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New York Thunder #2

One Night Only

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A spicy, forbidden romance where she's older and he's OBSESSED.


​​Dallas Shaw is a "no strings" kind of guy. Voted NHL’s sexiest goalie two years in a row, he's the league's biggest playboy—a reputation he maintains with pride.


But when a pretty blonde crashes into his life like an adorable wrecking ball, what was supposed to be a one night stand turns Dallas’ whole world upside down. When he wakes up alone the morning after, he’s left with nothing but her sweet scent on his pillow and a serious case of longing he’s never felt before.


Now, a month later, fate brings Dallas’ dream girl back into his life. And he’s determined to win her over. The only problem? She’s his agent’s new executive assistant, and her employment contract definitely included a pesky non-fraternization clause.


Emily Cole, the beautiful woman with honey eyes and hidden scars, unknowingly has Dallas’ heart in the palm of her hand. He can’t stay away from her, no matter how hard she tries to push him or how many times she reminds him that she’s almost 10 years his senior. For the first time in his life, Dallas Shaw is down bad.


Now, all he has to do is convince Emily that he's worth the risk. That he's no longer the infamous playboy with a roster of women in every city he's ever played. And, most importantly, that he'll never hurt her the way she's been hurt before.


It was supposed to be just one night. One night only. But what if the one night stand is the one?




Trigger Warning:

One Night Only includes a female protagonist who is a breast cancer survivor. This book includes mention of cancer and cancer treatment, the physiological and psychological effects of cancer and cancer treatments, the mention of lasting effects of cancer treatments, and, most importantly, the journey to learning to love oneself after cancer. Reader discretion is advised.

398 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 17, 2025

152 people are currently reading
1299 people want to read

About the author

Shann McPherson

11 books185 followers
Shann McPherson has been writing contemporary romance fiction for as long as she can remember, and she has no plans on stopping any time soon. Her favourite authors are those who write stories that provide an escape from the harsh reality of today's world; Lucy Score, Tessa Bailey, Anna Todd, Colleen Hoover and the likes.

Living in sunny Queensland, Australia, when she isn't working her 9-5, or plotting her next story, Shann enjoys making memories with her husband and boisterous son, drinking wine and the occasional beer, and singing completely off-key to Taylor Swift.

Shann loves connecting with readers all over the world. You can find her on Instagram, Threads and TikTok.


"It's a truth universally acknowledged that inside every woman is an inner-psycho just waiting to be unleashed." - Alice 'Murph' Murphy, Where We Belong.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews
Profile Image for Liz | Bookslizreads90 .
430 reviews113 followers
April 5, 2025
ARC Review
Releases 4/17
♾️ Stars!

I really have no criticism what so ever about this book. It was perfect. Shann writes the BEST characters and stories. Dallas has been added to the tip top of my book boyfriends because who doesn't love a cowboy who is also a hockey player?? And Emmy, is a freaking warrior. She's been through the ringer, and I'm here for Dallas helping her build her confidence back up. I also adored the glimpses of Fran and Robbie (from book 1). This has become one of my favorite series, and I am CHOMPING AT THE BIT for the next book 🤭🤭. You find out at the end who is in the next book, and it's one of my favorite tropes! Ahhh. THIS IS A MUST READ! Thank me later ❤️❤️
Profile Image for Chiara^•^.
438 reviews118 followers
April 21, 2025
One Night Only by Shann McPherson
4,5/5⭐
3/5🌶️

This was my first book by this author, and it won't be my last! The story struck a chord with me because of its theme. Cancer has had a presence in my family; three of my aunts have faced it, we lost two, and one is still fighting. I understand the struggle, the fear, the uncertainty, and the heartbreak that comes with it. Because of this, I felt an instant connection to Emily. Before diving into the story, I was already rooting for her happiness. As I read on, I was continually in awe of her strength. And Dallas? I loved how he turned out to be the one for her. From the very beginning, their connection was strong, and their journey together was beautiful to witness.

Emily is such a strong, resilient, and independent woman! I admire her so much. She’s faced not only the challenges of cancer but also the betrayal of her fiancé. I was so happy to see how supportive her family was during her darkest times. After leaning on them, she’s ready to stand on her two feet again. She’s excited about landing her first job after a long break, but things get a bit complicated when Dallas enters her life.

Dallas is a professional hockey goalie with a playboy reputation. Emily and Dallas had a great night together, but she disappeared in the morning. A month later, they bump into each other again, only this time Emily is working as the assistant to his agent. Throw in a non-fraternization policy, and things get tricky! But Dallas is convinced that Emily is the one for him, and he’s determined to win her over.

I loved how understanding Dallas is! Even though he comes off as a cocky playboy, he openly shares his feelings with Emily and shows her time and again how serious he is about their relationship. He is a simp for her and proud of it. It was touching to see his vulnerable side and how deeply he cares for her. Emily, who’s been guarding her heart, slowly lets her walls come down as she gets to know the real Dallas. It was inspiring to watch her regain her confidence with Dallas’s support.

This book truly is amazing, and the characters' stories will stick with me for a long time. I loved how deep the characters were and how their struggles felt so real and relatable. The side characters were fantastic, too, and I can’t wait to read the next book!
Profile Image for samantha ఌ.
344 reviews449 followers
May 8, 2025
when your one night stand turns out to be your one true love

normally, i don't go for playboy mcs and this mc was definitely a playboy. but the moment the fmc entered his life, he was all abt her!! i have no words bc this was so freaking cute and swoony
Profile Image for Alexa26.
90 reviews20 followers
dnf
January 6, 2026
DNF at 4,9%

I started reading this book because some reviews made me think that he will be celibate after their ONS.
I thought I found another Carter 😭 One of my favorite reformed manwh*res (from the book Consider Me by Becka Mack).

But that's not the case. This hero sleeps with others after the heroine.
DNFing because, even if it's not realistic excpecting him to change his ways after a ONS, I don't want to read about it. He even had the heroine in mind during these ONS LOL.
I hate this trope !!!!!

I'm sad because I really liked the beginning 😔

Completely not safe for me !

No rating because DNF...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lynn_G.
1,124 reviews27 followers
April 17, 2025
Breast cancer survivor Emily has a passionate night she can’t remember with a tall hunk of a younger man and elite athlete. Weeks after stealing out of the tall Texan drink of water’s snazzy Brooklyn digs, Emily comes face to face with her bed partner when she realizes her new boss works as his agent.

Professional hockey goalie and prolific puck bunny pleaser Dallas hasn’t ever felt the slightest inkling to limit himself to just one woman until he meets Emily. He’s unconcerned with their age difference, or the fact that his agent employs her, he just wants to spend his off ice time getting to know every inch of her. Unfortunately Emily has been badly burned and isn’t ready to risk her heart again, especially for a nine years younger man who’s got a reputation for playing the field.

Dallas is delightfully unhinged about his relentless pursuit of Emily, and it’s a filthy, fun, and emotional journey to what may or may not be their HEA.

This is my first time reading a book by Shann McPherson, and I was pleasantly impressed. I was fortunate to have received an advance reader copy from The Author Agency, and I’m happy to share my honest review.
Profile Image for Brittany (happy.ending.always).
1,251 reviews48 followers
February 8, 2025
I will never ever be over this book!!! Shann gave us her entire heart and soul in this story!!! I cried happy tears, I cried sad tears and I screamed for joy over and over again!!! ♾️⭐️ ♾️⭐️

Dallas says everything right! His mouth is everything!!! Every time he spoke I swooned! I will never be over him and Emily. Their relationship is everything!!!

💖Age Gap (9 years, she is older)
🏒Hockey Romance (Goalie)
🥵Reformed Playboy
❤️‍🩹Broken FMC
💗He Falls First & Hard!!!

Emily goes through a lot in this book! Her highs are beautiful and her lows are awful but soooo raw and amazing! Shann really dove deep and gave us this absolutely beautiful female character in Emily!!! Her and Dallas are soooo perfect snd meant to be!!

The cherry on top of this beautiful sundae of this amazing book is their families!!! The humor that both Dallas and Emily’s family brought to this book was incredible!!!

This is an absolutely moving and beautiful book!!! I am soooooo in love with these two. This book will forever be a favorite!!! I love them. Shann’s writing is absolutely incredible and sooooo funny! She is my favorite romcom writer!!! This is an absolute must read!!! Mark your calendars, it comes out April 17!!! ♾️⭐️ ♾️⭐️ ♾️⭐️
Profile Image for Allie Rae.
20 reviews8 followers
April 17, 2025
ARC REVIEW ✨

let me start by saying I have officially found a new favorite author. I read “Famous Last Words” as an ARC, & LOVED it, so I was extremely excited for “One Night Only”! I read it in 3 days 🤭

I don’t think I’ve ever read any books with sensitive medical related topics, but it honestly makes the stories & characters more realistic & relatable!! hate that our girls have to go through it, but their strength is admirable!!!

I knew Emily would be one of those FMCs that I would love & adore. she is such a strong person, but she has the cutest/wittiest sense of humor to her as well. I enjoyed getting to know her!! the depth & emotion of her story was really there & made me feel for her.

Dallas & his view of women really didn’t throw me off, I KNEW it would give the perfect character development, & that it did! from that phone call moment at the bar in the beginning, I knew he was one of the good ones. we loveeee a reformed playboy moment!!!

I am typically a dark romance reader, with the occasional hockey romance. the fact that I found an author as AMAZING as Shann? I’m ECSTATIC! if you’re here reading reviews & asking yourself if this book is worth reading, the answer is 100% yes!

thank you to the author for writing yet another beautiful, emotional masterpiece. I loved every minute of it!
Profile Image for My Reading Era.
561 reviews31 followers
April 17, 2025
Dallas and Emily’s story is so sweet, and I absolutely adore them. What was supposed to be just a one night stand quickly turns into something much more complicated when Emily ends up working for Dallas’s agent, making any kind of relationship strictly off limits. But Dallas isn’t about to let that stop him. He’s determined to win Emily over, even as she hesitates, afraid of jeopardizing her job and weighed down by both the emotional and physical scars of her past. Their chemistry is undeniable, and they are truly perfect for each other. I love how Dallas embraces every part of Emily, helping her learn to love herself, scars and all. He’s her biggest supporter, standing firmly by her side no matter what. If you’re looking for a sweet, heartwarming romance, this is definitely one to add to your TBR! Just be sure to check the trigger warnings, as the FMC is a breast cancer survivor and her journey is discussed throughout the story.


Thank you, Shann McPherson and The Author Agency for the ARC.
Profile Image for Nadja.
446 reviews132 followers
April 17, 2025
3.75⭐️
2🌶️

This book was absolutely moving and beautiful!!! I just want to wrap Emily up in a big cozy hug and make her my best friend forever. I adored her—she’s so strong, witty, and relatable. Her dry humor had me laughing, and the strength she showed after everything she’s been through was so inspiring. Watching her go from a broken version of herself to a confident woman who embraces her scars was everything. Her journey post-cancer, dealing with remission and finding her spark again, was written with so much heart and care. It was truly beautiful.

Now... let’s talk about Dallas. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t his biggest fan at first. When we first get into his head, it’s very clear he only saw women as objects—basically just there for sex. He didn’t literally call them “warm holes,” but the vibe was there, and it gave me the major ick. I love a good reformed playboy like anyone else, but his attitude toward women in the beginning felt really shallow. And then he tells Emily that she’s the first woman to see him as more than just a piece of ass, and I’m like… okay, but aren’t you doing that exact thing to every other woman? 🙃

That said, I will give credit where it’s due—he really did change. The way he treated Emily later on was so tender and respectful. He made her feel safe, loved, and seen. He never pushed her, never made her feel less than. He gave her the space to open up, to trust, and to rebuild herself. I loved seeing him fall head over heels for her and become her biggest hype man. He really became the soft, golden retriever kind of partner who just adores her, and it melted my heart.

The emotional depth of Emily’s story—especially her experiences after surviving breast cancer—was gut-wrenching and honest. And oh my god, her ex?? Still can’t believe that mess.

If I had one complaint, it’s that the book felt a little too long. There wasn’t much conflict, so the pacing got a bit slow at times—it leaned heavily into the fluff. But hey, sometimes a soft, healing love story is exactly what you need. And let’s be real—the spice? Oh, it was SPICING. We love a dirty-talking golden retriever boyfriend. Woof woof. 🐾🔥
Profile Image for nat ⋆˙⟡.
270 reviews55 followers
July 4, 2025
did I just find my favorite reverse age gap book? I think I did. I normally don't gravitate towards this trope but thank god I did bc this was honestly such a sweet read.

to the woman who feel like they’re too much. to the woman who have to start over. to the women who are scared to love and trust again. you are enough and there is someone out there who will accept you and love you, scars and all.

i don’t think you understand how many times my eyes welled up reading this book. all i wanted to do was go in the book and give emily a hug. she deserves the ENTIRE world and im so happy that dallas gave her that.

Dallas gave me such loyal golden retriever vibes and the way that this man loves Em and the persistence and determination at first I loveeeed it. him calling her "Goldie" I died. he is a southern boy through and through and moving to the city to play hockey did not change that for him.

Emily I just wanted to dive in the book and give her a huge hug. she is struggling with herself from finally being able to work after being out of work for three years, recovering from some health issues, and moving on after being with her ex-fiance for years.

I loved seeing how Emily allowed herself to open up to love and to Dallas especially with her past and with what she has been through. they really are kismet and the way that Dallas supports her and is patient with her despite her having her walls up really shows his emotions towards her.

this was my first book from this author and I am completely obsessed. Thank you so much to The Author Agency and Shann McPherson for the e-ARC!

Tropes:
- Reverse Age Gap
- Golden Retriever
- Sports Romance
- Broken Girl
- Forbidden
- Reformed Playboy

4.75 ☆
Profile Image for Briana.
138 reviews6 followers
September 20, 2025
♾️ ⭐️
3 🌶️


Phew… I haven’t read many reverse age gap romances, but this one really hit the spot 👌🏻

I absolutely loved seeing Dallas go from a notorious playboy to a man completely consumed by Emily. Despite being older, Emily hadn’t experienced much in the bedroom, and I adored how Dallas not only taught her pleasure but also helped her love herself again after surviving cancer. Emily was such a strong, beautifully written FMC, and Dallas’s obsession with her was in the best possible way.

