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Top Shelf #1
Playmaker
Summer
I know better than to fall for Gabriel Carter, notorious NHL playboy. Not only has he broken innumerable hearts during his 7 years in LA, he's my boss—even if he does have a smile that leaves me weak in the knees, a body built for sin, and enough charm to melt my sundress clean off.
So what if I swoon a little over the way he sings Everly to sleep every night he's not on the road? So what if he's deliciously protective and alpha-male over me whenever the paparazzi get too close? It doesn't mean anything... or does it?
I try to tell myself it's just a job, but between the stolen kisses and blurry lines, playing house with him is starting to feel a little too real.
Gabe
Summer Crawford loves nothing more than putting me in my place. She's five feet, five inches of sweet southern sass— and temptation sleeping in the bedroom next to mine.
When all the rules go out the window one night, everything changes. After knowing how explosive our chemistry is together, there's no way I can go back to pretending we're just friends.
There's one small Summer is my employee. My daughter Everly's nanny. Ev needs her, which means she's completely off-limits. Or at least, she should be... but I've never been good at following the rules.
Turns out, I need Summer too. Now I'm playing for keeps—and I always win.
PLAYMAKER is a standalone steamy single dad & nanny sports romance. This is a next-generation spinoff from OFFSIDE featuring Gabriel Carter, Chase & Bailey's son.
I know better than to fall for Gabriel Carter, notorious NHL playboy. Not only has he broken innumerable hearts during his 7 years in LA, he's my boss—even if he does have a smile that leaves me weak in the knees, a body built for sin, and enough charm to melt my sundress clean off.
So what if I swoon a little over the way he sings Everly to sleep every night he's not on the road? So what if he's deliciously protective and alpha-male over me whenever the paparazzi get too close? It doesn't mean anything... or does it?
I try to tell myself it's just a job, but between the stolen kisses and blurry lines, playing house with him is starting to feel a little too real.
Gabe
Summer Crawford loves nothing more than putting me in my place. She's five feet, five inches of sweet southern sass— and temptation sleeping in the bedroom next to mine.
When all the rules go out the window one night, everything changes. After knowing how explosive our chemistry is together, there's no way I can go back to pretending we're just friends.
There's one small Summer is my employee. My daughter Everly's nanny. Ev needs her, which means she's completely off-limits. Or at least, she should be... but I've never been good at following the rules.
Turns out, I need Summer too. Now I'm playing for keeps—and I always win.
PLAYMAKER is a standalone steamy single dad & nanny sports romance. This is a next-generation spinoff from OFFSIDE featuring Gabriel Carter, Chase & Bailey's son.
ebook
Published January 22, 2026
65 people are currently reading
14565 people want to read
About the author
Avery Keelan
14 books5,053 followersAvery Keelan is a sports romance & adult contemporary romance author who writes hot hockey heroes you'll swoon for.
Her stories contain happily ever afters with lovable characters, snarky banter, and enough steam to fog up a mirror. Plus, of course, a hefty dose of drama and angst along the way.
When not writing, she's spending time with her family, watching hockey (obviously), or enjoying the great Canadian outdoors.
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Her stories contain happily ever afters with lovable characters, snarky banter, and enough steam to fog up a mirror. Plus, of course, a hefty dose of drama and angst along the way.
When not writing, she's spending time with her family, watching hockey (obviously), or enjoying the great Canadian outdoors.
Follow on Social Media to receive teasers, updates, sales and more:
Amazon Author Page
TikTok
BookBub
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Currently reading
March 13, 2024Pro hockey superstar Gabriel Carter has everything: a thriving professional hockey career, an MVP trophy from last season—and an infant daughter he didn't know existed.
Releasing May 2nd!
ARC Sign Up: https://valentinepr.net/book/playmake...
Releasing May 2nd!
ARC Sign Up: https://valentinepr.net/book/playmake...
Want to read
March 23, 2024I want to read this sooo badly. I was so excited for December 4th, but then it got pushed back to January 3rd. Two days ago! Since then I checked for updates daily, but it’s nowhere to be found on amazon and KU.
Apparently it got pushed back again and this time there isn’t even a release date… this is so frustrating😭 (I mean no shade to the author, love her and hope it all works out)
Apparently it got pushed back again and this time there isn’t even a release date… this is so frustrating😭 (I mean no shade to the author, love her and hope it all works out)
April 10, 2022
Avery is the queen of all things Wattpad, but she’s definitely the best at all things hockey romance!!! I’ve recommended her a thousand times to people, and I always highlight the fact that she’s up and coming, new to publishing, but still hands down the best author that I’ve seen on Wattpad AND hockey romance writer.
