Stick to Me

New York Raptors #1

by Marion De Ré

Ever heard of a guy who’s nice, funny, cooks like a chef, boasts a six-pack, and is the best player in the NHL?
Well, let me introduce you to Aaron Miles—AKA the biggest test of my self-control.
Aaron and I have been friends since sixth grade, sharing everything from school and vacation to helping me start my business. But one thing I did on my own: falling in love with him.
It’s hopeless. He’s already rejected me once, and besides, as the coach’s daughter, I’m off-limits to everyone on the team, especially Aaron, who has a father-son relationship with my dad.
Yet, the more I try to suppress my feelings, the deeper my attraction grows. It’s hard to resist when he plans the best surprise birthdays and drops everything to be there for me. Oh, and did I mention we’re roommates? And that he loves parading around the apartment with his abs on display?
Yeah, I’m doomed.
I’m trying to get over him—trust me—but lately, there’s something in his eyes I’ve never seen before. An intense glint that mirrors the fire inside me. Surely, it means nothing, right?
It’s my heart playing tricks on me. As a romance reader, I’m prone to jumping to conclusions.
And if there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s that the Friends to Lovers trope is the less realistic of them all.
I can’t get my hopes up. There’s way too much at stake.

Stick To Me is a closed door friends to lovers romcom between a hot headed hockey player and the coach’s daughter.
Follow the men of the New York Raptors NHL franchise as they chase professional success and the women who will melt their heart.
All books are standalones and can be read in any order.

Perfect for fans of:
✔️Hockey Romance
✔️Friends to lovers
✔️Coach’s daughter
✔️Roommates
✔️Found Family
✔️Witty Banter
✔️Closed door/Kisses only

Genres: Romance, Sports Romance, Friends To Lovers, Hockey, Hockey Romance, Sports, Contemporary

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2025

About the author

Marion De Ré is a closed-door romantic comedy author. She lives in the French countryside with her husband and adorable cat. You can expect all your beloved tropes in her writing as well as a good dose of humor and all the feels. When she's not reading or writing, you can find her on a plane to a far-away destination.

Get a free story: http://www.subscribepage.io/bYvJRP

Find Marion on Instagram : www.instagram.com/marionderewrites

Reviews

[joni ౨ৎ - busy · Rating 4 out of 5]

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 4.5 stars ⭐️

⤿ 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 april 22
⤿ 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 april 22

arc review 💌
release date: april 1

⁀➴ 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬
🏒 hockey romcom
🧁 clean
🏒 best friends to lovers
🧁 years of longing
🏒 coach's daughter
🧁 roomates

i had lots of fun with this book and read it within 2 hours 🤭

if you're looking for completely clean hockey book this is for you!! literally no swearing, no innuendo, nothing explicit - i'd say 13+ bc of some topics but like perfect for teens 🤍

both mc's were actually likeable and i enjoyed reading from both their povs! i kinda went into this book blind other than knowing it was a clean hockey romcom. i'm glad even tho i didn't realize the tropes lol. it was super fun and easy- if ur looking for a fast paced/quick read this is PERFECT!!!

it was kind of cheesy but yk me and my love for romcoms 😙


thank you to bookwiththeemilys and the author for an arc in exchange for my honest review <33

[Arna Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

ᴡᴀꜱ ɪᴛ ᴜᴘᴛᴏ ᴍʏ ᴇxᴘᴇᴄᴛᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱ? ʏᴇꜱ
ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ɪ ʀᴇᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴅ? ʏᴇꜱ

♥️➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶♥️

ᴍᴀʀɪꜱꜱᴀ ˏˋ°•*⁀➷
ᴍᴀʀɪꜱꜱᴀ “ᴍᴀʀᴛɪɴ” ᴡᴀꜱ ꜱᴏ ᴀᴅᴏʀᴀʙʟᴇ, ꜱʜᴇ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴄᴏᴍᴍɪᴛ ᴀ ᴄʀɪᴍᴇ, ᴀɴᴅ ɪ’ᴅ ᴘʀᴏʙᴀʙʟʏ ʜᴇʟᴘ ʜᴇʀ ᴄᴏᴠᴇʀ ɪᴛ ᴜᴘ. ʟɪᴋᴇ, “ᴏʜ, ʏᴏᴜ ᴀᴄᴄɪᴅᴇɴᴛᴀʟʟʏ ꜱᴇᴛ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴏɴ ꜰɪʀᴇ? ᴛʜᴀᴛ’ꜱ ᴏᴋᴀʏ, ꜱᴡᴇᴇᴛɪᴇ, ᴡᴇ’ʟʟ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ᴄᴀʟʟ ɪᴛ ᴀɴ ᴀᴇꜱᴛʜᴇᴛɪᴄ ᴄʜᴏɪᴄᴇ.” ᴍᴀʀᴛɪɴ, ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴍɪɢʜᴛ ᴀᴄᴛᴜᴀʟʟʏ ʙᴇ ᴄʟᴏɴᴇꜱ.

