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Baggage
Apart never meant they were over.
Ty Firestone always knew he’d see her again. But he didn’t expect the kick boxing session, his heart started the minute she walked into his ice rink. After years of trying to understand why she left him when they had a plan, he surrendered to heartbreak and focused on his ice hockey career and the fractured family he’d do anything to protect. With a career shift in the works and his family secrets about to spark, the last thing Ty needs is to let Karis Hill back into his life. But she’s the only thing he wants.
Karis Hill never planned on seeing Ty again. But when she packs up her hard-won independence and heads home to help her withering family, Ty Firestone is taking care of more than he should. Immersed in the ins and outs of family life, regret starts to break apart the impossible choices she made to save herself and the ones she loved. No matter how good his hands still feel, forgiveness is out of the question. She won’t be responsible for holding him back from the one thing he’s always wanted.
No excuses. There’s always room for love.
Ty Firestone always knew he’d see her again. But he didn’t expect the kick boxing session, his heart started the minute she walked into his ice rink. After years of trying to understand why she left him when they had a plan, he surrendered to heartbreak and focused on his ice hockey career and the fractured family he’d do anything to protect. With a career shift in the works and his family secrets about to spark, the last thing Ty needs is to let Karis Hill back into his life. But she’s the only thing he wants.
Karis Hill never planned on seeing Ty again. But when she packs up her hard-won independence and heads home to help her withering family, Ty Firestone is taking care of more than he should. Immersed in the ins and outs of family life, regret starts to break apart the impossible choices she made to save herself and the ones she loved. No matter how good his hands still feel, forgiveness is out of the question. She won’t be responsible for holding him back from the one thing he’s always wanted.
No excuses. There’s always room for love.
292 pages, Paperback
Published March 26, 2024
3 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Mar Mills
2 books30 followersMar Mills is a proud Florida native, who spends her time lying by the pool,
basking in the sun while her sexy husband rubs her feet. KIDDING.
He hates feet.
A former teacher, Mar now absolutely loves wrestling with the characters
living in her head and bringing them to life for readers who enjoy a witty-
hot and salty romance. She penned most of her contemporary romance stories in the car parked outside of wherever she had to take her kids for
some kind of practice or rehearsal. Currently, when she’s not writing, which is rare, she’s planning her next adventure to see her children who
are now off making their dreams come true.
basking in the sun while her sexy husband rubs her feet. KIDDING.
He hates feet.
A former teacher, Mar now absolutely loves wrestling with the characters
living in her head and bringing them to life for readers who enjoy a witty-
hot and salty romance. She penned most of her contemporary romance stories in the car parked outside of wherever she had to take her kids for
some kind of practice or rehearsal. Currently, when she’s not writing, which is rare, she’s planning her next adventure to see her children who
are now off making their dreams come true.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 10, 2024
Karis walked away from Ty years ago, she never expected to see him again, it would be best for her. Now she is the last place she wanted to be, back home dealing with an ailing mother and a niece abandoned by her sister. Ty is back in town and coach to her niece's hockey team.
Ty has never gotten over Karis, his hearts stops when he sees her for the first time in years. He cannot go down the road with her, he will not survive it again. He has so much on his plate with raising his nephew and dealing with his drunk father.
This story has a rollercoaster of emotions, the pair still love each other but past choices get in the way. There is plenty of family drama, from a parent with Alzheimer's and secrets being revealed. Will these two find a way together or will they go their separate ways again?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ty has never gotten over Karis, his hearts stops when he sees her for the first time in years. He cannot go down the road with her, he will not survive it again. He has so much on his plate with raising his nephew and dealing with his drunk father.
This story has a rollercoaster of emotions, the pair still love each other but past choices get in the way. There is plenty of family drama, from a parent with Alzheimer's and secrets being revealed. Will these two find a way together or will they go their separate ways again?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 25, 2024
I enjoyed this book from start to finish. I loved the second chance aspect of it. The chemistry between the main characters was so good. The secondary characters were entertaining and had purpose. The over all story not just the romance aspect is well worth the read! It handled somewhat difficult yet realistic topics well and made you want to keep reading to find out what happens next. I can not wait to read the next book in the series and see where it takes them.
June 2, 2025
This second-chance romance is heartfelt, emotionally charged and blends the intensity of unresolved love with the raw complexities of family trauma. Set against the backdrop of ice hockey and small-town USA, this novel delivers a powerful story of reconnection, regret, and resilience.
The story follows Ty Firestone, a professional hockey player grappling with a fractured family and a career crossroads, and Karis Hill, the woman who once walked away from their shared dreams. When Karis returns home to care for her ailing mother and abandoned niece, she finds Ty coaching her niece’s hockey team—rekindling old flames and reopening old wounds.