She’s got the humor, the characters, the smut, heartfelt moments, and everything in between. The day that I have one of her hockey romances on my bookshelves is the day that I’ll probably cry happy tears because I love her! Can’t wait to see where this story goes, but regardless 5/5 ❤️
She’s got the humor, the characters, the smut, heartfelt moments, and everything in between. The day that I have one of her hockey romances on my bookshelves is the day that I’ll probably cry happy tears because I love her! Can’t wait to see where this story goes, but regardless 5/5 ❤️
January 25, 2026
The way this keeps getting pushed back is unbelievable and incredibly unprofessional.
For context this was supposed to be released in December of 2023 then it got pushed January 2024. Then again to May 2024 and no surprise to anyone when it doesn’t. We get no explanation on the reason why, how it’s coming along or when it’ll release until now. It’s January 22nd 2026 and I don’t see this anywhere on Amazon once again. Honestly I love Avery I truly do and i understand she’s human as well but telling readers this will release and NOT following through for what? The fifth time in the past THREE years. Either release the book or don’t.
Saying you will only to disappear when it’s supposed to come is unprofessional. I’ve lost all excitement for this book and potentially any future works from Avery due to her lack of communication and not following through on her supposed release schedule. I cannot be the only one incredibly frustrated with this.
For context this was supposed to be released in December of 2023 then it got pushed January 2024. Then again to May 2024 and no surprise to anyone when it doesn’t. We get no explanation on the reason why, how it’s coming along or when it’ll release until now. It’s January 22nd 2026 and I don’t see this anywhere on Amazon once again. Honestly I love Avery I truly do and i understand she’s human as well but telling readers this will release and NOT following through for what? The fifth time in the past THREE years. Either release the book or don’t.
Saying you will only to disappear when it’s supposed to come is unprofessional. I’ve lost all excitement for this book and potentially any future works from Avery due to her lack of communication and not following through on her supposed release schedule. I cannot be the only one incredibly frustrated with this.
03-not-released
January 24, 20262nd May 2024 // changed to 16th Oct 2025 // changed to 15th Nov 2025 // changed to 22nd Jan 2026 // now TBD
January 23, 2026
So far this book has been pushed back about 8 times now. The first release date was in November 2021 when the book was first published to Wattpad then removed not long into it being on there. From there the first publishing date was on December 5th 2023. Today is January 22nd 2026 and this is the 8th time the publishing date has been moved (9 if you count the original publishing date that was never fully released). I understand that life happens but this is so incredibly unprofessional. If you can't meet a deadline for publishing then do not set one.
I was super excited to read this book but with how many times it has been pushed back it leaves a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. I no longer trust anything this author states regarding publishing dates as she has made it abundantly clear that she does not care nor respect the dates SHE set. I am very disappointed with her consistent pattern of not respecting the dates she set. She does not care about the readers because if she did she would not have pushed back the release date(s) and would not have set one without knowing she could meet it.
I have enjoyed her books ever since her Wattpad days and was super excited when she moved to publishing them. I really want to continue supporting her and her work but I no longer feel as if I want to with the lack of respect she shows. This is unprofessional and disappointing to see.
I was super excited to read this book but with how many times it has been pushed back it leaves a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. I no longer trust anything this author states regarding publishing dates as she has made it abundantly clear that she does not care nor respect the dates SHE set. I am very disappointed with her consistent pattern of not respecting the dates she set. She does not care about the readers because if she did she would not have pushed back the release date(s) and would not have set one without knowing she could meet it.
I have enjoyed her books ever since her Wattpad days and was super excited when she moved to publishing them. I really want to continue supporting her and her work but I no longer feel as if I want to with the lack of respect she shows. This is unprofessional and disappointing to see.
December 10, 2025
Playmaker by Avery Keelan — the first book in the Top Shelf series — is a sizzling, emotionally charged sports romance that brings together a grizzled‑by‑life pro hockey star and a feisty, principled nanny. The story centers on Gabriel Carter, a cocky NHL forward and single dad, and Summer Crawford, hired to care for his daughter. What begins as a strictly business arrangement becomes complicated the moment attraction blurs boundaries. Keelan writes with plenty of heat, tension, and slow‑burn build up — and the emotional stakes deepen as characters confront their pasts and what it means to trust again. Fans of steamy sports romance with flawed, layered protagonists will find this one hard to resist.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews