Gingerbread and Goalies

by Leah Busboom

Two cute kids, a cranky goalie, and a gingerbread house. What have I gotten myself into?

Joey and me? Let’s just say we have history. And no, it’s not the cute kind. We orbit in the same sphere of friends, so avoiding him is like trying to dodge a Zamboni in a hallway. At best we’re frenemies, but nothing more. When Joey’s sweet nephew asks me to help build a gingerbread house for a contest at his school, I’m all in. Baking for a competition? Who can resist? Hopefully his handsome uncle and I can set aside our differences for the sake of the contest.

I thought I would skate through my senior year, play for the Golden Stars, and get drafted into the NHL. But when I get to know the beautiful baker better, I realize there’s more to life than hockey. Will she ever see me as more than a thorn in her side, or am I stuck in the frenemy zone like a goalie with no stick?

There’s a fine line between love and hate. Will Emma and Joey skate over that line?

Gingerbread and Goalies is Book 3 in the new Golden Stars Hockey Rom Com series. This short and sweet romantic comedy is filled with a delightful blend of hockey, romance, and humor and is a perfect lighthearted read for the beach, a cozy Sunday afternoon, or after the kids go to bed. There's lots of snappy banter, swoony kisses, and laugh-out-loud scenes, but all are “kisses only” romances with a guaranteed HEA.

149 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 4, 2025

About the author

Leah Busboom wanted to become an author since the day she learned how to read! She specializes in the Romance genre because she loves a good story with a happy ending. Her books are known for their heartwarming stories; intriguing characters and hilarious real life situations that will make you want to laugh out loud.

Leah currently lives in Colorado with her wonderful husband, her "Blue Bomber" bicycle and a hundred bunny rabbits that roam free in the neighborhood.

Reviews

[Bookcorner_talk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet and quick read. It’s book 3 in the series and was it ever so sweet. Emma and Joey don’t see eye to eye but when Joey volunteers to watch his sister’s kids while she goes out of town for work, Emma begins to see a different side to him. She comes by with some cupcakes for the kids from her bakery and agrees to help Scott, Joey’s nephew win the gingerbread house competition at school. Such a feel good story and I rate it 4 stars. Great way to start the month of March!

[Christi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Golden Star Hockey series continues with Gingerbread and Goalies, a novel that I have been eagerly anticipating.

While this was a darling novel that has its fair share of endearing moments, I didn’t feel the sparks between Joey and Emma that I had anticipated. After what happened between them in the last novel, I was expecting a lot more venom between them, and while there was a taste at the start, it quickly fizzled out, which was disappointing. I know having the kids in the mix has them both playing nice, but like a sugary treat that’s missing a little something, I wish there would’ve been a little more fire.

All the scenes with the kids, particularly the birthday scene, were hands down my favorites. Katie reminded me so much of one of my nieces, and I couldn’t help but adore her. She’s so precocious, and her brother was just as charming and easily won my heart.

The storyline is very cute, the sugary sweet ending was predictable yet delightful, and now I can’t stop thinking about gingerbread. I’ve never put a real gingerbread house together before, but after reading Gingerbread and Goalies, I’m ready to give it a shot.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hockey and baking do not seem to go together, and neither do Emma and Joey. Emma is a baker extraordinaire and Joey is a hockey player waiting for his big break to get into the NHL. Let's just say these two tolerate each other. They have a lot of the same friends, so they cannot avoid one another, but they most assuredly butt heads. Frenemies is being generous.

Joey is keeping his sister's children while she travels. When Emma sees Uncle Joey in action, she sees a different side of the grumpy, hulking hockey player. When his nephew asks if she can help him win the gingerbread contest, she is toast. Both Emma and Joey know they will have to put their differences aside for the good of the children. What they don't expect is to find more common ground than they ever realized they had with one another.

This short, sweet novella was delightful with some laugh out loud scenes, banter that is priceless and a brewing romance that will have you rooting for the duo.

Thank you to Booksprout and the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Angie (mushmysteriesandmore) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this cute novella, the third in the Golden Stars Hockey Rom Com series. I haven’t read the first, but I did read the second, which was really fun. It was nice to see the characters show up again and have a say in the plot.

However, this was Joey and Emma’s story. We met them briefly at the end of the second book, having a food fight in a kitchen, but this time they need to team up in a kitchen once more, for the sake of Joey’s niece and nephew and build a Gingerbread house.

Joey is looking after the children for his sister and is out of his depth. Emma calls round with some baked goods and is suddenly roped into helping them. The banter between Joey and Emma was great, but the best moment came when she got sick and he took care of her. But then he got sick afterwards and she returned the favour, taking care of him in return. So cute!

So we have a minor third act break up, but it’s resolved pretty fast and ever so sweetly. The two kids were shining stars of the tale, the older boy, Scott, was snarky and typically easily embarrassed by his little sister Katie, who was the sweetest little girl with a unique dress sense and innocent air to her.
All in all, a great story and even a sneak into the next couple to get the Golden Star treatment.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was so much fun! An enemies to lovers pair that, once again, proved hate isn’t the opposite of love. Joey and Emma just needed a little push to get them past the initial misunderstandings that set them at each other’s throats. Enter Joey’s precocious niece and nephew and a last-minute gingerbread contest. The sugary shenanigans kept me giggling throughout the whole book, and I kind of hate that it’s over already because I desperately want to know what other trouble those kids could get their uncle and “aunt” into next.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book through Booksprout.

[W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Building gingerbread homes & HEAs

Joey is the third member of the Arcadia University hockey team to find his person at Mia's bakery. He and Mia have been at loggerheads since they met. I truly liked the way Mia stepped up to rescue Joey from being overwhelmed by his sister's kids and their hope to enter a gingerbread house contest. They start seeing the person behind the social mask, and they find they like what they see. It was so great to see them begin to want the other's dream as much as their own. Their HEA was so richly deserved.

I received a free advance copy of this story from Booksprout and voluntarily chose to share my review.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joey turned out to be a character I wasn't expecting - he was so much better! He is SUCH a sweetie, and definitely the type of man Emma needs.

I was looking forward to Mia getting her HEA, and Gingerbread and Goalies does not disappoint on the HEA front!

Scott and Katie are SO cute, and add a lot to the story, and I believe are the magnets that brought Joey and Emma together in a way they never would have connected otherwise - and it was the connection they needed for their HEA.

So many fun scenes, and a truly fun read...

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in this series and again its a brilliantly written story. Emma and Joey have always been frenemies and neither seem to mind. When Emma is tasked helping build a gingerbread house it throws the two together. Will it all blow up. Will they actually be able to work together. I must admit I loved the charm the children bring to the story. Between the bickering and angst will the couple finally become friends or is there a chance of a hea. Like all of Leah's books this is another easy to read book that you won't regret reading

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joey certainly had his hand full caring for his rambunctious nephew and niece while his sister was away. Even though he has rubbed Emma the wrong way they had her at helping them build a winning gingerbread house. But is that the only reason Joey is suddenly nice to her? I think he went above and beyond caring for her when she had the flu. But he does have miscommunication issues which adds to their romance drama. I liked how they incorporated both the kids inputs on the house. It was nice to catch up with their friends in this kisses only enemies to lovers romance.

[Ineta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 of Golden Stars Hockey Series is a cute, sweet hockey romance. Funny and quick read. Emma and Joey are frenemies in their friend group when unexpected attraction happens and they are fallen over skates in love.
Very funny and humorous reading - loved all those funny episodes - like non birthday birthday, fairy houses etc. Did it just need couple of kids in picture to open their feelings?
Loved the language and humor, perfect story-line. Enjoyed it!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome story from this author. It's fun and fast paced, has laugh out loud moments and some of the best romantic moments ever. This is a feel good story from beginning to end and I love Joey and Emma. And Joey's niece and nephew are adorable. This was a once I started it I could not put it down read. It gives you feel good vibes throughout the whole story because you know Joey and Emma will make it work. I loved it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[PollyAnna Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joey and Emma have been frenemies in their friend group for quite a while. Oddly enough, their friends notice their attraction to one another, but they're clueless....until...Throwing in a couple if kids (Joey's nephew and niece) is an interesting plot twist to bring the frenemies together. And fun.

I'm a tad disappointed in Gingerbread and Goalies. The conflict Joey and Emma have to overcome isn't angsty enough for my tastes. The solution to their is so easily overcome. I don't FEEL the desperation either has over the possible loss of their relationship. I love the story; don't get me wrong. It just needs more angsty desperation.

[Denice · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute hockey rom-com. Joey, a hockey player and Emma, a baker, are frenemies, who can never agree or get along. But they are basically forced to work together to help Joey’s niece and nephew make a gingerbread house. This togetherness helps them to realize that they do like each other and their banter changes, they are sweet and swoony. This is a fun quick read that is just delightful and might make you want gingerbread cookies.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gingerbread and Goalies is a clean, enemies to more romance. Warning: you can expect to crave baked goods! I cannot imagine the time and effort Emma put into making sure the gingerbread and icing were correct for the best gingerbread house! It was neat how they incorporated both Katie’s fairy and Scott’s hockey sticks in the finished house. As Emma and Joey help the children build the house, they, too, begin to bond. This well written book was so cute that I could not put it down. I want more!

[Lori R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun, romcom story. I enjoyed the enemies to lovers trope. I really liked Emma, the baker helping Joey, who plays hockey for the Golden Stars. They were trying to make a gingerbread house for his nephew's school contest.  The book was funny, had great characters, and was filled with romance.  Many of Joey's antics made me laugh.  I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[Cyndi Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was short and quick. There were a couple places were the pace shot forward. But given that this is a hockey romance (and I generally don't read sports romances) and I enjoyed it, it was good. I kinda want to read about the other people and couples in their friendship circle now. I liked the writing of this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Liberty Munson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joey and Emma are frenemies. They have to get along because their friends are in relationships. However, they become friends as part of a gingerbread house competition that Joey's nephew is in. Joey makes mistakes and Emma assumes the relationship can't work because he will be drafted in the NHL and she loves her bakery (and is unwilling to leave). Despite the bumps, they get their HEA.

An enjoyable low spice, enemies to lovers story.

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my voluntary review of a copy I was given.

This is a frenemies to sweethearts story. Joey is under stress, and Emma agrees to help his nephew with a project. Their forced proximity allows them to see a side of each other that they usually don't.

Suddenly, neither is looking bad to the other, and then they kiss.

[Tanvi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a delightful, sweet, enemies to lovers romance. I had read Book 2 of the series so I was aware of the characters and theta helped me like it even more.

The book is well written and I liked both the main characters, though I wished the book was a little longer for the enemies to lovers to actually happen.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another delightful hockey rom com by Leah Busboom. Wonderful characters from previous books join new characters and the fun continues. You’ll find baking, hockey, kids, a gingerbread house contest and witty conversations which make for an enjoyable read. I can easily recommend this book and series.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loving this sweet hockey series. Trope- enemies to lovers. Well, initial dislike and bickering within their shared social circle.Working on a project involving Joey's niece and nephew and gingerbread bring Joey and Emma together.
Cute and fun with humorous dialogues. Joey's niece really steals the show! I couldn't stop laughing.

[Barbara Tobey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming sweet romance. The two children add the charm. The couple and their friends are enjoyable. A lighthearted, easy to read story. Thanks to Booksprout for providing a copy. My review is voluntary.

[Tami Willard · Rating 4 out of 5]

She has made a success of her bakery. Falling for one of the college hockey players isn't planned but when her ex asks her for a favor she can't refuse. Add in two kids and things get complicated fast.

[Lina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the characters in this book was fun. The kids make a big part of the story. It was a fast easy read. I wish it had been a bit longer with a bit more details.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rebecca White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable

Loved them building the gingerbread house meeting needing to add hockey sticks and fairies. The niece and nephew were absolutely adorable and a great way to get them together.

[Lorie Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

a sweet read a bakery who becomes friends with a hockey player an his niece an nephew will she help build a gingerbread house with them this is a clean read i enjoyed could be read read in one day i think you will enjoy this book to.

[The Swoony Awards]

This book has been nominated for a 2025 Swoony Award, to vote for it click here: Swoony Awards.

[Paige Pearson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and short. I liked that the author let the kids be normal kids and not overly precosious or brats like so many fictional children.