What makes Baggage stand out is its emotional depth. it doesn’t shy away from heavy themes—addiction, abandonment, Alzheimer’s, and the weight of familial duty. Yet, she balances these with moments of levity, sizzling chemistry, and genuine tenderness between Ty and Karis. Their dynamic is electric, filled with longing, tension, and a slow-burning hope that love might still be possible.
The writing is witty and warm, with well-drawn characters and a strong sense of place. She excels at portraying the messiness of real life and the courage it takes to face the past. Readers who enjoy sports romance with substance, family drama, and second chances will find a lot to love here.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The story follows Ty Firestone, a professional hockey player grappling with a fractured family and a career crossroads, and Karis Hill, the woman who once walked away from their shared dreams. When Karis returns home to care for her ailing mother and abandoned niece, she finds Ty coaching her niece’s hockey team—rekindling old flames and reopening old wounds.
What makes Baggage stand out is its emotional depth. it doesn’t shy away from heavy themes—addiction, abandonment, Alzheimer’s, and the weight of familial duty. Yet, she balances these with moments of levity, sizzling chemistry, and genuine tenderness between Ty and Karis. Their dynamic is electric, filled with longing, tension, and a slow-burning hope that love might still be possible.
The writing is witty and warm, with well-drawn characters and a strong sense of place. She excels at portraying the messiness of real life and the courage it takes to face the past. Readers who enjoy sports romance with substance, family drama, and second chances will find a lot to love here.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 26, 2025
I liked the plot a lot, it felt fresh and super cute. Karis’ POV didn’t give me much to work with at first, and I was irritated with her being a therapist but not being able to confront her own feelings. On the other hand, being inside Ty’s head was super fun! I’m biased though, because I love an angsty MMC and he delivered. The family stuff was both heartbreaking and beautiful. I shed a few tears.
I found the way the chapters are structured to be confusing, you don’t know who’s thinking what until their name appears, it’s not always on the first sentence either, and it doesn’t seem consistent. It made me not like the writing style that much, although maybe that has a little to do with past tense third person narration, which it’s super popular but I don’t usually prefer it. I feel it’s harder to be well done, because the author tends to “tells more than show” with this kind of writing, which is the case for this book.
All in all, I would recommend it for the plot and characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I found the way the chapters are structured to be confusing, you don’t know who’s thinking what until their name appears, it’s not always on the first sentence either, and it doesn’t seem consistent. It made me not like the writing style that much, although maybe that has a little to do with past tense third person narration, which it’s super popular but I don’t usually prefer it. I feel it’s harder to be well done, because the author tends to “tells more than show” with this kind of writing, which is the case for this book.
All in all, I would recommend it for the plot and characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 11, 2024
MMC/FMC- Ty and Karis
POV- 3rd person
Genre- Contemporary Romance
Heat- 🌋🌋🌋🌋 they do the thing and name the parts.
Series? Y
Safety? Y. There is no cheating, but they are not celibate in the years they are apart.
Triggers- language, explicit erotic content, violence (including violence against children)
Tropes- Dysfunctional Family FTW, Second Chance , Single Parent
Thoughts- The erotic scenes were tasteful and hot, especially the scene in the shed. I liked how their problems weren’t magicked away suddenly because of true lurve. They rehashed and rehashed their former relationship. They rehashed and rehashed her issues. I don’t know exactly what changed, but they do have a HEA, by which I mean they are working on solving their life problems together. It was a bit repetitive, but overall a satisfying reading experience.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
POV- 3rd person
Genre- Contemporary Romance
Heat- 🌋🌋🌋🌋 they do the thing and name the parts.
Series? Y
Safety? Y. There is no cheating, but they are not celibate in the years they are apart.
Triggers- language, explicit erotic content, violence (including violence against children)
Tropes- Dysfunctional Family FTW, Second Chance , Single Parent
Thoughts- The erotic scenes were tasteful and hot, especially the scene in the shed. I liked how their problems weren’t magicked away suddenly because of true lurve. They rehashed and rehashed their former relationship. They rehashed and rehashed her issues. I don’t know exactly what changed, but they do have a HEA, by which I mean they are working on solving their life problems together. It was a bit repetitive, but overall a satisfying reading experience.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 12, 2025
This was 2 messy families coming together in an angst-filled second-chance romance.
Karis let Ty go years ago thinking she was doing the right thing. Now, back in town to help out with her mother and niece, they cross paths.
Both have significant burdens with very troubling family dynamics resulting in a hugely emotional story.
It didn’t take long for the ‘hate’ to change to something else, but it took all the way to end to have them on the same page.
The writing was fantastic - the characters were real, the situations were realistic, and the portrayals of how to deal with decisions made previously and decisions to make now showed just how much it can affect the future. This had a little bit of sport - hockey, but more of a common interest - but it was mostly a story of love, second-chances and finding your family.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Karis let Ty go years ago thinking she was doing the right thing. Now, back in town to help out with her mother and niece, they cross paths.
Both have significant burdens with very troubling family dynamics resulting in a hugely emotional story.
It didn’t take long for the ‘hate’ to change to something else, but it took all the way to end to have them on the same page.
The writing was fantastic - the characters were real, the situations were realistic, and the portrayals of how to deal with decisions made previously and decisions to make now showed just how much it can affect the future. This had a little bit of sport - hockey, but more of a common interest - but it was mostly a story of love, second-chances and finding your family.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 25, 2024
Okay, so let me start this by saying I am absolutely certain that I need book 2 by tomorrow!! I absolutely should not have added another book boyfriend to my never ending list but here I am falling in love with Ty and Karis and there deeply disturbing family issues. With the drug addicts,death, alcohol abuse and absent parents how could this book not play with all my emotions. I became invested in this book before I even turned the first page and I am not ashamed to admit that I decided to binge read because I needed to know at the very moment what was about to happen next. Also, I will say the spice was definetly there🌶️🌶️🌶️!! Also how does someone find one of these hockey players?? (Asking for a friend)😂 yall might as well go ahead and add the book to your TBR list because now I’m waiting until May to find out if Ryan is going to be my next obsession
April 10, 2024
If you love second-chance romance, you’ll enjoy this book. The push and pull between Ty and Karis expressed that often we love one person in our lives, even if we’re kept apart by outside forces or our own good intentions. But this book is about more than hockey and romance. It’s about family. Ms. Mills deftly weaves the love of family and family struggles throughout the story. The issues the Hill family faced are ones we’re familiar with today. A grandmother raising her granddaughter, and the gut punch when a daughter has to accept that she’s losing her mother to Alzheimer's. This is a book you’ll remember long after you turn the last page.
April 9, 2024
Ty Firestone & Karis Hill: Book 1 in the Firestone Brothers Hockey Romance Series. Heavy family baggage filled with drug and alcohol abuse, abandonment, secrets, regrets, and obligations. All that baggage take you on a journey back to a second chance. Ty & Karis’ spicy chemistry is abundant. The depth and development of the secondary characters has me eager to continue the series and see what’s in store for them.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 25, 2024
Well what an emotional journey Baggage takes you on. It’s full of a multitude of emotions, drama and everyday family life. Ty and Karis have a past and both have families that rely on them. Honestly they are perfect for each other and their chemistry is insane. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and all the characters that feature in this story. I received a complementary copy from the author.
March 27, 2024
Mar Mills spins a story with her fresh descriptions. I was immediately thrown into this hockey, second chance at love romance that gave me all the feels.
I had the opportunity to get an advanced readers copy and I couldn't put the book down. Her characters are real and leaped off the page.
Mar Mills is an author to watch out far and a new favorite of mine. It's a must read!
I had the opportunity to get an advanced readers copy and I couldn't put the book down. Her characters are real and leaped off the page.
Mar Mills is an author to watch out far and a new favorite of mine. It's a must read!
April 17, 2024
This is the first in a new series, and this is Ty and Karis’s story.
This is a well written emotional roller coaster, with family, friendships, drama, secrets, regrets, second chances, undeniable chemistry, revelations, and love. which leads to an entertaining and steamy captivating page turner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a well written emotional roller coaster, with family, friendships, drama, secrets, regrets, second chances, undeniable chemistry, revelations, and love. which leads to an entertaining and steamy captivating page turner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 9, 2024
Full of angst and relatable family topics, this debut novel is packed with conflict and romance. Ty and Karis have stepped up to the plate for their families, even if it means letting go of one another. How they handle teens, messed up parents and siblings, and employment obligations makes for a rollercoaster read that leaves you breathless for the HEA.
March 20, 2024
This book was intriguing from beginning to end.
A drunk father, drug addicted mother, sports, and love. What else can you ask for from your loved one.
A love story that ignites and distracts.
Definitely a must read!
A drunk father, drug addicted mother, sports, and love. What else can you ask for from your loved one.
A love story that ignites and distracts.
Definitely a must read!
February 4, 2025
DNF
It was not bad, not good. Kind of Seem like the autograf forgets That a convo has alreqdy found Place ones.
Book Had potential, But just Not for me.
Sorry for bad spelling
It was not bad, not good. Kind of Seem like the autograf forgets That a convo has alreqdy found Place ones.
Book Had potential, But just Not for me.
Sorry for bad spelling
September 8, 2025
Ty and Karis are thrown back into each other's worlds; both are stepping up and caring for their niece and nephew. I loved the family dynamics and struggles with raising teens and navigating their relationship. The push and pull between them is frustrating and satisfying all at the same time. A great slow burn second chance romance!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews