายหน้ากันไป, ความตื้นตันใจที่ได้กลายมาเป็นครอบครัวเดียวกัน รู้สึกว่าเล่มนี้สื่ออารมณ์ต่างๆ ของตัวละครออกมาได้ดีมากๆ ทำให้คนอ่านอย่างเราพลอยรู้สึกตามไปด้วยในทุกชั่วขณะ
นอกจากนั้นมันยังเป็นเล่มที่รู้สึกถึงความรักของตัวละครมากๆ โดยเฉพาะฝั่งพระเอก เป็นพระเอกที่แสนดี ดีเลิศเกินมนุษย์มนา อภิชาตผัวตัวพ่อ คนเขียนแสดงความรักความใส่ใจของพระเอกผ่าน gesture มากมายตลอดทั้งเรื่อง มีทั้งความใส่ใจเล็กๆ อย่างรู้ว่าลูกชอบโคอาล่าก็ไปศึกษาหาความรู้เรื่องโคอาล่าไว้มาคุยกับลูก ไปจนถึง gesture ยิ่งใหญ่แบบ เป็นพระเอกที่สุดจะ considerate ซึ่งการเห็นนางเอกลำบากลำบนมานานแล้วได้มาเจอพระเอกดีๆ อย่างนี้มันก็ทำให้พลอยยินดีไปกับนางเอกแหละ คือเป็นพระเอกนางเอกแบบ I know you can take care of yourself but now let me take care of you อ้ะ อ่านแล้วมันอุ๋งอิ๋งในใจ น้อง Arthur ลูกพระเอกนางเอกก็สุดจะน่ารักน่าเอ็นดู
สาเหตุที่ไม่ได้ให้ 5 ดาวเต็มๆ เพราะรู้สึกตอนท้ายมันแอบยืดนิดนึง และมีพล็อตโฮลที่ยังไม่ค่อยเคลียร์เท่าไหร่ แต่โดยรวมคือดีต่อใจ อบอุ่น น่ารัก อ่านจบแล้วนอนหลับฝันดี ตื่นมาอีกทียังยิ้มค้างอยู่ ชอบมั่ก
เล่มนี้เป็นโทรป secret baby พระเอกนางเอกเคยวันไนท์สแตนด์กันแล้วนางเอกท้อง แต่พอติดต่อไปบอกพระเอกดันเจออุปสรรคขัดขวาง สุดท้ายนางเอกเลยต้องไปเลี้ยงลูกอยู่คนเดียวหลายปี กลับมาเจอกันอีกทีตอนลูกจะห้าขวบละ พระเอกที่เพิ่งรู้ว่ามีลูกเลยต้องมาทำดีพิสูจน์ตัวเองให้ลูกเมียยอมรับ
ด้วยความที่พล็อตเหมือน Reckless ของคุณ Elsie Silver มากกกก ตอนแรกเลยคิดว่าอาจจะไม่ค่อยจอยเล่มนี้เท่าไหร่ เพราะเคยอ่านเล่มที่เขียนได้ดีมากๆ แบบ Reckless มาแล้ว กลัวว่าอ่านแล้วจะเกิดการเปรียบเทียบจนไม่อินกับเล่มนี้เท่าที่ควร แต่ปรากฏว่าความคล้ายนั้นไม่ใช่ปัญหาแต่อย่างใด ยังคงอ่านเล่มนี้ได้อย่างเพลิดเพลินแม้ไม่มีอะไรแปลกใหม่เลยสักอย่าง
สิ่งที่ชอบมากๆ ในเล่มนี้คือมันเต็มไปด้วยความ emotional ทั้งความ angst ที่พระเอกนางเอกต้องเสียเวลากันไปหลายปี, regret ว่าทำไมตอนนั้นไม่ทำแบบนั้นแบบนี้, ความโหยหาในช่วงเวลาที่หายหน้ากันไป, ความตื้นตันใจที่ได้กลายมาเป็นครอบครัวเดียวกัน รู้สึกว่าเล่มนี้สื่ออารมณ์ต่างๆ ของตัวละครออกมาได้ดีมากๆ ทำให้คนอ่านอย่างเราพลอยรู้สึกตามไปด้วยในทุกชั่วขณะ
นอกจากนั้นมันยังเป็นเล่มที่รู้สึกถึงความรักของตัวละครมากๆ โดยเฉพาะฝั่งพระเอก เป็นพระเอกที่แสนดี ดีเลิศเกินมนุษย์มนา อภิชาตผัวตัวพ่อ คนเขียนแสดงความรักความใส่ใจของพระเอกผ่าน gesture มากมายตลอดทั้งเรื่อง มีทั้งความใส่ใจเล็กๆ อย่างรู้ว่าลูกชอบโคอาล่าก็ไปศึกษาหาความรู้เรื่องโคอาล่าไว้มาคุยกับลูก ไปจนถึง gesture ยิ่งใหญ่แบบ เป็นพระเอกที่สุดจะ considerate ซึ่งการเห็นนางเอกลำบากลำบนมานานแล้วได้มาเจอพระเอกดีๆ อย่างนี้มันก็ทำให้พลอยยินดีไปกับนางเอกแหละ คือเป็นพระเอกนางเอกแบบ I know you can take care of yourself but now let me take care of you อ้ะ อ่านแล้วมันอุ๋งอิ๋งในใจ น้อง Arthur ลูกพระเอกนางเอกก็สุดจะน่ารักน่าเอ็นดู
สาเหตุที่ไม่ได้ให้ 5 ดาวเต็มๆ เพราะรู้สึกตอนท้ายมันแอบยืดนิดนึง และมีพล็อตโฮลที่ยังไม่ค่อยเคลียร์เท่าไหร่ แต่โดยรวมคือดีต่อใจ อบอุ่น น่ารัก อ่านจบแล้วนอนหลับฝันดี ตื่นมาอีกทียังยิ้มค้างอยู่ ชอบมั่ก
June 29, 2024
2 stars
i just have to dnf this at 80%
i cannot find it in me to care how this story ends because frankly, it's the most predictable thing ever. the smut is so cringey along with the nickname "Bear" for the mmc, and his possessive side makes me super uncomfortable. i gotta give it to raleigh though – good for her to have her mans and kid, but this is no bueno for me.
i just have to dnf this at 80%
i cannot find it in me to care how this story ends because frankly, it's the most predictable thing ever. the smut is so cringey along with the nickname "Bear" for the mmc, and his possessive side makes me super uncomfortable. i gotta give it to raleigh though – good for her to have her mans and kid, but this is no bueno for me.
February 22, 2024
Raleigh has always embraced being a "Puck Bunny", the guys are bigger man wh0re's anyway! Raleigh's first night with hot Hockey player Barret changed everything, and they never got each others contact information, causing a case of terrible miscommunication that leaves Raleigh trying to find her sweet Bear, only to be met with a callous and cruel man on the other side of the Instagram handle. Barrett has been looking for Raleigh everywhere, every bar, every event, social media, you name it, he's tried it and pined for her. Fast forward 5 years, and a chance encounter brings them together again, only Raleigh isn't alone.
"But as soon as I slid inside you, it was like a switch flipped in my brain. Like, that was it. My vision was perfectly clear, and you were all I wanted. My heart was at peace. My soul was on fire. Life seemed brighter and more optimistic. It felt like we were... I don't know, like we had already known each other, and I knew it would always feel like that when we were together. I knew you were someone important I didn't want to let go of."
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
OK real talk, this was my favorite of the series! Raleigh and Barret have a hot one night stand that leaves Raleigh pregnant and no way to contact Barrett. She messages is Instagram, tries the hockey arena, everything short of showing up to a game with her pregnant belly on display. But when Barret finally does message her back from his "private" Instagram account, telling her to stop contacting him or there will be legal repercussions, horrific name calling, Raleigh decides she doesn't need this ass in her life and delivers and raises their son alone for 5 years. When Barrett sees her again, he is so happy, he's been looking for her all along, and he recognizes Aurthur as his son almost immediately. Normally I get annoyed by the miscommunication trope, but I feel as if this one didn't count as there were outside forces sabotaging them.
I adored all the references to "Bear", I just found it to be such a sexy nickname for this big bear of a man that will do anything to be in his son's life, even if that means never revealing that he is the father. And as usual, all the men on this hockey team are exceptional dirty talkers!
"But as soon as I slid inside you, it was like a switch flipped in my brain. Like, that was it. My vision was perfectly clear, and you were all I wanted. My heart was at peace. My soul was on fire. Life seemed brighter and more optimistic. It felt like we were... I don't know, like we had already known each other, and I knew it would always feel like that when we were together. I knew you were someone important I didn't want to let go of."
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
OK real talk, this was my favorite of the series! Raleigh and Barret have a hot one night stand that leaves Raleigh pregnant and no way to contact Barrett. She messages is Instagram, tries the hockey arena, everything short of showing up to a game with her pregnant belly on display. But when Barret finally does message her back from his "private" Instagram account, telling her to stop contacting him or there will be legal repercussions, horrific name calling, Raleigh decides she doesn't need this ass in her life and delivers and raises their son alone for 5 years. When Barrett sees her again, he is so happy, he's been looking for her all along, and he recognizes Aurthur as his son almost immediately. Normally I get annoyed by the miscommunication trope, but I feel as if this one didn't count as there were outside forces sabotaging them.
I adored all the references to "Bear", I just found it to be such a sexy nickname for this big bear of a man that will do anything to be in his son's life, even if that means never revealing that he is the father. And as usual, all the men on this hockey team are exceptional dirty talkers!
September 4, 2025
★★★★¼
ธีโอวินเท่อ 2.0 secret baby trope ที่ส่วนตัวรู้สึกอินกว่า emotional depth ทำถึงกว่า ตัวละครทำอะไรสมเหตุสมผลดี อ่านละมันมีความสาแก่ใจอยู่เรื่อยๆ บอกไม่ถูก 60%แรกนี่ค่ดจะชอบ โซฟาโซกู้ดสิบสิบสิบ พระเอกผัวประเสริฐจิง ละชอบตรงที่นังดู pining จริงจัง ความรักความเทิดทูนนางเอกคือทะลุกระดาษออกมา ทามสกิ๊ปห้าปีนี่ค่ดจะโหดร้ายกะตัวละคร แต่เขาก้ทำให้ทั้งคู่กลับมารักกันได้สมูธดี และไอ่เจ้าลูกชายน่ารักมากกก😭
ช่วงหลังๆ ยังมี plot progession อยู่ แต่บาล้านซ์มันหายอะ ปมบางอันรวบรัดเกิน ส่วนของครอบครัวพ่อแม่ลูกก้ยืดเกินและพระนางเน้ดกันบ่อยจนผมท้อคับพี่ ผมให้เล่มนี้เฝือกว่าเล่มสองนะในแง่ spicy scenes น่ะ แต่ใดๆ ในแง่ความเปนโรแม้นซ์บุ๊คก้ถือว่าทำได้อิ่มดีจ้า อิ่มจนจุก
spice: 4/5
ธีโอวินเท่อ 2.0 secret baby trope ที่ส่วนตัวรู้สึกอินกว่า emotional depth ทำถึงกว่า ตัวละครทำอะไรสมเหตุสมผลดี อ่านละมันมีความสาแก่ใจอยู่เรื่อยๆ บอกไม่ถูก 60%แรกนี่ค่ดจะชอบ โซฟาโซกู้ดสิบสิบสิบ พระเอกผัวประเสริฐจิง ละชอบตรงที่นังดู pining จริงจัง ความรักความเทิดทูนนางเอกคือทะลุกระดาษออกมา ทามสกิ๊ปห้าปีนี่ค่ดจะโหดร้ายกะตัวละคร แต่เขาก้ทำให้ทั้งคู่กลับมารักกันได้สมูธดี และไอ่เจ้าลูกชายน่ารักมากกก😭
ช่วงหลังๆ ยังมี plot progession อยู่ แต่บาล้านซ์มันหายอะ ปมบางอันรวบรัดเกิน ส่วนของครอบครัวพ่อแม่ลูกก้ยืดเกินและพระนางเน้ดกันบ่อยจนผมท้อคับพี่ ผมให้เล่มนี้เฝือกว่าเล่มสองนะในแง่ spicy scenes น่ะ แต่ใดๆ ในแง่ความเปนโรแม้นซ์บุ๊คก้ถือว่าทำได้อิ่มดีจ้า อิ่มจนจุก
spice: 4/5
February 11, 2025
These books just become more and more addicting each one I read in the series. I absolutely adored this second chance, secret baby romance book, in the Lakes Hockey interconnected standalone series by Sloane St James. Barrett Conway could be my baby daddy any day.
It was spicy, filled with Sloane's signature banter and full of emotional scenes. I flew through this book and cannot wait to read the next one.
4.5 stars > 5 stars
It was spicy, filled with Sloane's signature banter and full of emotional scenes. I flew through this book and cannot wait to read the next one.
4.5 stars > 5 stars
July 28, 2024
Ппц вони солодкі ❤️
October 12, 2023
I was lucky enough to be given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. And honestly I loved this whole series so much! But THIS was hands down my favorite book of the series! The story drug me in and I just couldn’t put it down! This book can be read as a stand alone or in the series and I would suggest reading the first two for sure! The smutt was smutty and that’s all I’m gonna say about that! I swear I love a lost love troupe! The rage I felt was real and the swooning I did was also real 😂 Each book in this series I’m like nope 👎 don’t forgive him girl! And then 2 chapters later, I’m right back in head first fighting for their love story to workout! To Bear and Ral, I hope you “happily ever after” 😘 I can’t wait for the next book in this series!
February 7, 2024
When I saw “surprise baby” trope, I honestly wasn’t too excited but I’ve loved the rest of the series so thought I’d give it a crack. I was very pleasantly surprised!
It was a rollercoaster of emotions.
Super funny, very real at times, spicy and the ending was cute as hell.
It was a rollercoaster of emotions.
Super funny, very real at times, spicy and the ending was cute as hell.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,927 reviews