Skate the Line

Blue Devils Hockey #2

by S.J. Sylvis

𝘼 𝙜𝙧𝙪𝙢𝙥𝙮/𝙨𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙚, 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙙/𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙮, 𝙝𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙮 𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙗𝙮 𝘼𝙢𝙖𝙯𝙤𝙣 𝙏𝙤𝙥 𝟱𝟬 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙐𝙎𝘼 𝙏𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧, 𝙎.𝙅. 𝙎𝙮𝙡𝙫𝙞𝙨.⁣
⁣
I’ve been making rational decisions my entire life.⁣
⁣
If someone is in need, I’m there. My Nana needs help with the bills? I’ll drop out of art school and secure a well-paying job. Someone needs the shirt off my back? They can have mine.⁣
⁣
When the league's most desirable bachelor and single dad needs a nanny that can look past his star power and won’t end up in his bed, I’m the perfect choice.⁣
⁣
Except, Rhodes Volkova isn’t the easiest to get along with. He’s grumpy, blunt, and cynical from past women and their inability to do their job and nothing else. It doesn’t matter that he has a serious soft spot for his daughter and is irresistibly good-looking.⁣
⁣
It doesn’t affect my ability to be the best nanny, and it surely won’t lure me into his bed like the rest.⁣
⁣
Rhodes is skeptical of me, fearful I’ll turn out like the rest with dollar signs in my eyes or just wanting a fling with someone rich and famous. But what he doesn’t know is that I’m distrusting too. I’m done with men and have issues of my own. He doesn’t have to worry about me crossing a line.⁣
⁣
𝘕𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘬𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩. ⁣

Genres: Sports Romance, Hockey, Sports, Romance, Hockey Romance, Forced Proximity, Slow Burn

588 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 6, 2025

About the author

S.J. Sylvis is an Amazon top 50 and USA Today bestselling author who is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies. She currently resides in North Carolina with her husband, two small kiddos, and dog. She is obsessed with coffee, becomes easily attached to fictional characters, and spends most of her evenings buried in a book.

For upcoming info on new releases, join her Facebook reading group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/21537...

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Reviews

[maria]

DNF @20%

I can’t do this right now🫠 I really tried to give it a chance and like it but oh god.

The mmc, Rhodes is supposed to be “grumpy” but he’s just a straight up asshole. Don’t have a strong opinion about the fmc, Sunny, she’s fine ig🤷🏻‍♀️ the five years old kid is too clever and talk like an adult for her age, which is something that I hate in books with kids.

The writing wasn’t for me, it’s vague and mediocre imo and the random Russian words are very cringe.


ᝰ🏒pre-read: ᯓᡣ𐭩୭˚.

This is getting released tomorrow and I actually forgot I got the arc🏃🏻‍♀️‍➡️🏃🏻‍♀️‍➡️ I normally hate single dad x nanny but I hope this one change my opinion on that trope still hating that trope😽

[S.J. Sylvis]

Available now!

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
Amazon: https://a.co/d/7kaxTQR

Listen today!
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[Kursed Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I applied for this one, I somehow missed that it’s a single dad romance. I’m glad I did!! This was a sweet, steamy read that I wouldn’t have otherwise taken a chance on.

Rhodes has been burned by every nanny he’s hired. When Sunny comes highly recommended, he has no reason to think she’ll be any different.

[Kayla | Kayla Reads Smut · Rating 5 out of 5]

SJ Sylvis must have heard me say I think the single dad x nanny trope is over done, specifically when it is a hockey romance. She said bet, hold my beer and hand delivered me Rhodes Volkova. I have NEVER eaten my words so quickly in my life. Rhodes Volkova is the PERFECT grumpy single dad of my dreams. Rhodes Volkova is top tier book boyfriend (or should I say single daddy 😉) material. This man has me gagged. Put a fork in me I’m cooked!

I honestly didn't think SJ Sylvis could top Emory Olson for me, but now she is going to have a very hard time delivering me a more top tier MMC. This man is literal perfection. He's broody, grumpy, only soft to his daughter Ellie, until Sunny enters the picture and when he talks to Sunny in Russian, my knees went weak. There is just something about an MMC who talks to the FMC in a different language that just does me in.

Now let's talk about the Volkova's new ray of sunshine, Sunny! I loved her. Sunny is Rhodes and Ellie's new nanny. And she is the only nanny that has never tried to sleep Rhodes and go figure she is the only nanny that Rhodes has ever wanted to sleep with 👀. But there is just one problem, our girl Sunny has a traumatic past that involves someone in her past which makes her untrusting and fearful of men. But don't worry, Rhodes plans to fix what another man broke.

