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Richland Renegades #2

Any Bit of Luck: A Single Dad, Fun & Games Hockey Romance

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All’s fair in love and ping pong.

I’ve become a thief.


Correction. Merri Wylie, the new video coach for the Richland Renegades, has turned me into a thief. Or, at least, a serial borrower.

Not that I’m blaming her for my slump. And it’s not her fault she has the key to breaking it, either. But facts are facts and I’m scoring better than ever now that she’s in the mix.

Now we’re betting on everything from ping pong battles to inflatable obstacle courses so I can keep my losing streak at bay. But she’s winning more than just our friendly competitions. Between her swishy skirts and perfect curves, she’s wrapping me around her finger.

I’m full steam ahead with Merri until my past catches up with me in the shape of a grumpy twelve-year-old kid I never knew I had.

Between fast track learning this whole dad gig and playoffs around the corner, is it even possible to be the partner Merri deserves?

Hockey’s golden boy can’t take what’s mine.

Whether that’s my Joonie figurine or a chance to become the first full-time, pro-level female video coach. He thinks my desktop figurine is the answer to all his hockey-god prayers, but I need Joonie to keep my head straight.

My mama warned me about men like Shep. I have a Big Plan and a heart full of determination. No amount of sweet southern charm can skate through my defenses. But Shep’s proving he’s different. Showing he has the heart to step up with his daughter. Seducing me into sharing more of myself with every passing moment.

But when a viral video of us threatens my future with the team, I have to decide what I’m willing to give up in order to win.

A standalone, secret relationship, workplace romance between a golden retriever single dad and the most competitive, girliest of girls.

410 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 27, 2025

13 people are currently reading
135 people want to read

About the author

Jenna McCall

25 books87 followers

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5 stars
28 (40%)
4 stars
24 (34%)
3 stars
12 (17%)
2 stars
5 (7%)
1 star
1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Donna McEachran.
1,509 reviews33 followers
March 3, 2025
Ok...I love Shep!! From his relationship with his sister, to his reaction to Hannah to the competition with Merri...what is there not to love! He has his sights set on forever...all he needs to do is convince Merri to give it a chance. Loved the relationship between Shy and Hannah as well. Great read.
346 reviews
March 10, 2025
Now this is how you write a hockey romance that incorporates the game with the romance and this marvelous masterpiece doesn’t stop there because it includes a beautiful new dad/teenage daughter relationship, teammate/friend competitions and rivalries and does it all in a small southern town with lots of charm. Oh, I must not forget the rich and powerful Pendletons, owners of the NHL Richland Renegades who bring their on special flare to the book. And it just wouldn’t be right if I didn’t mention these two important correspondences that keep us all well informed: The Dispatch, the up-to-date news and gossip center on the Renegades with columnist Penni of Penni’s Puckleberry Tea, and Renegades Rinkside, the “authoritative voice” for the Renegades. Yes, fact, fiction, speculation and a whole lot of stirring the pot.

I couldn’t help but love the “Golden Boy” of the Renegades Shep Landon even when he confesses from the very beginning that “Two paddles, one tiny white ball of chaos. That’s all it took for Merri Wylie to turn me into a thief.” That’s not all she did to him and it was a delight seeing him fall first and watching him in his determination to keep her Funko Pop and win her over. Add in his acceptance of his teenage daughter from the beginning and his determination to be there for her, to be the best dad he could be sealed the deal for me. Merri was sunshine amongst a team of grumpy hockey players and she showed she was a force to be reckoned with winning all those grumps over. Of course it wasn’t all sunshine and no storms for Merri and Shep but when the thunder roared, this romantic at heart couldn’t have asked for a better ending. I don’t know what kind of lucky charm Jenna McCall has but she definitely has a winner with this book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
908 reviews6 followers
March 1, 2025
Book 2 in the Richland Renegades series delivers another delightful, low-angst romance with Shep and Merri’s story. Shep, the golden boy of the hockey team, is a fiercely competitive player navigating his first career slump. Merri, the new video coach, is a hyper-feminine statistics genius determined to prove herself in a male-dominated field. Despite a non-fraternization clause and Merri’s resolve to avoid hockey players, their chemistry is undeniable. But when Shep discovers he has a teenage daughter, his priorities shift, and he’s forced to balance parenting, his career, and his growing feelings for Merri.