ᴀᴀʀᴏɴ ˏˋ°•*⁀➷
ᴀᴀʀᴏɴ ᴡᴀꜱɴ’ᴛ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ᴀ ɢʀᴇᴇɴ ꜰʟᴀɢ—ʜᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡʜᴏʟᴇ ᴅᴀᴍɴ ᴛʀᴀꜰꜰɪᴄ ʟɪɢʜᴛ ꜱʏꜱᴛᴇᴍ ᴘᴇʀᴍᴀɴᴇɴᴛʟʏ ꜱᴛᴜᴄᴋ ᴏɴ ɢᴏ. ꜱᴡᴇᴇᴛ, ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜰᴜʟ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ᴀ ᴍᴇᴀʟ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴍᴇ ʀᴇᴛʜɪɴᴋɪɴɢ ᴍʏ ᴇɴᴛɪʀᴇ ᴇxɪꜱᴛᴇɴᴄᴇ? ɪ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴍᴀɴ ᴘʀɪɴᴛᴇᴅ, ʟᴀᴍɪɴᴀᴛᴇᴅ, ᴀɴᴅ ʙʀᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ᴛᴏ ʟɪꜰᴇ ɪᴍᴍᴇᴅɪᴀᴛᴇʟʏ. ᴀᴀʀᴏɴ ᴡᴀꜱ ꜱᴏ ᴘᴇʀꜰᴇᴄᴛ, ɪ’ᴍ ꜱᴛᴀʀᴛɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ʜᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴡʀɪᴛᴛᴇɴ ᴀꜱ ᴀɴ ᴀᴘᴏʟᴏɢʏ ꜰᴏʀ ᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇᴅ ꜰʟᴀɢꜱ ᴡᴇ’ᴠᴇ ʜᴀᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴇɴᴅᴜʀᴇ.

♥️➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶♥️

ᴀᴀʀᴏɴ x ᴍᴀʀɪ ˏˋ°•*⁀➷
ᴀ Qᴜᴀʀᴛᴇʀ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋ, ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴀʟʀᴇᴀᴅʏ ꜱᴄʀᴇᴀᴍɪɴɢ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇᴍ ᴛᴏ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ɢᴇᴛ ᴛᴏɢᴇᴛʜᴇʀ ᴀʟʀᴇᴀᴅʏ. ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ꜱᴏ ʀɪᴅɪᴄᴜʟᴏᴜꜱʟʏ ᴘᴇʀꜰᴇᴄᴛ ꜰᴏʀ ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ, ꜱᴏ ᴜɴʙᴇᴀʀᴀʙʟʏ ᴄᴜᴛᴇ, ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴄᴏɴᴠɪɴᴄᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴅɪᴅɴ’ᴛ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴀ ᴅᴀᴛɪɴɢ ᴘʜᴀꜱᴇ. ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴏᴍᴇɴᴛ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴄᴏɴꜰᴇꜱꜱᴇᴅ, ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ’ᴠᴇ ꜱᴋɪᴘᴘᴇᴅ ꜱᴛʀᴀɪɢʜᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴀʀʀɪᴀɢᴇ, ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅɴ’ᴛ ʜᴀᴠᴇ Qᴜᴇꜱᴛɪᴏɴᴇᴅ ᴀ ᴛʜɪɴɢ.

♥️➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶♥️

ᴏᴠᴇʀᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ ˏˋ°•*⁀➷
ᴛʜɪꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴡᴀꜱ ꜱᴏ ᴄᴜᴛᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ʜᴏɴᴇꜱᴛʟʏ ᴡɪꜱʜ ɪ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴇʀᴀꜱᴇ ɪᴛ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴍʏ ᴍᴇᴍᴏʀʏ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴇxᴘᴇʀɪᴇɴᴄᴇ ɪᴛ ᴀʟʟ ᴏᴠᴇʀ ᴀɢᴀɪɴ. ᴇᴠᴇɴ ᴋɴᴏᴡɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ʀᴇʟᴜᴄᴛᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴀᴛᴇ ɴᴇᴀʀʟʏ ᴅʀᴏᴠᴇ ᴍᴇ ᴜᴘ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀʟʟ, ɪ’ᴅ ꜱᴛɪʟʟ ɢʟᴀᴅʟʏ ɢᴏ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰʀᴜꜱᴛʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇʟɪᴠᴇ ᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴅᴏʀᴀʙʟᴇ ᴍᴏᴍᴇɴᴛꜱ.

♥️➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶♥️

ɪ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇʟʏ ꜰᴏʀɢᴏᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡʜᴇɴ ɪᴛ ᴄᴏᴍᴇꜱ ᴛᴏ ʜᴏᴄᴋᴇʏ, ɪ’ᴍ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴀꜱ ᴋɴᴏᴡʟᴇᴅɢᴇᴀʙʟᴇ ᴀꜱ ᴀ ꜰɪꜱʜ ᴛʀʏɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ʀɪᴅᴇ ᴀ ʙɪᴄʏᴄʟᴇ. ɪ ᴅᴏɴ’ᴛ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴛʜᴇ “ʜ” ɪɴ ʜᴏᴄᴋᴇʏ, ᴀɴᴅ ꜰʀᴀɴᴋʟʏ, ɪ ᴅɪᴅɴ’ᴛ ᴄᴀʀᴇ. ᴛʜᴇ ꜰᴇᴡ ᴛɪᴍᴇꜱ ɪᴛ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴍᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴᴇᴅ, ɪ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ᴋᴇᴘᴛ ɢᴏɪɴɢ ʟɪᴋᴇ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴏɴᴇ ꜱᴍɪʟɪɴɢ ᴀɴᴅ ɴᴏᴅᴅɪɴɢ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ᴀ ᴄᴏɴᴠᴇʀꜱᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ɪɴ ᴀ ʟᴀɴɢᴜᴀɢᴇ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴅᴏɴ’ᴛ ꜱᴘᴇᴀᴋ.ɪ ᴀᴍ ꜱᴏ ꜱᴏʀʀʏ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ɴᴏ ᴡᴀʏ ɪ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴘᴀꜱꜱɪɴɢ ᴜᴘ ᴀ ɢᴏᴏᴅ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅꜱ-ᴛᴏ-ʟᴏᴠᴇʀꜱ ꜱᴛᴏʀʏ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ɪᴛ ɪɴᴠᴏʟᴠᴇᴅ ʜᴏᴄᴋᴇʏ. ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴄᴏɴQᴜᴇʀꜱ ᴀʟʟ—ᴇꜱᴘᴇᴄɪᴀʟʟʏ ᴍʏ ʟᴀᴄᴋ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴘᴏʀᴛꜱ ᴋɴᴏᴡʟᴇᴅɢᴇ.

♥️➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶♥️

ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴇᴄᴏɴᴅ ᴛʜɪɴɢ ɪ ᴛᴏᴛᴀʟʟʏ ꜰᴏʀɢᴏᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴ (ꜱᴇʀɪᴏᴜꜱʟʏ, ɪ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ɢᴇᴛ ɪᴛ ᴛᴏɢᴇᴛʜᴇʀ) ɪꜱ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ᴀᴍ ᴠᴇʀʏ ᴇxᴄɪᴛᴇᴅ ꜰᴏʀ ᴊᴀᴍᴇꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ʙᴇᴛʜ’ꜱ ꜱᴛᴏʀʏ. ʟɪᴋᴇ, ᴜɴʀᴇᴀꜱᴏɴᴀʙʟʏ ᴇxᴄɪᴛᴇᴅ.ɪ ᴍɪɢʜᴛ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ʟᴇᴀʀɴ ᴀ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ ʜᴏᴄᴋᴇʏ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇɴ… ʙᴜᴛ ʟᴇᴛ’ꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ɢᴇᴛ ᴛᴏᴏ ᴀᴍʙɪᴛɪᴏᴜꜱ.

♥️➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶♥️

Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and @marionderewrites for the ARC.

[Paris (parismaereads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars, rounded down for Goodreads

My Quick Takes:
- 4.25/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
- Genre 📚 hockey romance
- Language 🤐 one use of mild
- Spice ❤️‍🔥 kisses only
- Content ☠️ childhood parental abandonment, past death of parent

Super cute and quick read!

This book had a good balance of hockey and romance, some tend to lean more heavily one way or another. All of the characters were endearing and I was invested enough to want to continue on to see how other characters’ romances play out in the series.

There were some fun bookish nods throughout the plot, and some great forced proximity (my favorite). Stick to Me is a perfect, low stakes romance with no spice and a fun friends to more trope.

I listened to the audio and loved the dual narration! If you’re looking for a feel good, happily ever with mild content this is it!

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Stick To Me is an extra-cheesy friends-to-lovers Ice Hockey Romance (try saying that 3x fast 😂). Aaron and Marissa have been best-friends since they were teens, and in love with each other for just as long. Their relationship was super sweet (and friendship was believable) and I loved the dual P.O.V. as they were both pining over each other in secret. I loved that this book featured actual Ice Hockey games in play. My pet hate with sports romances is when they gloss over all the sporty action and cut to post-game scenes.

The book is part of a wider community series so I can't wait to read Marion De Re's other novels and see where all these characters end up.

[ria ౨ৎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

✮✮✮.5

↬ “But my mind is on her. Always on her. And I know I’m in big trouble.”

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book (this does not change my ratings on the book). This was such a cute and fun read. It was so easy and quick, and honestly pretty refreshing. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!!

I absolutely adored Marissa and Aaron. They were so cute and adorable together. I was rooting for them the whole entire time and couldn’t wait for them to get together. One of the things that I loved the most in the book is how you could clearly see how much love and respect these two characters had for one another.

The only thing that I didn’t really enjoy was how they decided to hide their relationship from everyone. While I understood where they were coming from I still thought that was a little weird since they were acting as if what they were doing was a crime. Besides that I really enjoyed the book and its characters.

Like I said on the beginning of the review, I cannot wait for the next book. I was not only invested on Aaron and Marissa’s relationship but also Adler and Beth. I bet their book will be so much fun!!

[Devika · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved Aaron and Marissa’s characters. Since they know each other for so long, their love is even cuter! Marissa is a real hockeygirl and I can’t imagine her being with anyone else than Aaron. In addition, I loved Aaron’s sweet personality. He’s so caring and would be the perfect book boyfriend in my opinion.

Marion de Ré has managed to create a loving romance. I loved the “Coaches daughter” aspect to this forbidden love, but also the funny parts between the players in the story. I really loved seeing Marissa and Aarons friendship develop in something more. Stick To Me really is a book to swoon over!

Check out my full review on my blog Boekensteeg

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hockey fans rejoice!!! You don't want to miss this sweet and swoony new book from Marion De Re! Seriously, you're going to love it! It's definitely up there as one of my favorite hockey books! *All the heart eyes*

Marissa is the coach's daughter and Aaron is her best friend and one of the coach's star players! I love that we finally get to read Aaron's story! He's been in the background of this author's previous trilogy and I loved his story!!! It just made me super happy.

I love a good best friends to more story. I was cheering so hard for these two to figure out everything! And when they do, you are going to be cheering really hard too! All the swoon and heart eyes for Marissa and Aaron.

And if you're a hockey fan, you're going to love all the hockey aspects! Grab your copy, your favorite team's jersey, cozy blanket and your favorite drink and dive in!

Content: Clean. The characters share an apartment together but just as friends. Some kisses later on but nothing more.

I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

[Danielle Kaitlin (daniallreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't sleep on this cozy lil hockey love story!

Thank you Partner, @bookedwiththeemilys @marionderewrites for the #gifted copy of "Stick to Me" [Pub Day: OUT NOW, Available on Kindle Unlimited]

Hockey romances have become my happy place. I can easily slip into its pages and find endless joy.

"Stick to Me" is a hug in a book. Two best friends finding their way to each other after w a y too many years of pining. Sweet stories from their past that will make you audibly squeal "aweee" into the world. A quaint coffee and bookstore that you'd want to spend your entire life in. A friend group you wish you could be adopted into.

I loved Marissa and Aaron. I loved that everyone was rooting for them to f i n a l l y be together. I loved being able to live in their present and their past.

It was so refreshing to read a book where these two characters just naturally cared for each other. They knew the l i t t l e things about one another. Their chemistry. Them existing together. It was beautiful.

You know me... I am a sucker for sports romances that have teammates getting into hilarious hijinks. Marion gives us that and more. Lemme just say I need James and Beth's story a s a p. (July cannot come soon enough)

Ps. There's a bookstore scene that will live rent-free in my head forever. (Ifykyk)

🏒 Coaches Daughter
🤍 Friends to Lovers
🏒 Hockey, duh
🤍 Slow Burn
🏒 Found Family
🤍 Closed Door
🏒 Body Postitivity
🤍 Secret Dating

[Melissa (honeybee.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stick To Me is the first book in the New York Raptors series. There are some returning characters from previous books in the One Chapter series, but it reads entirely fine as a standalone. Friends to Lovers is a trope that is hit or miss with me, I won't lie I wasn't sure going in. Then I reminded myself it's Marion, she got me and won me over with her immaculate storytelling skills. The storyline absolutely hooked me from the start, I couldn't put this book down. We got a lot of hockey, friendships and romance, it was chef's kiss, the blend was just the right amount of each. The slow burn was torturous, but highly worth the reward.

The characters in this book were such a huge highlight for me. The relationship between Marissa & Aaron as best friends was so wholesome, adorable and beautiful. The banter they had together made me laugh out loud and the sweet moments made me swoon. Their chemistry was undeniable and evident to everyone but each other. Once the spark ignited, the butterflies swarmed in my stomach, it was perfect!

Now, let's give a round of applause for… NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP 🙌🏻🙌🏻 The book couldn't have ended on a better note than it did. It's what made it even better for me, it just tied it up immaculately.

Overall, this was an amazing first installment to this new series. The author has put in some time researching hockey and it truly shined in the book. The romance was the sweetest, the characters are wholesome and it was just as a whole such a great read! I am overly excited for James & Beth's story 😍

✨️Thank you to @mariondere for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Yvette Jarrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever imagined a guy who's effortlessly charming, hilarious, an incredible cook, rocking a six-pack, and just so happens to be the NHL's top player? Meet Aaron Miles-the ultimate test of Marissa Martin's self-restraint.

Aaron and Marissa have been inseparable since sixth grade, sharing everything from school trips to helping her launch her business. But one thing she's kept to herself? Her hopeless, unshakable love for him. After all, Aaron already turned her down once, and as the coach's daughter, she's strictly off-limits. Add in the fact that Aaron shares a father-son bond with her dad, and the situation becomes even more impossible.
But no matter how hard she tries to move on, resisting Aaron becomes a losing battle-especially when he's planning surprise birthday celebrations, showing up for her in ways no one else ever does, and, oh yeah, strutting around their shared apartment with his abs on full display.

Just when Marissa convinces herself she's imagining things, Aaron starts looking at her differently-with a heat in his eyes that mirrors her own feelings. It's probably nothing... right?

As a devoted romance reader, Marissa knows better than to believe in the Friends-to-Lovers trope-it's one of the least realistic ones out there. With so much at stake, she can't afford to hope for more.

Marion De Ré delivers an irresistibly heartwarming closed-door romcom featuring:
* A hotheaded hockey player
* The coach's off-limits daughter
* A shared living arrangement
* Found family dynamics
* Sharp-witted banter
* Slow-burn romance that's worth every second

Aaron and Marissa's story is pure magic. Their friendship is endearing, their chemistry undeniable, and their slow-burning romance is both torturous and completely rewarding. From laugh-out-loud banter to swoon-worthy moments, their journey is packed with all the feels. And best of all-no frustrating third-act breakup!

The hockey elements are woven seamlessly into the story, adding authenticity without overshadowing the romance. It's the perfect blend of sports, friendship, and love, making it impossible to put down.

As the first book in the New York Raptors series, Stick to Me stands strong on its own, but fans of De Re's One Chapter series will appreciate the returning characters. With impeccable storytelling and a beautifully crafted romance, Marion De Ré proves once again why she's a must-read author.

Now, I’m holding my breath waiting for James & Beth's story! I'm already counting down the days!

Thank you to the author for this advanced writers copy. All opinions are my own.

[Kimberley · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so nice returning to Warlington Lane with the famous No Shelf Control bookstore in Stick To Me the new hockey series featuring the players from the New York Raptors the local hockey team. This friends to lovers roommates romance features Aaron and Marissa. Aaron plays with the Raptors and his coach is Marissa’s dad they have always been best friends. This story kept me interested from the beginning as we are taken on their journey to happy ever after. I adored all the returning characters from the One Chapter series. This wholesome story has all the emotions with no spice. I received a complementary copy from the author.

[Catarina Águas · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review

This was so good, definitely 4,5 stars.
Marissa and Aaron have loved each other for years but fear of messing their friendship and the fact that her dad is his coach kept them from saying anything. Seeing these two trying to resist what they felt and trying to move on was so funny. There was no one else for neither of them, it each other or no one

[Lissa Ruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore Aaron & Marissa's sweet , caring, hopeful, emotionally intense, loving swoony happily ever after!!!

[Randi Sampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you loved meeting the New York Raptors in the One More Chapter series and were hoping to spend a little more time with the team, wish granted with this new series. But don't worry, while those who DID read the previous series will enjoy catching up with some familiar characters, this is a brand-new series and can absolutely be enjoyed as a standalone.

Marion De Ré is one of those must-read authors for me--- the ones that I know without a doubt are always going to deliver a swoon worthy romance that will have me smiling. Throw some hockey into the mix? Even better! This one absolutely did not disappoint. Aaron and Marissa had the sweetest relationship... I loved their friendship and the history they had... and all that pining? It was so good! These two had stayed firmly in the friend zone for years, but sharing an apartment makes all that undeniable chemistry even more undeniable. It was a bit of a slower burn- as a good friends to more should be but seeing them make that switch was so very worth it. (And the way those feelings finally came out? No spoilers here, but I absolutely loved how it played out!) I absolutely loved this story and cannot wait to see what's coming next in the series!

Stick To Me is a closed-door romance with kisses only. It does have a few minor swears.

**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Pao Salguero · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I've been confused for years, watching you two at like you're brother and sister when you obviously loved each other"

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to shake main characters as much as I did with these two. Marissa and Aaron had me absolutely losing my mind with how oblivious they were to each other’s feelings. It made for a hilarious, yet lowkey frustrating, read—because all I wanted was to jump into the book and knock some sense into them!

That said, they’re easily one of the cutest, funniest, and most adorably clueless couples I’ve ever read about. Watching them pine for one another while stubbornly denying their feelings—despite it being painfully obvious to everyone else, readers included—was incredibly entertaining.

I also really loved the foundation of their friendship. Their bond felt genuinely special, the kind that not everyone finds, so I could totally understand their hesitancy to take things further. But oh my god, I’m so glad they finally confessed. And the way Marion (!!!) did it? Absolute chef’s kiss. I legitimately swooned during that scene.

Overall, I adored this book. It was sweet, joyful, and had me hooked from the first page—I devoured it in one sitting. I can’t wait to see where the series goes next!

[BookLionQueen · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO CUTE!

I’m a fan of friends to lovers fan but this one… this one is one of the best. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the tension between our MC’s as they both danced around their 10+ year long feelings for each other. I LOVED that it was a coach’s daughter, hockey romance and I cannot wait to read more about the New York Raptors.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

STICK TO ME, Marion De Ré’s first book in the NEW YORK RAPTORS series, is a hat trick!
🏒 Friends-to-lovers
🥅 Coach’s daughter
🏒 Found family

Marissa Martin and Aaron Miles have been friends since middle school. Not just friends, but BEST friends. Now grown, they are living out their dreams. Aaron is a wildly popular defenseman for the NHL New York Raptors and Melissa is a successful Brooklyn coffee shop owner. They might be the most compatible roommates ever; sharing a love for books, movies, and hockey. They also share a secret … each crushing BIG TIME on the other, but afraid of ruining their friendship or incurring the wrath of Aaron’s coach who just so happens to be Marissa’s dad.

I loved this book. Truly. It has all the elements that make reading romance fun - super likable main characters, witty banter, genuine chemistry, an endearing supporting cast, just the right amount of tension, and an ending that leaves you swooning. I’m excited to have a new series to look forward to and a new-to-me author with a backlist to binge.

I’ve long been a hockey fan - a New York Rangers fan, to be exact - and am absolutely smitten with hockey romance. This fun, flirty, no spice romance will steal your heart.

Thanks to the author and Booked With The Emilys for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This is my favorite book I've read from Marion De Ré so far! I love a hockey romance, so I was thrilled when the NY Raptors, who featured as side characters in the One More Chapter series, got a spin off series of their own. With the comfort of old friends making appearances, this series starts out following Marissa, the coach's daughter, and her best friend and roommate, defenseman Aaron. After her father took Aaron under his wing while the pair were still in middle school, the two were afraid to reveal their true feelings to each other, assuming Marissa's father would be against the union. The mutual pining gave just enough angst without being stressful, and you kept rooting for the two to finally give their relationship a chance (especially during Marissa's truly horrifying online dating attempts). Friends to lovers isn't usually a favorite trope of mine, because I can find it a little slow and boring, but I loved this one and all the characters so much that I didn't feel that way at all this time. This book ended on a high note and I'm excited to see what's in store for the rest of the team.

💜 Thank you Marion De Ré for a copy of Stick To Me

[Sorina · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Stick to Me” by Marion de Ré is the first book in the “New York Raptors” series. This is also interconected with the “One More Chapter” series that I liked a lot.

Thank you Marion for the ARC. Opinions from this review are completely my own.

You will enjoy this book if you like:
- friends to lovers
- hockey romances
- found family
- witty banter
- closed door/kissing only
- slow burn

I was looking forward to this hockey romance series, since it was hinted at the end of “The Fake Script”. Aaron and Marissa were best friends for a long time, but both have feelings for each other.

The story is nicely written, the characters are lovable and have a lot of chemistry. It was nice to have the main characters from One More Chapter integrated in the story as a big family.
As always, the romance is very sweet, with a slow burn that needed only a spark. It was hard to see how they both think the other doesn’t return their feelings and trying to keep the relationship at the friendship stage.

Looking forward to James and Beth’s story as they had many fun interactions and I already know I’ll like their story.

[Darlene Montalvo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks @Netgalley and @marionderewrites for letting me read and review this book . This hockey sports romance is a coach daughter friend to lovers books . I have read @marionderewrites before and have loved each book in this universe. Fmc is coffee shop book lover and hockey fan who happens to be in love with her best friend and roommate who is a hockey player for dad’s team. The Flo of this book was great and the relationship building was great. I can wait to see if we get Beth’s book

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

ARC REVIEW🤪

It was cute! A sweet lil closed door hockey romance!

I think I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if I was 16. At some points it felt a little like a YA novel even though the characters are in their late 20s. It was a fun, easy read, but I don’t think I was the target audience for it🥰

This is kind of the perfect book to introduce teenagers to hockey romances - it felt like a hallmark movie☺️
(Thank you NetGalley for the ARC🫶🏼 ily)

[Dawn aka wolfinbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Marissa is my best friend, the only daughter of my mentor, father figure, and coach. No one is more off-limits than her.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is the first installment of the New York Raptors series and I can’t wait for more! I loved that characters from the One More Chapter series were interspersed throughout (my very favorite series)! All Marion’s books are standalone but you will want them all!

I loved Marissa’s surprise birthday trip to the bookstore and how she got to pick out books in under two minutes…you have to read this to get the awesome details! It definitely got added to my list of fun things to do! I could go on and on gushing of all the goodness in this novel!

Marissa & Aaron, are best friends, both have unspoken feelings for each other but have never wanted to chance ruining their friendship. He plays hockey for the NHL and she owns a coffee shop….and they’re also roommates!!!! The storyline will hook you from the beginning and you won’t be able to put it down!!! Sooo good! Extended epilogue…squeeee worthy!!!
Stick to Me comes out April 1!!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from author. Review is based on my thoughts and opinions.

[Rebecca Gauger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love hockey romances so much, and this was no exception. I had so much fun with this! It was quick and easy to get through, but didn't feel rushed at all. The story really sucks you in with the perfect balance of hockey and romance. The characters are super likeable and I loved the banter between them. I also loved that both of the MC's are book lovers!
This was an ARC from Netgalley, given in exchange for an honest review. So glad I got to review this!!

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was absolutely delightful! I have come to realize that friends to more is definitely a favorite trope of mine.

Aaron and Marissa had been best friends since they were kids and Aaron was also pretty much like a son to his hockey coach, who was also Marissa’s father. I loved the way Aaron and Marissa spent time together as roommates and simply the way they interacted with each other whenever they were together! Even as friends, it was clear that they were each other’s favorite person in the world. Yet, they both had hang ups that kept them from believing that there was any hope for them to ever be more than friends.

However, when the moment came that true feelings were revealed…well, it was one of the best reveals I have ever read! It was so perfect and was such a beautiful moment between them.

This sweet, clean, closed door romcom is the first book in the New York Raptors series and is also connected to the One More Chapter series. You can pick any of these books up and read them as stand alone novels, too.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but also purchased my own copy.

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much fun! Friends to lovers always makes me smile and super happy! I was so pleased with the way it all came together! Put Aaron on my list of kind and adorable hockey players! Loved it!

I had this in NetGalley and also got a signed copy from Marion! Yay!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you @bookedwiththeemilys for the gifted copy of “Stick To Me” by Marion De Ré.

This is a fun, light, closed-door romance about professional hockey player Aaron Miles and his best friend Marissa Martin. Aaron and Marissa have been best friends since the sixth grade and are now in their late 20s, living together as roommates.

Aaron always considered Marissa off-limits because his coach happens to be her father! Marissa always considered Aaron off-limits because he has a father-son relationship with her dad. He also rejected her in high school, so why would he have feelings for her now? Little do they know, they are secretly pining for each other and are determined not to ruin their long-lasting friendship by acting on their emotions.

The friends-to-lovers trope is well written, and Aaron and Marissa are lovable main characters. It’s no surprise that I was rooting for them to act on their feelings throughout the book. Their relationship as best friends is adorable and they have so much chemistry. My favorite moments were the small, wholesome ones that define their friendship: when Aaron cooks Marissa meals or when Marissa texts Aaron play-by-play commentary of his hockey games.

I also really enjoyed the supporting characters a lot. Aaron’s hockey teammates and Marissa’s friends bring additional humor and warmth to the story. I love the whole group dynamic and would like to see more of these characters in future books in this series.

In terms of the writing style, I was disappointed with the pacing for most of the story. There are a lot of short scenes and the story moves very quickly. One minute, Aaron is getting ready for a hockey game, and the next minute, he is reflecting on the game, with no description of what took place on the ice. I personally would have connected to the story more if certain scenes were explored more in depth.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to @marionderewrites for the free #gifted copy of this book! All opinions are my own.

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Stick To Me
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫:Marion De Ré
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: New York Raptors, Book 1
𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬: 304

𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: New York
𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: Aaron is a defense player on the New York Raptors. He was abandoned at birth and found his family with his hockey coach and his daughter Marissa. They grew up being best of friends not knowing they were both in love with each other. Now as adults, they are roommates still harboring these feelings. Marissa is co-owner of Rise N’ Grind, a local coffee shop near their apartment. These two are truly made for each other but both seem to be afraid to confess their true feelings.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐡𝐚𝐬:
Sports Romance - Hockey
Best Friends to Lovers
Coach’s Daughter
Roommates/Forced Proximity
Slow burn
Found Family
Closed Door Romance
Dual POV

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝:
• Loved the quotes at the beginning of each chapter
• Absolutely LOVED the cover
• LOVED that there wasn't a 3rd act break-up!
•The charity auction - I wish that Marissa had kept bidding!
• Marissa’s surprise birthday book haul!
• The time capsule!
• Coach’s reaction to their relationship
• These MC’s are just perfect together!!! I really wish they had come clean about their feelings sooner!!!

𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: This story was so good! I really love seeing all of our friends from the One More Chapter series! I did get confused a little when alternating from first name to last name…I do look forward to getting to know all of the team members in their books! Hockey Romance is my FAVORITE sports trope! While I do love a good slow burn, this book to me was a little too slow. I was rooting for this couple from the get go and I wanted to have more time with them together as a couple. It was definitely worth the wait! I am so excited to read more books from this series!