This book has it all! This one is filled with top tier banter, angst and tension! And in true SJ Sylvis fashion, she makes you work for the spice but boy is it worth it. And when Rhodes finally admits he wants to taste the forbidden fruit, he's done for! I also want to mention the inner monologue that Rhodes had with himself had me so weak. ♾️ stars! PERFECTION!

You should most definitely read this book if you like:
- Hockey Romance
- Single Dad x Nanny
- Hate to Love
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Forced Proximity

* I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to SJ Sylvis for allowing me to read Skate the Line as an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions and review.

[all.the.smut.things · Rating 5 out of 5]

RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Ummmmm, how does SJ keep continually raising the bar with each and every Mmc she gives us. Rhodes Valkova. That's all. That's the review. 11/10 perfect book boyfriend. Absolutely no notes.

But seriously, Rhodes and Sunny were absolutely everything. It takes a lot to impress me with a single dad x nanny trope but this one was done flawlessly. And grumpy single dad.. yes please Rhodes is the grumpiest. But also the most tender.

And Sunny, sweet Sunny. She had such a rough past but was still a ray of light and the way she connected with Ellie just melted my heart. and talk about melting.... the tension and yearning had me a puddle on the floor.

For a slow burn, it didn't feel slow. There were all these little moments peppered in there to just keep me turning that page as fast as I could. And when they snapped.... Holy MOLY.

This book is going to be one of my top reads this year, There is absolutely no doubt about that.

[Maegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️ Adding Rhodes Volkova to the book boyfriend list 🔥 Thank you S.J. for this ARC I am obsessed with your writing style.

Rhodes and Ellie have the worst luck finding a nanny that doesn't have some ulterior motives. Until Sunny comes into the picture. She is the exact opposite of what they have dealt with in the past. Rhodes figures out pretty quickly that there is more to her and becomes protective over her past trauma.

One of my favorite parts is the subtle uses of russian through out the story. Ellie using it and teaching everyone the language was so special to the story.

Text flirting
Grumpy/sunshine
Past trauma
Locker room
Slow burn
Angst/banter

🌶🌶🌶

[Koisty · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Clay Pascal Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level:🌶️🌶️.5/5

After just finishing Play the Game, I had a better idea of what to expect going into this... But wow, this took grumpy sunshine to another level. I mean, the main character’s name is literally Sunny, and he nicknames her Sunshine, so the book fully leans into the cliché! AND I LOVED IT!

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
The book follows Rhodes, a man who is desperate for a nanny. Somehow, he is cursed because every single nanny he hires just wants to sleep with him rather than actually caring about his daughter, Ellie. So when Sunny starts, he is very clear about setting boundaries. He lays out strict rules... no emotional attachment, no seducing him, and nothing that could jeopardize the arrangement. This is perfectly fine for Sunny because she has just escaped a nightmare of a situation where her last nanny gig’s dad turned stalkerish and obsessive. After that trauma, the last thing she wants is to cross any lines again. She agrees to Rhodes’s rules, fully prepared to keep things professional and just focus on his little girl.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
Rhodes is not an easy man to crack. He only cares about two things, his daughter and hockey. Ellie always comes first, no matter what, and he refuses to compromise that. He is grateful that his team, the Chicago Blue Devils, understands that he will give his all on the ice, but the second his daughter needs him, he is gone. Ellie is his whole world, and it is obvious that he never expected to be a dad. She was born from a one-night stand, and her mother passed away shortly after, so suddenly, Rhodes had to learn how to be a father on his own, all while balancing his career. He has been fiercely protective of keeping his daughter out of the limelight and separated from the chaos of his hockey career.

Then there is Sunny, a girl trying to run from her past. She is desperate, and when the adorable little Ellie wriggles her way into her heart, she has to guard herself against catching feelings, especially catching feelings for Ellie's grumpy, brooding, emotionally closed-off father.

But honestly? My favourite part of this book wasn’t the romance between Sunny and Rhodes...it was the relationship between Sunny and Ellie. Ellie showed all the early signs of abandonment issues. She has never really had a consistent mother figure in her life, and every female she has formed an attachment to has left her. She is closed off, shy, and hesitant to trust people. Watching her slowly open up to Sunny was the absolute highlight of the book. Seeing her build trust for the first time, finally talking about her feelings, learning that love isn’t always temporary, and realizing she has someone in her corner was so heartwarming. It felt like we were watching her overcome something that could have left a lasting trauma, and it was just so beautifully done.

