Overtime

by Tracey Richardson

Sarah Brennan is a hockey player in the new professional women's league, but it's her mind she wants to exercise when she enrolls in a university class on Irish literature.

Professor Claire Joyce is no fan of pro athletes, especially after a failed marriage to one. Unfortunately her ten-year-old daughter adores hockey, and her idol happens to be none other than Sarah Brennan.

Falling in love with someone who barely tolerates sports and athletes finally forces Sarah, at thirty-six, to admit that her career is in overtime, and to consider what life might look like after hockey. And it might just look like a life with Claire and her funny, amazing kid . . . if only Claire will let her guard down and follow her heart.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Lesbian, Queer, Sports, LGBT, Hockey

1 pages, Audio CD

Published March 18, 2025

About the author

I'm the author of several lesbian romance novels published by Bella Books, including the Lambda Literary Award finalists "Last Salute" and "No Rules of Engagement". I'm a voracious reader, even more so now that I've retired from a 27-year career as a daily newspaper journalist.

Reviews

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ This is a story about Claire who is a professor at a college in Toronto. She’s divorced from Matt and has a ten year old daughter Maddie. Sarah is a professional women’s soccer player playing for Toronto.

This book has a mature theme, it’s an age gap and slow burn story. I liked Sarah a lot, she seemed to have her head on straight and was the more upfront of the two MCs. Claire suffers from years of feeling unloved from her parents and her ex. She can’t seem to move forward no matter what advice her friends offer.

I liked the sports themed background and Sarah’s relationship with Maddie. I’m big fan of Tracey Richardson and look forward to reading more of her books in the future.

Thanks to Bella Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

[JulesGP · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a big sports fan so always on the look out for sapphic stories that have an athlete as a main character. Sarah is a professional hockey player who decides to take an Irish Lit class in her spare time. Her professor, Claire, is hot but off limits for various reasons. But the couple have good chemistry so it’s tough for them to say no.

I listened to the audiobook and Lori Prince excelled. The characters are in their late 30’s which is refreshing. There’s plenty of hockey for the fans but not so much that non sports readers would give up. The book definitely focuses on the relationship. I also thought the author did a good job of showing the wrinkle of being single and dating when you have a young child in the mix. Overall, the story is solid and entertaining. I would recommend

[MJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. I’m not the biggest sports fan irl but I do love a sports romance book. And it’s always nice to find more sapphic ones. It was a really nice story. I tandem read with audio. Lori Prince did an amazing job as always, even giving the Irish accent a great go! (Definitely better than I could do 😂)

Written in Third Person with 2x POV’s. Narrated by Lori Prince. Hockey Player/Professor, Opposites Attract, Single Mum, Bi Rep, Found Family, Slow Burn. 1x Spicy Scene.

[Misha · Rating 3 out of 5]

(rounded up from 2.5)

This was fine, if a bit dull in the first 75% and then we get to the actual conflict. I think my main issue was that we skip so many things in between chapters so it feels like a highlight reel more than a narrative. To add to this, we have a very odd stance where the side characters are telling Claire that she's wrong for not wanting to have a long-distance relationship with someone who will be in Boston most of the year while her own career and her kid's schooling and her ex-husband as a co-parent are in Toronto. It seems a reasonable boundary to draw after two dates, no matter how much you like someone, it's still not a serious relationship and it's absolutely out of the question for Claire to move her whole life and her kid's life. Very odd that this was the message hammered home but otherwise fine if a bit bland in terms of the story.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I may have liked this more if I hadn't listened to the audiobook. Lori Prince is hit or miss with me as an audiobook performer, but the "Irish" accent was horrendous. Laughably bad. But even with the bad accent, this is a fairly middle-of-the-road book. It's cute enough. There's certainly tension enough. But there are some odd storytelling choices here, like the random encounter with Claire's childhood friend turned priest or the entire storyline with her parents. The Ireland chapters took up way too much real estate--so much so that I don't get the payoff with Claire's daughter in the end. Also, Claire Joyce as the name of an Irish Literature Professor was a choice--and not a good one. And I really do not like that cover.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a 5 star read up until the 95% mark. The end of the book didn’t seem to flow with the rest.

[currentlyreadingbynat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overtime is a sweet, slow-burn romance that pairs a thoughtful professional hockey player with a sharp-witted literature professor, and it delivers all the cozy, low-angst charm the cute cover promises. Sarah, a seasoned athlete and Olympic medalist, unexpectedly finds herself drawn to Claire, her Irish lit professor and a divorced mum to a ten-year-old fan. Their relationship develops gradually but sincerely, and the moments they share—especially involving Claire’s daughter—are some of the book’s most tender and engaging.