This dual POV romance is a perfect blend of sweet, steamy, and heartfelt moments. Shep’s gentle perseverance and genuine consideration for Merri’s situation make him an endearing hero, while Merri’s resilience and determination to succeed in a tough environment are inspiring. Their competitive banter—from pingpong to escape rooms—adds a fun, playful dynamic to their slow-burn relationship. The steamy scenes are well-balanced with emotional depth, particularly as Shep navigates his new role as a father and Merri confronts her grief and anxiety.

The secondary characters, including Shep’s daughter Hannah and familiar faces from Jenna’s other novels, add warmth and richness to the story. While Shep’s instant feelings for Merri felt a bit rushed, their journey is so engaging and heartfelt that it’s easy to overlook. This book is a thoughtful, heartwarming read with plenty of banter, chemistry, and a touch of drama. If you enjoy forbidden sports romances with strong character development and a satisfying HEA, this one is a winner! A solid four-star read that leaves you smiling.
2,890 reviews30 followers
February 26, 2025
4.25 stars. Shep, the male professional hockey player lead, has been committed to no one, other than his sister, after being raised by functionally negligent parents. Highly competitive, he’s become very successful, though he’s currently in his first long slump.

Merri, the female lead, has just scored a temporary position as a video coach for Shep’s team. It includes a non-fraternisation clause that she knows won’t matter because she has no intention of engaging with hockey players after a poor past experience. But if Shep wants to play competitive games, she’s more than happy to beat him at them!

Whilst the non-fraternisation clause exists, Shep finds himself almost irresistibly drawn to Merri.

Then a lady shows up at his sister’s house bringing a teenage girl who she says is her granddaughter and Shep’s daughter. Now Shep has to change his focus fast and he doesn’t have time for Merri…right?

This story is dual POV, well written, and a sweet and steamy, contemporary, forbidden sports romance. I enjoyed Shep’s gentle perseverance and his genuine consideration of Merri’s situation and his willingness to sacrifice for her benefit. I enjoyed Merri’s resilience, and her determination to succeed in a male dominated environment whilst retaining her feminine presentation. I enjoyed that the characters enjoyed that they could compete with each other. I enjoyed the steamy intimate scenes. I enjoyed the relationship development Shep had with his daughter. I enjoyed the supportive and integrated secondary characters.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
Profile Image for Laura Black Reads.
622 reviews10 followers
February 26, 2025
Book 2 in the Richland Renegades series, and it stands alone. As always author Jenna creates a breezy and low-angst romance full of likeable characters, shenanigans and drama, but with a serious core. Here we have Merri, a hyper-feminine statistics genius who is the new video coach for the Renegades hockey team. She’s gorgeous, and sunshiny, but hiding grief and anxiety. Shep is the golden boy in the team. He’s heir-apparent to the Captain, a talented player and super-superstitious - even if he denies it. Life overtakes him when he is forced into parenting the thirteen year old daughter he didn’t know he had, and he breaks a losing streak in hockey as he meets Merri. They both have contracts with non-fraternisation clauses so they keep their attraction under wraps. It’s a slow burn for them as Shep is also learning to parent, and Merri is navigating the sexism that comes with her job, alongside her need to prove herself.

They are both intensely competitive, and much of the novel is taken up with their games - from pingpong to an escape room, there’s lots of fun and we get to see some of the family and friends from Jenna’s other novels. There's plenty of banter and chemistry for Shep and Merri.