And then there was Sunny and Rhodes’s slow-burn romance, which was everything!!! They were so against forming an attachment to each other, but the more Rhodes saw how good Sunny was for his daughter, the more he started to fall for her too. He could see the difference she was making, and even though he tried so hard to resist, he couldn’t help but let her in.

I also loved the banter between them. The way she played off his grumpiness with her relentless optimism was golden. Watching her slowly chip away at his walls, getting him to realize he could care for someone beyond his daughter and hockey, was just so satisfying.

I felt like their romance spoke directly to every microtrope I love. They were constantly skating the line between professional and not, each testing the waters but always pulling back. It was slow and achingly tense, but so satisfying.

And can we talk about some of the best moments?
- He does her hair so he can practice braiding his daughter’s hair.
- The phone sex scene.
- The way he tends to her injuries
- Giving her food...

LIKE I AM A MELTED PUDDLE AT THIS MAN!

It was just everything. Every single scene ticked another box on my "things that make me squeal" list, and I was so happy while reading this. It was the ultimate feel-good story, and it gave me exactly what I needed.

The one issue and why this isn't a full 5 stars? I had the exact same problem with this that I did with Play the Game...but the climax and ending felt rushed. The build-up was fantastic, but when the conflict-hit, it was resolved too quickly and too cleanly. I wanted it to be explored more. It felt like we were building toward this big moment, but then it was over in one page.

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ NannyXSingle Dad
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Dual POV
▶ He Falls First
▶ Hockey Romance
▶ GrumpyXSunshine
▶ Slow Burn
▶ Touch Her You Die

𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ "Mine"
▷ Nicknames
▷ Cute Kids
▷ "Out of our systems"
▷ Hockey Jersey Heat
▷ Backwards Cap
▷ "Good Girl"
▷ He does her hair
▷ Tending to Injuries
▷ "Look at me"
▷ "Use Me"
▷ "Chin Lift"

Overall I enjoyed this book! It made me happy. It made me smile. It made me squeal. The dynamic between these three characters was just so wholesome, and they made each other better in every way.

Thank you to ValentinePR and S.J. Sylvis for the gifted copy.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Liz | Bookslizreads90 · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 Stars!

Tropes-
Single Daddy x nanny
Grumpy x sunshine
Past Trauma
Banter
Slow burn
He speaks Russian 🤭
The cutest little girl 👧

✨️Ok, I absolutely LOVED Play the Game. I didn't think it would be possible to beat, but SJ out did herself, and this was easily a 6 star read for me. I was so engrossed in the story from the beginning. Sunny even though she has had some past trauma, is her name personified. Rhodes is a grumpy gil, but who doesn't love a grumpy hockey player 😍. Ellie won my heart over so quickly. I loved the relationship she forms with Sunny. I loved the grumpy x sunshine aspect and how, in the end, he's only soft for Sunny and Ellie. Ugh, I just can't recommend this series enough. If you haven't read Play the Game, it's totally fine to read this as a standalone, but I recommend them both! 🤭🫶

Thank you to SJ and VPR for the ARC!

[Katie Beasley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. There is something about the nanny thing that just gets me every time. I wonder not if but WHEN things will go down and then how are the MCs going to act. Is it obviously going to be a one time thing? Or is going to be a nanny with benefits situation off the bat? This one had the added element of Rhodes (our MC) being done with all nannies. The last several that he has had have thrown themselves at him. So he has drawn a HARD line in the sand there. And then we have Sunny (our FMC) who has no interest in men or relationships, or anything complicated ESPECIALLY with the dad she is working for. This made it that much more juicy!! I loved watching these characters tip toe around each other. I do have to say Rhodes bordered the line sooo hard on being a little too much of a jerk but then we realized he was truly a softy on the inside. And then Sunny was like the most selfless person. Learning about what had happened to her was heartbreaking to say the least. Watching her develop her relationship not only with Rhodes but with Ellie was beautiful. She was committed. And literal sunshine. And everything that I would have wanted in a nanny- carefree, fun, but stern when she needed to be. Rhodes just needed the right woman in his life to make him see that he could open his heart.