Their career differences are thoughtfully explored, particularly Claire’s hesitations about dating another athlete after her failed marriage to a professional footballer. I appreciated the mature tone throughout—these are grown women navigating complex emotions, careers, and co-parenting in a refreshingly drama-free way. There’s also a strong emphasis on consent, boundaries, and professional integrity, which I really respected, especially in how they handle the professor-student dynamic.

While the romance is heartfelt, I did wish for a bit more heat and emotional depth to really elevate their chemistry. And though the long-distance conflict felt a touch rushed considering how early it appeared in their relationship, it didn’t take away from the overall warmth of the story. It’s a lovely, character-driven read that fans of mature, sports-themed romances will enjoy—especially if you're in the mood for something comforting and genuine.

Many thanks to Bella Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Interesting story with MCs, Sarah and Claire, who are in their 30s and 40s respectively. Nicely paced though the conclusion seem to be somewhat abrupt. An epilogue would have been a wonderful addition, allowing us, readers, to reflect on their journeys and what happens next after all the heartfelt declarations.

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank the publisher for letting me read this book

sarah is an all star hockey player top of her game but she also has a love of literature and is taking a class in irish literature

the only stumbling block is that the professor.... professor claire joyce isnt impressed with her lateness and the fact that she is a hockey player.... a top elite hockey player

but what sarah doesnt know is that claire daughter is her biggest fan and has a poster of her on her bedroom wall.....

its an interesting read as sarah navigates her hockey season with getting to know claire and her daughter....

i love how this author manages to get you invested in the characters and how easy it was envision it all...

cant wait to read the next book by this author

[Shelbz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a hard time trying to really care about the relationship between the two main characters, I didn’t really feel the chemistry between Claire and Sarah.

I also found the pacing was rough at times, it felt like it jumped around too much and was hard to gauge how much time had passed between scenes.

What I did like is that it addressed how Claire’s parents and her experiences growing up impact her own relationships in adulthood, although I don’t think Claire was wrong for having her concerns over Sarah and her career, especially so early on in their relationship.

While I struggled to care about the relationship between Claire and Sarah, individually I really enjoyed getting to know them and all the side characters, especially Claire’s daughter.

Also as a Canadian I really enjoyed that the setting was based mainly in Toronto.

[Siddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah is a top professional ice hockey athlete in Toronto, and captain of the national team. She worked her way up to being top of her game over many years, but now she is feeling her age and pushes from her mind the fact that there is life after hockey. However, she is not a dumb jock, having a degree in mathematics and also literature.
Claire is an ultra serious professor of Irish literature at the university in Toronto. Since her divorce from her husband Matt six years prior, she has put her whole life into her job and their young daughter Maddie. Matt had been a professional football player, and because of the insecurity and the impact his career had had on their lives and marriage, Claire has resolved to never fall for an athlete again.
When Sarah joins Claire’s Irish Literature class to try to keep her mind working, they clash in the worst way. Claire’s daughter Maddie is just getting into hockey, and her crush player is Sarah, but Claire keeps hush that she is Sarah’s professor.
This is an exploration of trust and of fear. Sarah is in denial that her career may soon end, and she is frightened and has no idea what is next for her. Claire is still upset at the way her marriage ended, and Matt being more married to football than to her. She is angry the way her parents took Matt’s side and didn’t support her. As a result even though both women feel a lot for each other, Claire really can’t look past the fact that Sarah is an athlete, and so won’t seriously consider anything between them.
This is a very thoughtful book with some wonderfully deep writing. Not much angst, just lots of introspection.

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it!

Usually I avoid books about athletes, but I read it because of the teacher x student trope. And if you like that trope, I would highly recommend it.

I put this book in my Ice-Queen folder, because I love Claire and I think she definitely belongs there. And Maddie is such a sweet kid.

Even tho I liked the story, I can't give it 5 stars, because the last third of the book I was really pissed with both characters. What was that between the text message of 'needing to see you' and Dublin? There isn't anything wrong with the book or the writing style, I was just so exasperated by the characters actions.

Maddie hanging up Sarah's poster was so hilarious.

tags: athlete, teacherxstudent, single mom

[Chelsea Pitsos · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Fiona Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before one can let go and truly move forward from a painful past you have to go back in time and deal with past hurts and learn to forgive. Otherwise, those hurts can just end up holding you back from truly moving forward. This is beautifully shown this wonderful story by Tracey Richardson where we meet Divorcee and mother, Professor Claire Joyce, a Professor in Literature and ice-hockey player Sarah Brennan. The chemistry between the two characters is off the chart but Claire is determined that she is never going to start a new relationship with a professional athlete….not after her failed marriage to a professional football player.

Tracey Richardson manages to tease the reader from the get-go with this story as Claire and Sarah are increasingly brought into each other’s orbits. The will they/won’t they tension is palpable. They first when Sarah decides to take a class in Irish Literature which is taught by Claire. Their first meeting is not fortuitous with Sarah arriving late to her first class resulting in a frosty meeting. Then it turns out that Claire absolutely adorable 10-year-old daughter is a massive fan of Sarah and comes home with a poster of Sarah to hang on her bedroom wall. Just what Claire needs, a reminder of that self-absorbed athlete. Before long, they are being drawn into spending more time together through the increasing bond between Sarah and Claire’s daughter. There is so much chemistry between the two women but also so many obstacles, both personal and professional that need to be overcome before there is any hope of the two women finding their happy ever after. And Tracey Richardson is a master at leading the reader through this journey.

Potentially the only disappointment with this book, for me, is that it seemed to end rather abruptly particularly in relation to the turnaround in Claire’s relationship with her parents at the end of the book which almost felt too easy. I also feel it could have done with an epilogue. However, despite these two relatively minor points, I definitely enjoyed the story immensely and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good sports romance with a wonderful dose of found family and scoring the goal that matters most.

I am grateful to Tracey Richardson and Bella Books for providing me with an ARC copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was pretty good in the middle third but the beginning and end left more to be desired.

There just seemed to be a lot going on and there were convenient plot points that fixed a lot of their issues. I thought the scenes of dates in Toronto and taking Claire’s kid to games was really sweet and were my favorite parts. Sneaking away to Montreal or Detroit for games, Sarah’s friendship with her teammates. All of that was compelling story building.

And then just when things finally get going…A trade happens. And then a potentially career-ending injury…. And then a trip to Ireland? It was just a lot for the last 3rd and undid all that world building we as readers had put so much time into. And, the Ireland chapters took up a lot of unnecessary real estate.

And yeah, a no to long-distance dating is a valid boundary to have. Especially after 2 official dates. Especially when you have a young kid. Especially when you’ve been burned before.

And then at the end to decide that actually she’s gonna quit hockey anyway. It makes the entire conflict moot. It’s kinda a bummer. And also way too fast to go from “yeah I guess we’re gonna give this a shot” to immediately want your souvenir claddagh rings to be your engagement rings. That’s just a very rushed “happily ever after” ending.

I appreciated that this was a mature couple, with both women being in their late 30s. But for being so mature their dialogue at points didn’t reflect that. And, their chemistry really could’ve been upped way more.

Overall this is an enjoyable read though and scratched the “hockey romance” itch for sure!

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cute cover fits this very sweet romance. Sarah Brennan is a professional women’s hockey player. At 35, she is a seasoned pro with national records and has played in three Olympics. She already has her degree but for fun takes an Irish literature class at the local university. Claire Joyce is the professor and teaches the class. She is divorced with a ten year old daughter Maddie, who is a big fan of Sarah’s. Claire was married previously to a professional football (soccer) player and can’t see herself centering her life around another athlete.

This is a cute story with minimal angst. Claire has some emotional baggage from how she was raised but it doesn’t stop her from wanting to date Sarah. I love that she has a healthy co-parent relationship with her ex. I appreciate that they don’t risk Claire's career by dating while Sarah is still her student. One of the big conflicts is can the relationship survive long distance. That seems presumptuous after only a couple of dates. But I went with it for the story's sake. I could have used a little more heat in this slow burn romance, but I didn’t doubt their attraction to each other. This is an enjoyable romance and I love that Sarah plays hockey. I’m off to a NHL game tonight so this was a perfect read for today. (Sorry, we only have a men’s team. LOL.) Thank you to Tracey Richardson and Bella Books for the digital copy and I am leaving an honest review.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Brennan is a three time Olympic hockey forward and star of the Toronto women’s hockey team. She is thirty-six years old and while still producing in a high capacity, she is in the final stages of her career. In her downtime she decides to take a class in Irish literature for pleasure. She already has a degree, but takes the course simply because she loves books. Her professor is a by the book woman called Claire Joyce. Sarah gets off on the wrong foot with the professor when she is late to the first class. The book details how Sarah and Claire’s relationship develops and grows over time inside and outside of the classroom, especially when Claire’s ten year old daughter, Maddie, is introduced to the story.

I enjoyed this book and the engaging, human (mistakes and all) main characters. The addition of Maddie made Claire’s character softer and kinder and helped integrate Sarah into their small family. My only complaint was the rushed nature of the latter chapter that dealt with Claire airing her grievances to her parents. It felt incredibly rushed. 4.5 stars

I received an ARC from Bella Books in exchange for an honest review.

[Shannon Luchies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sarah Brennan just wants to take a lit course in her spare time... but the Prof, Claire Joyce, is not impressed by her being late, or that she's a older student. And she's especially not impressed by her being a pro athlete.

However, Claire's daughter Maddie is a huge fan of Sarah's, and even has a poster of her. And her friend Nora thinks Claire should ask her out, once she finishes the course, but Claire's ex was a athlete and she is not doing that again.

However, Sarah finds out Maddie is a fan, and gives the family company tickets to a game, as well as hanging out with the kid. Claire is astonished at how sweet the other woman is, and starts thawing towards her. Once the class finishes they start dating... then Sarah gets traded out of the city and it screeches to a halt.

I kinda felt Sarah having a career ending injury was kinda a cop out. Instead of her having to quit, choosing to stop and be with Claire would have been better. The ending also felt a bit jarring...
3 out of 5 stars. Decent, but didn't blow me away.

[Bee Sherrard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everyone is very excited, finally a professional womens’ league. The powers that be hope this will also make women's hockey to make the same strides as has happened with women’s basketball. Sarah Brennan has been one of the top hockey players and now being in her mid-thirties she looks forward to playing in the new league.
Claire Joyce, professor, doesn't really like hockey but her daughter and ex husband are big fans. It’s not until a new student in her class peaks her interest. Little did she know but this student is none other than Sarah and of course she just happens to be her little girl, Maddie.
So you have one who loves the game and another who hates it. Different women but the attraction…wow. Ms. Richardson knows how to write interesting books but it’s apparent she loves her hockey. Being a Canadian you would think I’d be a big fan but I can’t stand the game. Even so she has given us a book that is a joy to read.
ARC via Bella Books

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really struggled with the pacing of this book. Or rather maybe it felt like there should have been more to the build-up of Claire and Sarah? There seemed to be a lot of time passing between chapters so when they suddenly had their first kiss, it was so sudden and abrupt - I actually had to skim back to make sure I didn't skip anything.

The fact that Claire didn't like being a significant other to a professional athlete felt like too much of a crutch (I'm glad Matt was so blunt and honest with her) and the fact that Sarah had a career-ending injury felt like a copout.

I was honestly expecting this story to go one way (mostly based on the cover) but it just ended up being a lot of angst and MCs being wishy-washy and too stubborn. I love a good opposites attract trope but they way things turned out for Sarah and Claire, by the end I was not convinced that they should end up with each other.

[Billie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the two leads in this one, and the supporting characters were great as well. My issue is with how the central conflict is resolved. I'll try not to get into spoiler territory, but there's a cruel twist of fate that the characters take in stride in a way that struck me as inauthentic. It felt like the author had written herself into a corner, run out of pages, and decided to wrap things up by having the characters act in ways that didn't feel real.

On the other hand, it's an Irish lesbian story (or Irish-Canadian anyway), which I can't help but like. So I dunno.

[Kayleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sarah is an all star hockey player looking to mix things up and takes an Irish literature class where her professor, Claire, could not care less that she's a professional hockey player and makes it easily known how little she cares. But Claire's daughter is obsessed and a friendship sort of happens, which obviously turns into more.
I don't know if I would have liked this better if I enjoyed sports romances, perhaps?

[Kiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

surprisingly emotional but the pacing felt strange. The ending left something to be desired imo, like it couldve used a bit more wrapping up of other parts of the plot. Particularly with regards to Maddie

[Sandi D · Rating 5 out of 5]

compromising for love

Cute book. Claire reluctant to take a chance on love needing to be in control. Sarah professional hockey player unwilling to give up her career for love. The interaction between them was funny and disheartening at times. But love wins.

[Mara · Rating 3 out of 5]

So the premise of the story was great and I do love a romance novel with sports in the mix, but the back and forth didn’t make to much sense for me and it felt rushed a lot of times. Still entertaining

[Rey Hawke · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 Stars

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars! I’m so glad we have finally reached the era of PWHL FF hockey romances. This was cute but a little too much back and forth, will they won’t they for me!

[Kylie Angiel]

Zero stars

[Emily Keene · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing was solid and the "love scenes" tasteful, but because the characters are opposites I would have liked to be given more of a reason for the main characters to be attracted to each other.