Another huge plus for me—no third act breakup! 🙌🏻 It felt refreshing to watch their relationship grow without unnecessary drama.

If I had one tiny complaint… that opening one-night stand scene faded to black, and you know I love my steam, so I was a little disappointed there.

Still, this book was perfection, and I’m so excited to read about Dallas’s sister and Logan next!
Profile Image for Anja.
360 reviews67 followers
April 17, 2025
4.75⭐️|3🌶️

This was my first read by Shann & I loved it! A cowboy/hockey goalie who’s completely obsessed with his girl? Say less👏

Dallas and Emily meet at a bar after Emily’s date goes south, and sparks fly instantly. One thing leads to another and Emily wakes up in Dallas’s bed the next morning. What Emily doesn’t expect is that her new boss is also Dallas’s manager.

Emily is an absolute gem! She’s strong, grounded, and a breast cancer survivor. She’s extremely focused on her career & with there being a strict no fraternization policy at work, she tries to avoid Dallas completely. But Dallas is not giving up that easily. This man goes from a complete playboy to pining over a girl who changed everything for him after only one night.

What truly made me swoon was how Dallas saw all of Emily. Her flaws, fears, scars & made her feel like the most beautiful person in the room, inside and out. I was a complete puddle. And the spice? It was hot as hell!!! Their chemistry was off the charts.

I cannot wait to go back and read book one in this series and I’m so excited for what else is to come in the rest of the series.

Thank you so much TAA & Shann for this ARC 🤍
Profile Image for Draia.
273 reviews2 followers
September 22, 2025
♾️ ⭐️

Please, PLEASE do yourself a favor and read this — you're gonna want to keep some tissues handy but boy is it worth it.
One word of caution- if you're an empathetic reader like myself, DO NOT read this on a plane unless you want your fellow passengers and flight attendants to question your emotional stability.

I’ve loved Dallas since his very first moment on page in book one — he’s always been such an enigma. A New York hockey-playing Texas cowboy with a southern drawl? The combination already had me hooked. But nothing prepared me for how much I’d love his story to finding love with Emily.

Speaking of our FMC, she could not have been more different — ten years older, straight-edged, and someone who’s been through absolute hell in her personal and love life. She had no clue who Dallas was when they had a one-night stand, so imagine her shock when she not only found out he was one of the biggest players in the NHL (on and off the ice) but that her new boss was also Dallas’s agent.

From the start, Dallas’s vulnerability hit me right in the feels. He admitted Emily had reduced him to a bumbling idiot, that he couldn’t stop thinking about her because she treated him like an actual person instead of just another notch on his bedpost. When he told her she was the first woman he’d ever held as he drifted off to sleep — and that he wanted nothing more than to hold her again — I melted. This was so far from cocky playboy Dallas we’d seen before, and it caught me completely off guard in the best way.

Dallas’s texts, when he was trying to get Emily's attention had me laughing out loud. She never responded so what did Dallas do? Kept talking...about his cow named Donut how he started an earwax rumor about his sister, the fact that he was a little scared of Fran...I'd expect nothing but persistence from Dallas and he didn't disappoint.

But it’s Emily’s story that made this book unforgettable. When she went home with Dallas and panicked at the thought of him seeing her naked, he immediately made her feel safe — giving her his jersey, wiping off her makeup, and building a blanket nest by the fire. When she opened up about her breast cancer diagnosis at thirty-two, I absolutely broke. The way she described losing everything — her hair, her breasts, her job, her fiancé — and then living with the constant fear of recurrence… I sobbed. The writing was delicate, raw, and so powerful that it opened my eyes to struggles survivors endure that I had never even thought about. It was so real and raw, even now as I type this review I'm fighting back tears.

Emily was never alone on her journey. Her sister and her sister’s partner were unwaveringly supportive — helping her heal physically after treatment and emotionally as she navigated love with Dallas. Their care and encouragement reminded me of the importance of family, and it made her eventual happiness and connection with Dallas feel even more deserved.

Dallas’s immediate reaction to Emily's opening up to him was absolutely everything and more. His protectiveness, his quiet promise that they weren’t done, his rage and heartbreak over the cruelty she endured from her ex-fiancé — it made me fall for him a hundred times over. He didn’t push; he waited. He treated Emily like a queen, inside and out, until she believed she was worthy of love again.

I also loved the little moments that lightened the heaviness of their story. The laugh-out-loud family dinner ambush was a standout — when Emily thought she’d finally get Dallas alone, only to walk into her parents, sister and sister's partner waiting at home. The way I was giggling but also cringing with secondhand embarrassment...

I don’t usually gravitate toward reverse age-gap romances, but this book was honestly a masterpiece. Their story was heartfelt, funny, deeply emotional, and best of all — no third act breakup! The only thing I wished for was an epilogue with them as parents. Emily had frozen her eggs before treatment, and it felt like such a natural, beautiful next step that I was aching to see on the page.

This book blew me away. Dallas and Emily’s love story was tender, passionate, and unforgettable. And Emily’s cancer journey was written with such delicacy and respect that it both broke and healed me as a reader. A true standout in the series, and one I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
Profile Image for Vic (novelsandnoodles).
233 reviews2 followers
April 4, 2025
Holy Moly. This book!!! Dallas Shaw, nickname ‘Tex’, 6ft 4 and Goalie for the NY Thunders… and wears a Stetson.. Ok. Im in love with him, there I said it🤭 He’s a renowned playboy, with a roster of women in each city but meets Emily and they spend an incredible night together.. from that moment he is hooked and can’t stop thinking about her.

Emily, she’s a breast cancer survivor, 9 years his senior and is mortified after their one night together and wants to forget it ever happened.. but 4 weeks later their paths cross again.

And let’s just say Dallas goes in HARD to win her over and take her out on a date…

Emily has had a tough few years, and doesn’t realise how beautiful she is inside and out, she’s so strong without realising it but she is worried about their age gap and the fact she’s been hurt before, she’s got deep emotional scars, as well as real ones that she’s afraid to let anyone see.

However, Dallas goes above and beyond to help her grow confidence, to show her she’s worth it and she slowly lets her walls down and explains about her past to him.

Dallas comes across as confident to most, but he’s actually really vulnerable as they get to know each other, he’s anxious she doesn’t feel the same way and his playboy imagine was more of a front for the loneliness he felt from being far from his family. He’s so hopeful that Emily feels their connection as much as he does and he’s so patient and persistent with her. You can just feel this deep chemistry between them so early on.. it’s chefs. Kiss 😘 Dallas always knows what to say,
How to calm Emily, he’s this loveable beast of a man wrapped up his southern charm… and he calls her Goldie- I mean 😮‍💨😮‍💨

Despite this book having some
absolutely heart wrenching moments, their was also so much quick whit and humour, with ridiculous txt msg banter, great one liners from Dallas ana a whole found family we get in regards to the other hockey guys- Robbie, Happy and Logan. And then the ending.. the ending! I blubbered my way through that and then some!

I absolutely inhaled this book, I really didn’t want it to end! And now I’m going to have to circle back and read book 1 too and patiently wait for book 3, Logan and Millie’s story😆

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

Arc
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kimberley.
403 reviews10 followers
April 12, 2025
This book had my whole heart and soul captured while reading it. The book touches such a hard subject for women all over the world but so accurately represented, and the author did amazing with that.

Dallas is your typical playboy hot shot ice hockey goalie who refuses to settle down until he meets that one girl. And that happens at the start of our book when Emily is due to be on a date but doesn't show up until 30 minutes after he was due to and was one of the worst dates, so Dallas rescues her from it at the end of the night and the pair fall into bed together.

Dallas is not a quiter in anyway and certainly not when he finds out Emily is the personal assistant to his agent and being in a relationship of anyway with him could get her fired after everything she has been through. After trying to stop Dallas from pursuing her, Emily eventually gives in and lets herself be loved after so much heartbreak in her life.

There are so many aspects of this book and Dallas and Emily that I loved, I mean the fact that Emily is 9 years older than Dallas and he loves her even more because of it and everything that she shared about her life before him was amazing. The side characters as well in this book made it all so much more enjoyable how everything interlinked.

One Night Only is the first book I have read of Shann's, and as it was such an amazing book, I can't wait to discover more of their books!
Profile Image for Chiara.
548 reviews25 followers
April 14, 2025
This book was quite perfect. Not only were the characters perfect for each other, but this book had a soul of its own.

We know Dallas from book 1, the ladies’ man, the guy who has a long list of hook ups, the guy who is sunshine personified. During one of his many nights out he runs into Emily, while she was waiting for her date to show up. Even though the date finally arrived, she left the bar with Dallas. Little did she know that this one-night stand turned out to be one of the athletes under her new boss’ protection.

I had no idea Dallas was going to be this kind of everything. The way he is with Emily, and his family. Usually, the ladies’ man is always reluctant to fall for the one and tries his best to avoid it. But Dallas dives into this new dynamic. He’s relentless to have Emily, even though she want nothing to do with him, for work and personal reasons.

Emily is a warrior, so resilient even though she took one too many hits in her life. I love how Dallas was there for her, to make her feel better about herself and to give her room to process this new relationship.

Thank you Shann McPherson and The Author Agency for the opportunity to read this ARC, All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Sharon A..
105 reviews11 followers
April 18, 2025
One Night Only by Shann McPherson

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Quote: “Life is too short to not jump in head first.”

Oh how I love a reformed playboy storyline. Dallas the goalie for the NY Thunder meets Emily ten years older than him and full of damage and baggage but it’s only a one night stand after all Dallas doesn’t do relationships. But the morning after she is gone and he’s bothered by it. As fate would have it they unexpectedly cross paths as Emily was just hired by his Sport Agent, as his assistant. Emily is shocked when she learns who he is and although she has strong feelings for him she is no where near ready to get involved with him because he’s a playboy, because he’s younger but mostly because there is a clause in her contract she cannot fraternize with a client. Dallas will not give up as he is relentless in his pursuit and as her heart starts to open a little she is scared for her job and whether she can truly let him fully in scars physically and mentally and all. Dallas is determined to not give up but when Emily’s boss finds out about their relationship will she lose her job or Dallas?
Profile Image for Natasha Rain.
82 reviews1 follower
April 20, 2025
ARC Review
5 ⭐️ Stars
*Read the TW before reading this*

Emily Cole is a mixture of sassy, smart, and attractive. She’s managing the complex feelings the best she can while being in remission, she has a difficult time letting others in, but little by little, she finds that letting others in and having a big support system is good.

Emily had me hooked from the opening line, she is such a mood. I adore Emily and I feel like I know her and understand her. She was definitely a character I could have read even more about.

Dallas Shaw is a Texas boy who is a known playboy yet still has a heart of gold. I rolled up my sleeves when I found out this man was in 'berta for a while. I locked in. Alberta and Texas have some similarities and honestly, but somehow he read more ‘berta boy than Texas to me. I do have to clock him a little for drinking American beer and liking Morgan Wallen.

I grew up with one person who is similar to Dallas. He was sweet, kind, drop dead stunning, good at sports, and went after anyone who was disrespectful. This is who I'm picturing.

Shann had me giggling, crying, and relating to these two, so thank you.

I am floored by people who are upset because they want authors to write perfect people. Humans are messy and complex, stop putting people on a pedestal. As long as people take accountability for their messiness, then let people be messy and complex.

I love how Shann understands that buttons are better than those silly snap button shirts.

Other than having to hear about Dallas loving Morgan Wallen, I have no notes.

I have never been the type of person who felt they needed a father or a full family but the way Emily's family protects her is beautiful and I want that. I bawled when Frank took Dallas aside, not because of the threat made but because he made sure Dallas knew he'd stand on his words and that he'd protect Emily at all costs.

This didn’t wreck me the way I thought it would, instead it was warm and comforting, like a much needed hug on a rough day.
Profile Image for Emily Burns.
293 reviews4 followers
April 11, 2025
I am so thankful and happy to be chosen as an ARC reader !! I’ve been waiting months for this to come out!

The start of this book already has me laughing 😆 Emily decided to go out on a date and ends up bumping into Dallas before her date shows up, 30 mins late I might add.

Shann writing is just so good! I get so engrossed In the book I don’t even know the time!

I’ve been laughing the whole book. The writing flows so well. Emily is such a sweet soul and I love how rough around the edges Dallas is but really he’s a big teddy !

Omg. Here story 😭 and Dallas just sitting and listening to her. Ugh. What a sweet sweet moment. And the way his inner monologue talks about her. How he’s ruined for anyone other women 😮‍💨 we all need a Dallas!

The Christmas morning wake up was pretty nice 😉

I enjoyed this book so much and also loved that Fran and Robbie were also included in this !
Profile Image for Chelsey.
260 reviews148 followers
April 21, 2025
Dallas and Emily hold a special place in my heart 🥹♥️

Dallas might be my favourite down bad goalie, a playboy with a reputation until he meets the right girl? Yes please, this man is downright filthy but my god did his soft spot and love for Emily melt my heart. He puts in the work to get a real shot with her and with that these two had some of the best on page chemistry that I never wanted to end.

Emily is a survivor and her story throughout this book made me so emotional at times. Her character is complex with her history and Shann wrote he with so much care. She also made her humour top tier and the fact all of this is with reserve age gap? call it perfection.

This was my first book by Shann and I can guarantee I will be back for every book to come!
Profile Image for Karen B.
1,499 reviews24 followers
April 17, 2025
This story swept me away—he’s obsessed, she’s older, their romance is forbidden. The plot was well paced and so fun, enjoyable and easy to read. The main characters were so dang real with so much chemistry and emotion (Dallas is a hockey player and a known playboy, Emily is a cancer survivor getting back into the workforce). The romance was steamy and spicy. What Dallas does for her to increase Emily’s confidence…you guys, it was so special. What should have been one night only turned into a sweet romantic journey with a whole lot of growth from both parties. Big fan of this series! 4.5 stars
Thanks to the author and The Author Agency for the eARC.
Profile Image for Maria (semi hiatus).
547 reviews116 followers
not-in-a-million-years
January 6, 2026
Note to self: I need a shower of bleach, only after reading the reviews. Hero slept with more than 500 women 🤢🤮😷☠️ AND not celibate after smexing the heroine. Why does that doesn’t surprise me? 🙄 How is this guy appealing, how?? I wouldn’t touch him with a ten foot pole, afraid I would catch a STI. I mean 500 (!!) come one ❌❌❌ Is swooning over this kind of hero the norm nowadays?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Paige Skye.
93 reviews
April 17, 2025
“And if I have to choose, then I need you to know that I choose her. I will always choose her. Every. Single. Time. Hell, one day I’m going to ask that girl to marry me”

DALLAS MOTHER FUCKING SHAW🥵

The way I have been fizzing with anticipation about this book and SHANN DID NOT DISSAPOINT🥹. Dallas was everything I knew he was going to be and more. Six foot four, nicknamed “Tex”, cowboy hat wearing NHL ice hockey goalie??? ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS “spectacular, gimme 14 of em right now”

I absolutely loved the breast cancer awareness side to this story it was incredibly sweet but also so real. Even though Emily goes through and has gone through so much she is still so strong and I really admire that from this FMC.

Shann has done such an amazing job with this story and really did our boy Dallas so well. Thank you so much to Shann McPherson and The Author Agency for the opportunity to ARC read this book in return for an honest review 🥰
Profile Image for Cat.
366 reviews8 followers
May 28, 2025
don’t sleep on this book

Started this today and finished because I was hooked from chapter one and could not stop reading and out Dallas and Emily they were amazing
Profile Image for Sarah.
93 reviews6 followers
May 3, 2025
// 🩷 One Night Only 🩷 by Shann McPherson

This book is a love letter to victims of breast cancer, to the survivors and the ones that lost their battle.
This is a story about learning to love yourself again, to believing that you are enough and to finding the person that will love every inch of you even when you don't.
When we meet Emily she is struggling with these things. After her body has been ravaged by the disease and the treatment she no longer feels like the woman she was before. She feels like a shell of herself.

Luckily for her she runs into Dallas Shaw. All it took was one night for him to fall and fall hard. Dallas is the former playboy of hockey and he is loyal, kind, caring, and persistent. He is so patient with Emily and 100% happy to show her how perfect she is. He knows, just like we do, that she is the strongest woman he has ever met. He is completely enamored with her and it is so beautiful to watch the way he loves her. He tells her over and over again that he is not going anywhere, and every time he said it my eyes teared up.

Even though Emily is strong and resilient she feels broken. As the story goes on we see her come into herself again. We get to watch her learn to love not only herself but Dallas as well. She loves him just as deeply and unconditionally as he loves her, and helps him become the amazing man he is meant to be. They complement and complete each other. They find what they were always missing in one another.

Emily and Dallas' story is heart-warming, emotional, funny, spicy, sexy and sweet! Through their story I have fallen in love with Shann's writing. I could tell that she poured everything into this book and I cannot wait for the next one!

🩷 Reverse Age Gap
🏒 Golden Retriever
🩷 Broken Girl
🏒 Reformed Playboy
🩷 Forbidden Romance
🏒 Hockey Romance


Available now in paperback and on Kindle Unlimited!
Profile Image for Kahra Levy.
61 reviews2 followers
April 20, 2025
ARC REVIEW
He Falls First by @shannmcphersonn_author

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

💭 Thoughts:
This book was absolutely incredible and hit me right in the feels. This book has me laughing, crying, swooning and smiling throughout.

I am a huge sucker for a hockey romance! I loved the chemistry between Dallas and Emily. Their connection was absolute perfection. I loved the aspect of the forbidden relationship. It brings a little something extra to a relationship that is already so hot 🔥 I loved the text messages that Dallas first sent to Emily. They were cute, made me laugh and I loved how persistent he was. He was confident and went for exactly what he wanted.

Shann McPherson is an absolutely incredible author. Everyone needs to add this book to their TBR!

🥅 Forbidden Romance
🥅 Reverse Age Gap
🥅 Former Playboy
🥅 One Night Stand
🥅 He Falls First

#spicybooks #spicybooks #spice #onenightstand #hockeyromance #onenightonly #shannmcpherson #forbiddenromance #reverseagegap
Profile Image for Jetscarbie.
683 reviews16 followers
October 9, 2025
2.5 (Possible spoilers ahead) I didn’t dislike this book, but my personal preference is not to read books involving cancer. I didn’t realize this was a plotline when I started. I realize cancer, specifically, breast cancer is a reality in so many people’s life. I just really don’t like to read about it in my romance books. 🤷‍♀️

Otherwise, the book was decent. Because h had breast cancer along with chemo, then breast surgery (removing her n*pples) a lot of the storyline revolves around H trying to build up her confidence.

So..H is a major manwhore. He’s been with over 500 women, he loves women, but he’s honest, and never leads them on. 🙄
He has a ONS with h. She leaves before he wakes up. They don’t know each other. 1 month later, H runs into h. She now works as a PA to his agent. Now, from his POV, we know he has hooked up with a few women during this month BUT he was always thinking of h. 🤪🤪🤪 suuuuure

A couple of H’s POVs

“I’ve had my fair share of hook ups. I’ve even had a few since that very night.”

“Monogamy is a crazy concept to me”

From the second H and h are reunited, it’s InstaLove for H.
h knows she can’t be in a relationship with clients. It’s a hard rule and a couple people have been fired before because of it. This is one of the main plot lines in this book and it’s basically……..a non issue. I say that because absolutely nothing happens to her (even though others were fired)

Anyway. MCs start shagging pretty quickly after being reunited. h likes lights off and her body covered. Eventually, she comes clean and admits to H she HAD cancer, it’s in remission, but she lost her n*pples during surgery. She has scars from the chemo. And she in some sort of menopause, so she may not be able to have kids. Her ex (who she was with for 8 years and engaged to at one time) said a bunch of nasty crap about her body (dude seriously needed to be kicked in the junk with some steel toe boots)

H has to spend a LOT of time convincing h she’s pretty/sexy/desirable. She slowly opens up.

The rest of the book is keeping their relationship secret except everybody knows except h’s boss (but he actually does know 😒)

What I found so hard to believe about this book was the fact that h trusted H so soon. I don’t see how it’s possible anybody would trust this guy??? 🤷‍♀️ Don’t get me wrong, he was a very nice and caring H. He did swoon-worthy acts for h. He was charming. He was a flirt. BUT he was all those things way before h.

Another “personal preference” thing I didn’t enjoy was the smex scenes. For some reason, some of them felt awkward and cringe. The dialogue was not my favorite
Profile Image for sky.
333 reviews32 followers
May 21, 2025
FIVE STARS ISN’T ENOUGH! INFINITY STARS TO THIS HOCKEY ROMANCE!!!! Dallas motherfucking Shaw! The man you are! Big beefcake playboy who thinks he’s got it all figured out only to be taken down by the older, blonde, little bit emotionally broken girl he has a one night stand with??! THE YEARNING FROM THIS MAN! This Texas boy fell HARD and FAST!

But who can blame him!? I fell hard and fast for Emily Cole too! God I related to her so much and yet also sat with the fact that I’m lucky I’ve never had to deal with some of her fears. I wanted to hug her, drink wine and gossip with her, kiss her, and hug her again. I adored how multi-layered she was — successful, passionate, headstrong, vulnerable, emotionally/mentally torn down but still putting one foot in front of the other, sweet & loyal. Dallas was right when he said she was perfection (flaws and scars included).

This is absolutely a MUST READ! Especially if you love hockey romances, a former playboy who falls first, age gap where fmc is older (35/26), emotional connection, hot af physical chemistry, down bad mmc who makes it his mission to show his girl how sexy she is and how loved she is.

There was humor, heartache, heartwarming confessions of love, tension from sneaking around (stupid no fraternization clauses!), dirty talk that would drop a nun to her knees, pining and yearning to a degree that made me swoon and kick my feet giggling, chemistry so hot the mmc couldn’t help but finish in his pants😏, and the most beautiful love story with the most wonderful HEA!

Gahhhh I just loved it so much and need everyone to read so I can gush about these two with others😭😍

Thank you to the author and TheAuthorAgency for the e-ARC! Review is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Sariah.
384 reviews19 followers
April 23, 2025
IM IN LOVE IM IN LOVE AND I DONT CARE WHO KNOWS IT!!!

I am down bad for both 𝐃𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐬 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐰 & 𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐞!!

This books is so fun, fresh, funny (um hello romcom queen!!) Shann had me laughing, crying, sweating, and (s)creaming!!

The vibes of One Night Only
💕Reverse Age Gap (she’s 9 years older)
💕Hockey Romance
💕Hockey Goalie AND Cowboy (HOT AF)
💕Reformed Playboy
💕Broken FMC
💕He Falls First & HARD!!!

Dallas and Emily meet at a bar and have a one night stand. One month later Dallas and Emily run into each other again but wait!! She works for his agent, so they can’t pursue anything. Until Dallas says FÙCK IT!

Dallas and Emily have the cutest banter!! I love them with my whole chest!! The chemistry they have?!? WHEW!! Someone cool me off!!

Don’t get me started on the way that Dallas respects and loves Emily😭😭 it’s the most pure beautiful relationship EVER!!

This book is the prime example of never settling, and if the man wanted to he would!!
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