Sunny has moved to the other side of the country literally. She can't be in Washington anymore. Too many bad memories. Too much pain there. But when her best friend recommends a new nanny position in Chicago- she finds herself pulled. When she meets her new family- she is shutdown at first. She wants to prove to Rhodes that she isn't like all the other nannies before her. She can be professional. She will make this all about Ellie- the girl needs someone consistent in her life besides her dad. And that is what she is going to be. She just feels like she keeps having to prove herself. She has to remind herself that Rhodes can go on dates. But he isn't flirting with her. It's in their contract. But OMG is he hot. And the more she is around him the more she realizes it is the little things with him. He is such a good dad. He makes her feel things she hasn't felt in a while. So they take the plunge one night- it's a one time thing. Nothing will change. But of course it does. Now all she can think about is him and when it will happen again. Will she initiate it or him? And so they play this dance together and it is HOT. She tries to convince herself no feelings are involved but she is really getting comfortable. But then her past comes back to haunt her and she does the one thing she promised she wouldn't do.

Rhodes has every wall possible up. No women. No nannies. Just Ellie. But he does have a job. A nanny is a necessity. But when he meets his possible new one there is no way he can say yes. She is beautiful. She will be like the rest of them. But desperate times call for desperate measures. And now Sunny is working for him. They are on the same page about no funny business. This is strictly professional. But then why does it do things to him when she is wearing one of his teammate's jerseys? Why can he not stop thinking about her legs or her smile? Or just her. He can't fight it any longer. He can help her through this issue she is having. That is it. No feelings. Yea right. But this is too good to turn down. Now he is excited to see when things will progress. He loves watching how different she is in his hands. Like putty. As things progress he finds himself being ok with other people knowing. Who cares what they think. As long as his girls are happy. But then he breaks his promise. She breaks his heart and after some digging he realizes why. He just hopes she knows that he isn't done with her. Not by a long shot.

This was HOT and glorious. Rhodes was the ultimate grump and surrounded himself with literal Sunshine. I loved the found family aspect and how much his teammates threw this whole thing in his face to mess with him. I loved watching Sunny and Ellie's relationship grow and watch that little girl learn that not everyone in her life is going to let her down (minus her dad). I loved Sunny. She was such a wonderful person, and I am so glad that her and Rhodes found each other. That locker room soon though!! I have enjoyed this series so far and am REALLY looking forward to Kane's (the team class clown) book.

Thank you to Valentine PR and SJ for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Star Rating: 5🌟
Spice Rating: 3 🥵🔥

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN CAN I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE!!! This is the FIRST EVER single dad x nanny romance I have ever rated five stars!!! A round of applause please….

Okay now that that has been stated let’s get into how much I absolutely adored this book, these characters, and this romance. Everything about this book was absolute perfection. It is a bit of a thicker romance book (coming in right below 500 pages) but I would change a single word in this story. I was done with the whole thing before I knew it, and I mourned finishing it as fast as I did 😪

I loved Sunny and Rhodes and their entire story. I thought not only was the whole book very well done, but the slow burn was phenomenal. Both Sunny and Rhodes have trust issues from previous experiences on both sides, so it takes a long time and a lot of little moments for that trust to build and for the tension to break. But MAN did I love every second of it. Every little moment with Rhodes I ate up like candy. I mean a Russian hockey player who accidentally calls her good girl IN Russian?? Sold. No question. Perfection.

[Abby (booksinthefreetime) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely in my tops reads of 2025!! Love a good nanny romance!!

[Danielle E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 ⭐️
Spice: 3 🌶️

-Hockey romance
-Single dad/nanny
-Grumpy X sunshine
-Forced proximity
-Hate to Love

Play The Game was one of my top reads last year so when I received the ARC for Skate The Line I couldn’t be more excited. I absolutely devoured this book and SJ crushed yet another hockey book. Easily obsessed with this one!

Sunny and Rhodes started off rocky. She was looking for a new job to get her out of Washington and he was in desperate need of a nanny. But one look at her and he knew she would be impossible to resist. This wasn’t the typical single dad/nanny romance. There was emotion and even a bit of mystery. Sunny refuses to go by her legal name, hates hospitals and she’s absolutely terrified of men and Rhodes needs to know why. Bonus points for Ellie being the cutest kid and Russian nicknames. 🤭

Thank you so much to the author and VPR for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

[dess · Rating 5 out of 5]

single dad x nanny romances are my kryptonite.