This is both warm and thoughtful and secondary characters keep it interesting - how lovely to see Clyde 🐶

If I had a quibble, it’s that Shep’s feelings are a lot of insta-love, but as he’s a honey, and Merri is just delightful, I could buy it! I loved his budding relationship with daughter Hannah. Merri’s self awareness about her anxiety is so appealing and I just wanted them to get together and be happy. Such a delightful read.

Thank you Jenna McCall for the ARC. Opinions are my own.
1,064 reviews
March 1, 2025
strong female lead

I loved this book and the characters even more

Without being super in your face in the slightest, not preachy or over the top, the author delivers a wonderfully feminine character who leans into being a girl so hard, whilst wiped the floor with her male counterparts in her male dominated workplace.
Give her the most wonderful golden retriever of a hockey player and the combination is killer

Honestly there are so many storylines in this book, all of them surrounding the main characters and they are interwoven beautifully

Hidden kids most usually my trope but again the author brings her twist to this which just adds another dimension to the book

If I had one complaint it would be that whilst there was a lot of Shep/Hannah and Shep/Merri scenes, there were very little Merri/Hannah ones even right at the end. I did think that could have been fleshed out a little more but to be honest the whole book left me feeling happy and warm so I’m not complaining too loudly
744 reviews17 followers
February 27, 2025
Any Bit of Luck is the second book in the Richland Renegades series written by Jenna McCall.

💜 Hockey player
💜 Video Coach
💜 Competitive Spirit
💜 Past Hurts
💜 🌶🌶🌶 spice

He didn’t believe in good luck charms. Rituals? Routines? Yes. Those were important. But when the equipment manager grabbed his socks that he wore and then lost them? A terrible streak of bad luck on the ice followed. Shep needed to do something to break this and get back on top. Would he be able to turn things around? Would life get back on track for him on the ice?

This was a fun addition to the Richland Renegades series. You don’t have to read them in order as each are technically about different characters. But you could miss out on some cross over things that make the book oh so richer. I really liked how each of the main characters had their own quirks and styles but still appreciated each other’s quirks without trying to change them. I really enjoyed this story and can’t wait for the next one to come out.
1,387 reviews7 followers
March 2, 2025
This was a fun story that had a good blend of romance, humour and drama. The characters were likeable and the plot moved at a decent pace.

My only minor issues were that 1. Shep didn't have a conversation with Hannah about him pursuing a relationship with Merri-- not to ask permission or anything, but maybe to reassure her that he'll still make her a priority even while seeing where things go with Merri? 2. His nickname for both Hannah and Merri are the same-- their name plus bean on the end. It just struck me odd. Or maybe he's just unoriginal? 3. Shep told us multiple times that Merri's eyes were summer-green. Four of those times happened in a single chapter.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
210 reviews3 followers
March 2, 2025
Ooohhhhh loved the banter and competition. Not too much hockey but just enough hockey to keep me interested. Loved the pep that she brought to the halls of the arena. And I love how her fashion was on the sports Instagram too!

I wanted more of his relationship with his daughter and friends. I loved how he was willing to sacrifice his career for his daughter. He was so grumpy but every bit of him was ready for her and I loved that vulnerability he showed.

I do wish there was more of an explanation for all of the side characters: I started to get confused between everyone. Overall, great vibes and banter and fashion.
555 reviews5 followers
March 4, 2025
A book of two halves. The strong Male NHL star player and the new pleasant video coach. He has been free and single guy, but discovers he has a teenage daughter, with a girl he had a romance with years ago. She has issues with being burned by her ex, also a hockey player. He has made the grade and she is trying to make her mark in a Male dominated position.
Humour and banter, trouble and strife in public and personal life. Two adversaries who jostle over Joonie ownership, her good luck charm, table tennis supremacy and their attraction to each other.
Well written, great characters and decent storyline...love Millsey and her straight talking at the meeting.
76 reviews1 follower
February 27, 2025
Book 2 in the Richland Renegades series, but a standalone so don't let that intimidate you!

Shep & Merri are competitive, charming, and just right. I throughly enjoyed the banter and tension between them from page one. Through surprises they both have to face, they are just very clearly what each other needs.

I think it was well paced, engaging with the dual POV, enough spice and momentum to keep all levels of interest. I missed reading the first Renegades book but after this I can't wait to check it out. Pop this on your TBR.
409 reviews6 followers
February 28, 2025
This is the first book I've read from Jenna McCall and it won't be my last. I enjoyed the story between Shep and Merri - they both are competitive which brings out the playful side in both of them. Their chemistry is palpable but they work together and there is a no fraternization clause. These two have to figure out how to navigate the multiple curveballs thrown at them and how to get their own HEA. The cast of characters surrounding them are both fun and intriguing and I'm looking forward to reading more in this series!
417 reviews
March 5, 2025
Missing the puck luck mojo. Hockey at it’s finest. A dual POV tale featuring the Richland Renegades hockey team. Specifically featuring their golden boy and the new video coach. A tale full of competition, superstitions, surprises and hockey. The second in a series but so well written it could be read as a standalone. The characters are full of personality and even the peripheral characters are well described and easy to fall for. There are challenges, secrecy and contracts that get in the way. The story moves in way that aren’t expected but with a little Pop it turns out as it should.
Profile Image for Janeen.
990 reviews
March 11, 2025
Forbidden romance ✔
"surprise baby" (teenager) ✔
he falls first ✔

I do love a good hockey romance and Shep & Merri did not disappoint. Add in amazing family (Shy is awesome) and fun teammates (Zacha is a trip) along with a great group of friends (Scout, Millsy, Novy to name a few) and I would love to hang out with this group!

The way Shep takes finding out about Hannah in stride and is completely on board with figuring out the dad thing from the start is awesome.

I am all in for more Richland Renegades!
Profile Image for K Webz.
1,849 reviews
February 27, 2025
Any Bit Of Luck is a dual POV, forbidden sports romance. The characters are well written, Shep and Merri have amazing chemistry and both had this competitive side that meshed perfectly together.

I loved how Shep was instantly drawn to her. And with juggling becoming a father to a 12 year old he didn’t know about, along with hockey, this guy had so much to step up for. Merri was smart and had to much determination, working her way through a male dominated sport.
144 reviews
March 3, 2025
Wonderful, Fun, Touching
This book was touvhing, sexy and fun. The interaction between Merri and Step was so romantic (and fun). The quick acceptance Sheep had of an unknown daughter, and his effort to be the best dad he could be(not as his parents had been to him) was truly wonderful. A lot of fun times in this latest Hockey Romance, can't wait to start the next one.

Reference Amazon RW6VGAVLJFOKU
Profile Image for Fran.
2,418 reviews4 followers
May 28, 2025
Loved Shep and Meri great romance

Loved Shep’s and Meri’s romance. An unlikely couple, she’s the new video coach and he’s the Renegades Golden boy, going to take the team to the finals. But there are sparks and there are fireworks and these two have the fireworks. But with the no fraternization clause in their contracts can they make it work. Fast paced, steamy and a great romance, lots of laughter and a few tears. I loved it. Waiting impatiently for the next in the series.
843 reviews
February 28, 2025
Shep and Merri both have issues in their past and maybe a few in their present but both are in for an interesting time. A non-fraternization clause in her contract might put both of them in a situation but, the draw to each other may be worth it.
Sweet, steamy, forbidden sports romance. With twists along the way. Enjoy❤️‍🔥
Profile Image for ChapterChaser1 .
273 reviews10 followers
February 28, 2025
I'm not a hockey romance fan but this one is so well written that I did fall in love with the storyline, the spice is well done, don't expect spice on every chapter, but you will love it anyway.shep and merri are a match made in heaven. Brave of the author to touch on the difference and treatment between men and women in their job place.
Well deserved five stars.
2,874 reviews7 followers
March 2, 2025
A playful, fun and heartwarming story.
Shep and Merri were so much fun to read with their competitive antics, chemistry, quirks and forbidden romance.
With a little drama, loads of emotion, banter, character growth, wonderful friendships, family, sweetness, steam and a surprise or two, this was easy to read and quickly won me over with it’s charm and sincerity.
Profile Image for Mrs McN.
401 reviews
June 26, 2025
Spicy, male female, 1st person dual point of view, contemporary romance. This is the second book in the Richland Renegades series but can be read as a standalone. Very cozy hockey romance with a happy ending. I loved all of the characters and enjoyed the writing style. A sweet and steamy slow burn - this was a fun read.
Profile Image for Kristy.
368 reviews5 followers
February 27, 2025
Once again, Jenna delivers a slap shot to the emotions. Moments of levity are woven into the fabric of a low angst romance with depth at its core. Merri has lots of layers in that she is brilliant and confident in her skill set but recognizes her struggle with anxiety, not to mention that she is a female killing it in a predominantly male world. Shep is a bit of an alphahole but life throws him a curve that humbles him a bit and helps him to get his priorities straight. The friendships, fun, family, and the delightful Clyde ensure a dulcet journey toward a happy ever after.
151 reviews
April 1, 2025
So good!