[Cassondra Perea · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Stick to Me by Marion De Ré officially kicks off her clean/ closed door hockey romance series, the New York Raptors. While the professional hockey team was first introduced in her previous books (the One More Chapter Series), this series will focuses solely on hockey. In fact, fans of the Raptors will be delighted to learn that De Ré already has a handful of books in the works. Each book will feature a different member of the professional team (many of which we have already met and fallen in love with).

I applaud De Ré’s decision to kick start the series with Marissa Martin and Aaron Miles. Their journey from friends-to-more is one of the most wholesome love stories I have had the pleasure of reading. It features just about every popular trope; from coach’s daughter, forced proximity, found family, to witty banter. These elements are fan favorites for a reason. If you enjoy this sub-genre, you are guaranteed to enjoy this book!

Standout Moments:
- Surprise Birthday Celebrations
-2 Minute Bookstore Challenge
-High School Reunion
-Time Capsule
-Ideal HEA
-Bonus Epilogue

Special thanks to Netgalley, Victoria Editing, and Marion De Ré for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

* Friends-to-more is my all time favorite trope. While I am a a huge sucker for this trope, everything hinges on whether or not the miscommunication element is done properly. De Ré managed to find the perfect balance!

** It should be obvious that I am slightly obsessed with Marissa and Miles. This book was everything I want and more in a clean/ closed door hockey romance. I cannot wait to continue on with this series and fall equally in love with the rest of the Raptors and their women.

[IaMeganF aka Booksinthebackseat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I absolutely adored Marissa and Aaron. Like, from the very first page I was rooting for them with my whole heart. They were so cute and sweet together — the kind of couple that just makes sense — and you could feel the love and respect between them in every single scene. It made my hopeless romantic heart so, so happy.

Aaron? He’s literally the definition of a perfect book boyfriend. Sweet, caring, respectful — and absolutely head over heels for Marissa. And Marissa? Our fierce little hockey girl? Ugh, she’s perfection. Their history, their friendship, the way Aaron is basically part of her family? It just made everything even cuter and more real.

The pacing of the book was spot-on too. Nothing felt rushed — and with all their shared history, and Aaron’s relationship with Marissa’s dad, you needed that slow build to make their romance hit even harder. And trust me…it did.

And don’t even get me started on that quote from Aaron:

“She’s everything to me,” I ramble, feeling tears welling in my eyes. “Everything. And like a coward, I waited fifteen years to tell her that, and now I’m afraid I’ll never get that chance again.”
BRB, SOBBING.

And the one from Marissa:

“If loving Aaron is wrong, I don’t want to be right.”

Also…can we talk about Adler and Beth?? I’m already obsessed. I can feel their chemistry bubbling under the surface and I just KNOW their book is going to be so much fun. I seriously wish I could erase Stick To Me from my mind just so I could experience Aaron and Marissa’s story for the first time all over again.

If you love:
• Hockey romances
• Friends-to-lovers vibes
• Sweet, swoony book boyfriends
• Slow burns that are so worth it
then you need this book in your life immediately.

Marion De Ré, you’ve got me hooked — and I’m already counting down to the next one!

[Jodi Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when authors give you hints of their other stories in your current read. When I first read about Aaron and Marissa in The Fake Script, I was immediately intrigued and knew I needed to read their story when it came out. Well, I am thrilled to say that Aaron and Marissa’s story, Stick To Me, was everything I was hoping for and more. Stick to Me has Marion De Ré’s signature banter, humor, and heart. It is so good.

The book focused on Aaron and Marissa who have been best friends since sixth grade. They have also both been secretly in love with each other almost as long. Unfortunately, they are only friends. Now as adults, they are roommates and Aaron is playing professional hockey. To complicate things even more, Marisa’s father is Aaron’s coach. As Aaron and Marissa continue to try to fight their feelings for one another, things starts to slowly change…

Best friends to more can be tricky trope to do well, and this book is a beautiful example of it done well. I loved how the reasons for Aaron or Marissa not expressing their feelings to each other was so nuanced and real. Aaron had so much to lose, much more than just a best friend. I loved how the author handled their relationship.

Aaron was such a good guy, a perfect cinnamon roll. I loved how he treated Marissa and how much respect he showed to her. His relationship with Marissa’s dad was so sweet. He was so humble and grateful. It was so sweet to see.

Marissa was fabulous. I was rooting for her from the beginning. Her internal dialogue was so funny and relatable, especially her thoughts on Aaron’s tendency to walk around their apartment shirtless.

Things I loved:
-Aaron cooking for Marissa
-Aaron’s surprise birthday celebration for Marissa
-All the New York Raptors
-Marissa’s friends
-opening the time capsule
-secret dating
-all the banter and swoon

I loved every minute of reading this sweet book. The ending was so satisfying and put a smile on my face. Stick To Me is the first book in Marion De Ré’s New York Raptors series, and I am already so excited to read book two.