[Just Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This. Was. So. Good!!! From the slow burn to the banter to the spice 😮‍💨 to the Russian sprinkled throughout, to the suspense aspect of the story. It was all sooooo good. I adored Sunny’s relationship with Ellie (and Marco!). Rhodes was so distrustful to start and he had every right to be that way. He’s a dedicated father who only wants someone to care for Ellie and ends up dealing with inappropriate nannies. Along comes a reluctant Sunny and I just love how perfect she was for both Ellie and Rhodes.

This series is smoking hot and Rhodes and Sunny just upped the ante. I’m so ready for Kane!

[Paige (wingsandsmut) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

Absolutely stayed up late to read this in one sitting - I mean, how could I not!! I was so happy to get the next book with our Blue Devils and Rhodes did not disappoint. He’s literally such a grump, but the soft spot he has for his daughter had me swooning from the start. Also Ellie just made me laugh so many times, especially with her curses in Russian! And then the tension between Rhodes and Sunny had me waiting for it to snap and once it did, hot damn! Their banter is spot on and I love how they both push each other outside of their comfort zones in different ways. As Rhodes learns more about why Sunny ended up in Chicago, he only becomes more protective and I do LOVE a protective hockey player! I already cannot wait for the next book and know we will get another good story from Kane!

Audiobook:
Narrated in dual by Connor Crais and CJ Bloom - they both did a wonderful job at narrating this book! I loved getting to listen to Rhodes and Sunny’s story with this audiobook and didn't want to stop until it was over!! I loved this book when I first read it, and I love it more after listening!

🏒Hockey romance
🏒Single dad x Nanny
🏒Grumpy x Sunshine
🏒Hate-to-love
🏒Forced proximity
🏒Found Family
🏒Slow burn

Thank you so much to SJ Sylvis and her team for letting me read/review an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

[Macie ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You’re going to have to tell me no when I come begging.” His gaze lazily makes its way down my body, and butterflies fill my stomach. “Because trust me, Sunshine.” He pins me with a dark look. “I will come begging.”

This book was out of this fucking world. I was enticed, enthralled, and thoroughly addicted to it from the very first page. It took my breath away, left me with a permanent smile, and had me giggling like there was no tomorrow!

This book follows a single dad who is in desperate need of a reliable nanny for his 5 year old daughter in order to keep up with his busy hockey schedule.

Rhodes Volkova was the definition of grumpy single dad. He was guarded and protective of his daughter and their peace. And my god, was he soft for his girls and no one else. I was head over heels for this character.

Sunny Edwards absolutely lived up to her namesake, despite the things she had been through that had left her a bit scarred emotionally. I could literally feel her happiness and sunshine through the pages. The trauma she had been put through made me want to crack for her, yet she was still so resilient. It was truly a beautiful thing to watch her grow and heal throughout the course of this story. And the way she folded for Rhodes and loved Ellie with her whole heart—I was swooning!

“I know, Sunshine. He ruined that for you.”
His tongue slips out of his mouth and wets his lips. “Don’t worry, I’ll fix what he broke.”

This book felt like a pure dose of Novocain and I was reeled into every single word on the page. I could NOT get enough of it. It's been a while since I've had a book hook me to the point it's a literal struggle to put it down. I read this in less than 24 hours and this is one that will go into the memory bank to stay.

This was the first time I have ever read anything by SJ Sylvis and I know have a new favorite author to add to my never ending list of authors I love to read and buy books from! 🥰🫶🏻✨

A slow smile creeps on my face. “I think I’m going to keep you, Sunny Edwards.” Her quiet laugh is music to my ears. “Oh, yeah? For how long?” I grab her hand and interlace our fingers. “For forever.”

[Ruth♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

AHHHH
Padre soltero 🫦

Sunny trata de salir adelante después de un año tan malo, se cambia de cuidad y trata de empezar de nuevo, una vez alejada se le presenta la oportunidad de ser niñera para un jugador muy famoso al inicio no quiere pero necesita trabaja, una vez que se conocen tienen una gran química pero ninguno hará nada al respecto todo será de forma profesional, o eso creen ellos.

Un gran descubrimiento está autora, de verdad me gusta mucho su forma de escribir y como va desarrollando las relaciones, creo que lo dije en el primer libro pero la química se siente, también las historias que traen los personjes son muy buenas, toca temas un poco delicados pero que me gusta ver, aquí vemos cómo estos dos empiezan a abrirse el uno con el otro y a empezar a confiar que es algo que a ambos se les dificulta.

Si me gustaría más profundidad en algunas cosas, como dije en el libro anterior quedan algunas cosas al aire pero viendo que aquí pasa lo mismo imagino que así es ella, ni modo tocó soportar eso no quita que me gusten mucho.

[Anna Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anytime I see a hockey player x nanny romance I know I have to read it. This one was SO sweet and easily one of my favorites. It has good pacing, a good balance of spice and plot with some elements of danger/hidden past that added to the plot. this is the second book in an interconnect series and I’d recommend reading the first one before this but not totally necessary!

Read this if you’re in the mood for…
- nanny and single dad
- hidden past
- found family
- hockey romance
- very small third act breakup
- grumpy/sunshine
- soft only with her and his daughter
- slow burn

There’s something about a hockey romance where he’s only soft or vulnerable with her (and his daughter) that is so sweet. I loved the slow burn story for them and how they slowly opened up to each other and twisted each other before any spice/romance started. It was so well written and easy to forget all your responsibilities and just read lol

Here are a few of my favorite things…
- her teaching Rhodes to braid hair was too cute
- text message banter
- the teasing him since he was clearly a goner
- loved the pottery and crafting aspect of her relationship with Ellie

Overall it was so sweet! Highly recommend!

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: 🌶🌶
HEA: 🌟🌟🌟/3
❗️Safety and Small Spoilers Below❗️



📌 Triggers: Sexual Assult (off-page; mentioned) Abuse (off-page; mentioned)
Stalking (on-page) Car Accident (on-page) PTSD/Anxiety Attacks (on-page) Death of a Parent (off-page; mentioned)

📌 FMC was sexually assaulted by her former employer. And while there are no on-page details, the book deals with the aftermath and how it's affecting her emotionally.

📌 HEA: Living together, plans for marriage

📌 No Cheating/Sharing

📌 Slight OWD: MMC tries to hook up with OW to get over FMC but can't go through with it. (36%)

📌 Slight OMD: Due to FMCs past, she tries to face her fear of intimacy by hooking up with a stranger at a bar. She gets scared and can't go through with it. (49%)

📌 Extreme Slowburn: They don't admit their feelings for each other until about 90% of the way through.

📌 Third-Act Breakup: Around 95% and lasts a week or so.

[theswooncollector · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Full review + my favorite quotes on The Swoon Collection**

grumpy/sunshine + single dad/nanny + hockey combined, and I loved it

OVERALL RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Really Liked It

Look at this book that got me feeling giddy and smiling big when I finished reading. This is my first S. J. Sylvis read, but it’s definitely not going to be my last. I loved the characters, the plot, and the writing. I enjoyed it so much and have no complaints at all. In fact, I want more.

“You’re going to have to tell me no when I come begging.”
…
“Because trust me, Sunshine.” He pins me with a dark look. “I will come begging.”

WHAT I LOVED 💕

💜 The chemistry between Rhodes and Sunny was fire.
💜 Rhodes may be a grump, but he was never an a$$hole.
💜 Sunny may have been sunshine-y, but she’s got sass and spine.
💜 The flirting through their text messages got me giggling at times.
💜 Ellie (Rhodes’ daughter) wasn’t just a plot device.
💜 Loved the team and how solid they were.

DID I LAUGH? Yes. The banter between the two and Rhodes’ teammates’ antics made me smile and laugh a lot.

DID I CRY? Nope.


SWOON SCORE: 🦋🦋🦋🦋 Swoon-Worthy

I loved that Rhodes had a soft spot for Sunny. I also enjoyed seeing him protective and possessive of her. His moments of jealousy made me giggle.

“Softy?”
Warmth flows to my chest, and I’m marveled by it.
Rhodes lifts a shoulder. “I guess I am a softy when it comes to you.”

He also took care of her and comforted her during some crucial moments, and I loved that he went after her in the latter part of the book.

Fate has a way, though. Sunny belongs to me, and I would’ve found her one way or another.

SPICE LEVEL: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Hot and Explicit

Please be warned that this book is HOT, hot. From the flirting, the tension, and the escalation of their spicy moments, you won’t be left unsatisfied.

“If it were me, I would have pressed against the wall myself and let you lead. There wouldn’t have been any restraint to your hands because I would have wanted them to explore.”

Once Rhodes got a taste of Sunny, he got even more obsessed with her.

I know your body, and let me tell you, no one else will touch you like I do.