This was such a good story. Shep and Merri’s relationship was angsty…and heart-breaking…and funny; sometimes, all at the same time. I cannot wait for this series to continue!
Profile Image for Sandy Gutting.
797 reviews7 followers
February 25, 2025
This was so good, I could read it again!! This has such great characters and the storyline is amazing!! I am definitely hooked on this series!!
Profile Image for Morgan.
419 reviews2 followers
April 4, 2025
1.59 / 5 - did I feel any connection with or even care about the two main characters ? Not at all. Will I probably read the next in the series ? Sure.
Profile Image for Lauren.
17 reviews
October 6, 2025
... who leaves their grandaughter with some random guy, without 100% knowing he's their dad or that he's not a terrible human? I finished the book but honestly you lost me there.
445 reviews3 followers
March 5, 2025
Shep has been playing for the Richland Renegades which has been a long time dream for him. Merri has been fighting for her place as a video coach at a college level and has been moved up as a temporary replacement at the Renegades which is her first time at the higher level. She has grit and determination right from the beginning. She proves herself when she calls for a coaches review in their first game. As the main characters start to have feelings towards each other, Shep finds out he is a father as well as the couple needs to worry about the no fraternization clause of their contracts. More trouble heads their way when a kiss gets leaked to the press. What will happen with their future? This book had me falling in love when Shep took on the responsibility of being a dad as well as his true love for Merri.
Profile Image for Trina Jones.
2,698 reviews38 followers
March 7, 2025
OMG just go read this book it was a steamy hockey romance . It was a spicy page turner and the suspense was intense. I was on the edge of my seat and I couldn't even put it down. They couldn't fight the temptation any longer as they gave into their desire and passion. Love on the ice was magical and fun a bit of sexual attraction and the chemistry was sizzling.
I highly recommend this book and you won't be disappointed. I received advance copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving my honest review. Trina Jones
1,232 reviews9 followers
March 19, 2025
I loved Shep from Boh and Novy’s book so I was excited for this book! Shep had me completely melt with not just how quickly he stepped up to be a dad, but his talk to Hannah when he let her know how he’d always be there for her had me swooning! I didn’t think he could get much better than that…and then he went and put it all on the line to not only stand up for Merri, but to showcase how incredible she was at her job and integral she was to the team!
I loved Merri! I truly felt for what she’d been through with the loss of her mom and the betrayal in her last relationship. She and Shep were absolute fire and I couldn’t get enough of them. I did agree with her thoughts when Shep referred to her as a distraction.
I’m really curious as to what will happen in the next book with Hampus!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
75 reviews
March 18, 2025
Shep is a star hockey player, currently in a slump, and Merri is new to the team, stats professional and wanting to prover her value. Sparks of all kinds run when they met, they have a great chemistry and a clause that doesn't let them involve in any personal way. I loved how they found their way towards each other and the banter between them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews

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