DO I RECOMMEND THIS? ✅ YES! I highly recommend to lovers of sports/hockey romance, grumpy x sunshine, and single dad x nanny tropes.
 
♥♥♥
 
GENRE: Contemporary, Sports
POV: Dual, 1st Person
TROPES: hockey, single dad x nanny, grumpy x sunshine, traumatized FMC
HFN OR HEA: HEA

**Got it free on Amazon US (6/13/2025)

LET'S CONNECT!

[Chiara^•^ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skate The Line by SJ Sylvis
4/5⭐
3/5🌶️

"I think I'm going to keep you Sunny Edwards."
"For how long?"
"Forever"

This story was such a delightful and heartwarming read! I adored the chemistry between Rhodes and Sunny; it was so palpable. The slow-burn romance was perfect because we see how their relationship blossomed throughout the book. Ellie added a great touch to the story, and her bond with Sunny was truly touching.

Rhodes is the captain of the Blue Devils hockey team and a devoted single dad. He's looking for a nanny for his daughter, Ellie, but the nannies seem more interested in him than in caring for Ellie. When he interviews Sunny, he initially assumes she’ll be just like the others who only want to sleep with him. One day, he has no choice but to hire her, and he soon discovers that Sunny is different. She is patient and genuinely cares for his daughter.

Sunny is trying to escape a traumatic past and start fresh in Chicago. Despite everything she's endured, she maintains a bright, sunny personality that lights up the room. She has a gift for connecting with people, making them laugh, and spreading joy with her warmth and compassion. Every moment shared between Ellie and Sunny made my heart swell. Watching Sunny nurture Ellie and seeing Ellie slowly open up was just beautiful!

Although Rhodes and Sunny try their best to ignore their feelings for each other, the attraction is undeniable. They both hesitate to cross that line, but eventually, they can't resist any longer. The tension between them is electric, and it’s heartwarming to see Rhodes soften thanks to Sunny's influence. I loved how protective he was of both Sunny and Ellie. There were so many sweet and swoon-worthy moments that I just loved! The epilogue was fantastic, and I can’t wait to dive into the next book!

"I'm always paying attention to you. I'm watching you even when you think I'm not, Sunshine."

[Dani | thebookishcajun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did someone ask for a grumpy, single daddy hockey player? It was me. I asked for it, and SJ delivered with such a wonderful single dad x nanny romance! Thank you so much to Valentine PR and SJ for the advance copy of this next installment in the Chicago Blue Devils series. 

I fell in love with Rhodes Volkova from the moment we met him in book 1, and I’m so glad I didn’t have to wait any longer for his story. Rhodes has been struggling to find a nanny for his adorable daughter, Ellie. Well, he’s had a hard time finding a nanny who cares more for his child’s well-being than flirting with him. 

Enter Sunny Edwards. 

Rhodes obviously has trust issues when it comes to nannies, as does his daughter, but Sunny arrives with her own hesitancies about the situation. But it doesn’t take long to realize that Sunny is the final puzzle piece, the perfect fit, that pulls everything together. She lives up to her name and becomes the ray of sunshine that both Rhodes and Ellie need in their lives. I just love how seamlessly their relationship develops as they gain each other’s trust. There’s so many sweet and steamy moments between them, and Rhodes becomes the dreamiest as his protective bubble around Ellie expands to include Sunny. 🫠 Definitely adding him to the list of top book boyfriends!

This may be a hockey romance, but it’s so much more. I adore SJ’s writing, and this may just be my favorite book of hers yet! 

𝚝 𝚛 𝚘 𝚙 𝚎 𝚜:
🏒 sports romance (hockey)
☀️ single dad x nanny
🏒 forced/close proximity
☀️ grumpy x sunshine
🏒 she wears his jersey

[alaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished my ARC for Skate the Line and SJ has rendered me speechless once more. When I was reading Play the Game, I thought about how sad I was going to be when I finished the book and I had that same feeling for Skate the Line. I have been a big fan of SJ since Weak SIDE and every book since then just keeps getting better and better

Rhodes and Sunny are a match made in heaven. He was a true grump, having only a soft spot to his daughter Ellie…that is until Sunny shows up to be the nanny. Their banter and chemistry were off the charts and his protectiveness over Sunny once he finds out why she left her home state is *chef’s kiss* because who DOESN’T love a protective, broody hockey player?!

I could not put this book down, to say I devoured it would be an understatement

Thank you to SJ and VPR for the ARC opportunity and I cannot wait for whats next!!

[eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc Review

She shoots and she scores!!! S.J. Sylvis never misses, haven’t you heard???

I’ve been DYING to have this book in my hands since I read the first one where Rhodes and his “nanny issue” was first introduced (yes I am a sucker for single parent x nanny books). I already knew I was going to love it but this exceeded my expectations. Sunny has joined the club of my favorite female protagonists, I love her terribly and she just deserves the whole entire world. And best father award of 2025???? Rhodes Volkova !!! ALSO ELLIE IS JUST A CUTIE PIE I want to squish her. I honestly wish we got to see more of them as an official couple or a longer epilogue but I loved it anyway. The writing just keeps getting better and better I can’t even put it into words. I’m so excited for the next book and hopefully we see some Sunnyrhodes crumbs 🤭🤭.

Thank you to SJ Sylvis for the arc provided, LOVE LOVE LOVE being part of the team 🩷🩷🩷

[Cristina]

3.5 ⭐ I really enjoyed this book.
The single dad x nanny trope is not like others I've read. Here, Rhodes is tired of nannies making advances towards him rather than looking after his daughter, and Sunny isn't looking for a relationship after running away from something traumatic that happened to her in her last job.
That's why their advances are so exciting. Their romance is slow, sweet and steamy.

Rhodes is the perfect single dad, so devoted to his daughter and so grumpy with her nanny.
Ellie is a charming girl who needs a mother figure, finding in Sunny what she was looking for.
I also really liked the plot about Sunny's past and the hockey team.

I'm not a fan of hockey books, but I really liked this one. I'll continue reading this series.
I recommend it.

[Kaity · Rating 5 out of 5]

rhodes and sunny are so perfect together <3

[Tiffany Trivette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me fucking Feral.

[Megan Coggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

God d*mn…
The single dad x nanny trope hit so hard here.
SJ Sylvis 🙌

Sunny x Rhodes
Complete sunshine x grumpy grouch
Nanny x pro hockey
Forced proximity

Ellie
Cutest little girl
The hair braiding…

The Russian words were 🫠🔥
Dear lord

The suspense aspect was suspensing.

This is probably my favorite SJ Sylvis book to date.

Arc review ✨

[thebrunettebibliomaniac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc Review

SJ never disappoints, and Skate the Line was no exception! The single dad trope was done so well—raw, real, and full of heart. Seeing the male main character navigate fatherhood, with all its struggles and sweet moments, completely melted me. And don’t even get me started on the relationship between his daughter and the female main character (who also happens to be her nanny). Their bond was so wholesome and genuine, it made the story even more special.

On top of all the heartwarming moments, Skate the line had me actually laughing out loud. The inner monologue of the characters? Some of the funniest I’ve read in a while! If you love a mix of humor, swoon-worthy romance, and a story with real emotional depth, this one’s a must-read.

[Calleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

rhodes + sunny
🌶️🌶️/5

Thank you SJ Sylvis and Valentine PR for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

standalone | 2nd book in Chicago Blue Devils series | pro hockey | single dad x nanny | grumpy x sunshine | she's close with her Nana | selfless fmc | he's the league's most desirable bachelor | nanny troubles | he speaks to her in Russian | she paints and sculpts | HEA 🌻🏒

This was such a swoony read. SJ nails the college hockey space for me and after reading book one in her new pro hockey series starring the Blue Devils I knew I had to read Rhodes' story. And let me TELL YOU. You're not ready for this man.

He's 32, holds the "most eligible bachelor in the league" title, hails from the mother Russia, currently resides in Chicago with his daughter, Ellie, and is broody and cynical af. He has a history of nannies not lasting longer than a few days because all they see in Rhodes is a meal ticket to the WAG box and millionaire lifestyle. And yeah, the man now has a complex. But WAIT.

Here comes Sunny - the sunshine-y, almost 26 year art enthusiast from Washington with a secret and no desire to date or get close to a man for that matter. Well, tough luck for Sunny because the universe has other plans for her and he speaks Russian, enjoys a good FaceTime sesh, and delivers plenty of swoon-worthy moments with his daughter.

The push/pull between Rhodes and Sunny will raise the angst level....
Rhode's POV chapters will make you wanna give him a hug.....
and Nana...well, you just can't help but love her.
Throw some good text banter and a ice rink hallway rendezvous in there and you have yourself a great pro hockey, single dad / nanny romance read.
ENJOY!