In the Crease

Connecticut Commodores #3

by Skye McDonald

A Hockey (Backup) Goalie Romance with Cinderella Vibes
He was the cute guy ordering a cherry popper at the open bar. How could I have known he was my favorite team’s backup goalie? Now I’ve got a mess on my hands.

NICA:
I never thought I’d be a loudmouthed influencer who fangirled over her favorite hockey goalie.

I definitely never thought I’d get an invitation to his wedding.

But I probably definitely should’ve thought twice before making out with the cute stranger I met there. How was I to know he was the team’s backup goalie??

RYAN:

My role with the Connecticut Commodores was clear: support the guys, track our data, and be ready to play anytime the starting goalie needed a break.

Suddenly, I’m the starting goalie. I’ve got a team to carry, imposter syndrome to battle…

And a certain social media influencer under my skin.

You’ll love this book if you’re into quirky goalies, hockey, Corgis, and lots of sizzle. This is the third book in a professional hockey romance series but reads as a standalone.

Tropes & Themes:
Cinderella story (rich/poor)
Secrets
Imposter Syndrome
Instant Attraction
Anonymous Hookup/ Mistaken Identity

Genres: Sports, Hockey, Hockey Romance, Romance

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2025

About the author

Skye McDonald is a wellness coach, blogger, and contemporary romance novelist. She believes in the power of falling in love with oneself as the real path to a happily ever after. Her books and coaching draw on her own life experiences. Her novels are sure to make you laugh, cry, and swoon.

Skye's first novel, *Not Suitable for Work*, won the Linda Howard Award for Romance in 2019. Her co-authored Unlikely Pairings series (written with Sarah Smith) have been Amazon bestsellers and #1 New Releases. Skye shares her thoughts on living life with an open heart in her "A Bit Much" Substack.

Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Skye now lives and works in Montclair, New Jersey. In her free time, she hikes with her dogs, runs Spartan races, travels, Scuba dives, and is learning to ski. Someday she’ll chill out, preferably on a beach. But not yet. There’s so much life to live first.

Reviews

[Kimberley · Rating 4 out of 5]

More 4 1/2 🌟 This was more than a hockey romance it is the instant connection the two main characters have. It’s also their growth, their acceptance of themselves all while finding out what they both truly want. Nica a social media influencer and Ryan a hockey goalie have the cutest meet cute and their journey together was a joy to read. I thoroughly enjoyed this one! I received a complementary copy through Book Sprout.

[Melinda Swaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book!!!

I absolutely loved this book… A top read of the year for me. The story of Nica and Ryan was so good. It was steamy, and passionate with plenty of chemistry and a storyline that will keep you reading. I really look forward to what this author has to come. Loved it. Happy reading

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant book this is. It is the third in a series, but I haven't read the previous and don't feel I missed anything. Nica has become an influencer by accident starting a page dedicated to her idol Quentin Paris the goalie for the Connecticut Commodores. This all started as a joke pretending to be Mrs. Paris, but two years on and attending his wedding reception she felt like a stalker. But this paid her bills and gave her independence even though she was being fake and it was all a persona. Other than her brother nobody knew the real Nica. Ryan enjoyed being the backup goalie, he liked to study and tell the players things to improve their plays. He was not into the while public image, but he knew its part of the job. When he meets the gorgeous woman at the reception then again in the hotel he makes his move. But being rejected doesn't sit right. When he ends up having to play due to Quentin's injury, he's suddenly pushed into the limelight and then having to work with someone on an interview. No just No not her. Thus starts the process of working with the enemy, except he liked her more than dislike, how was this going to work. The chemistry is of the chart between these two. But can Ryan crack the walls Nica has built and finally find who she is under the filters. This shows the pitfalls of the keyboard warriors and the name and shaming that come with being seen with a celebrity. I loved everything about this story the star wars reference and Henrik is so adorable. I can't wait for more from this series

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fabulous story! From their intense connection in their meet cute, through their fumbling through learning how to open up and trust, through finding that special someone that just makes the world right.

Nica has been through, and is dealing with a LOT! Don't even let me get started on Bruce! That man needs to have some kind of ancient curse cast on him! And yet, she allows the space she needs to continue to grow as a person, and doesn't try to hang onto something that could hurt her going forward. I really appreciate her character, and believe I have a lot I can learn from her.

And Ryan is such a sweety! I think I have a Goalie Crush thing, similar to Nica, because Ryan has SO many of the qualities I love seeing in a hockey book boyfriend. :) Protective, kind, encouraging. Some of his character growth was hard to read as well, but I love where he ended up!

A fun read, with lots of laughs, and yet plenty of emotional moments to touch the heart and trigger the tears, as well as intense and fun moments of passion to keep you interested. ;).

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

[Jenifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of all the couples I've read from Skye, I have to say that Ryan and Nica are my fave. Their story swept me off my feet and had me feeling so many emotions. I laughed and cried. I cheered, especially on Christmas when they arrived back at his house and Nica didn't stand down. I swooned (so many times) but my fave swoon was over the thirst video that they made in the locker room gym. Holy smokes that was hot. It may have led me to watching some tik-tok videos that were the inspiration for that scene (for quite a while). I cried at the third act breakup, knowing that it wasn't their end but having my heart break for them all the same. And I was thankful over the way that Skye wrote the third act breakup so that it wasn't as horrific as it could have been. And then I smiled a big goofy grin at the happily ever after ending that was just absolutely perfect for these two.

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

[Gavin Sessions · Rating 5 out of 5]

📖✨ In the Crease by Skye McDonald ✨🏒

Nica + Ryan had me hooked from the start. Their banter, their chemistry, their fire it was everything. But what made me really love them was how they both struggled with imposter syndrome in different ways. Nica hides behind her bold, outspoken persona, and Ryan doubts if he truly belongs in the spotlight as goalie. Watching them face those insecurities together made their love story so much more powerful. 💙

I was SO sad when Ryan got traded 😭 … but when Nica showed up, basically telling him “wherever you go, I go” my heart melted. And then the wedding?! Absolute perfection. 💍

This book gives you hockey, steam, heart, and two characters who prove that love means finding someone who sees your worth even when you can’t.

⭐ 5/5 stars
🔥 Steamy + heartfelt

#InTheCrease #SkyeMcDonald #NicaAndRyan #HockeyRomance #SportsRomance #BookReview #RomanceReaders

[Brandy Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book!!! Nica and Ryan have an amazing connection starting with their meet cute. There was so much passion between these two and their chemistry fantastic. The storyline is great and I really enjoyed the character development. This hockey romance is steamy and emotional. Loved it and highly recommend!!.

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

[Cottage_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a fresh take on a hockey romance.

Both MC were well developed, with good chemistry and character arcs. The MMC's neediness just made me love him more.

I definitely recommend this book if you love sports romances.

Thank you Booksprout for the ARC.

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

[Dewey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good story. This author creates different settings and plots which I appreciate. Also very good characters. The title of this book should have been "This is this". I didn't need the final sex scene (after so many similar ones). I want emotional connection at the end of these stories, not another detailed sex scene.

[PollyAnna Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryan & Nica

Our stupid, stupid feelings of 'imposter syndrome." *sigh* They get us in so much trouble. I feel every bit of Ryan's and Nica's fall into feelings of inadequacy that make them doubt one another and themselves... Even though they both know in their knowledge that THIS IS THIS.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book.
I loved how really some of their feelings and how they explained imposter syndrome.
I loved how trying to keep somebody safe ended up hurting them without meaning it.
I loved the smut. I loved the happy ending.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet hockey romance, had some spice as well. Found the story unique. Didn't read the other books in the series but that was fine. Enjoyed the characters and definitely shed some tears at the end but liked the ending!

[Lori Flemming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hockey fan girl and lonely goalie

A brilliant hockey goalie Walla into a bar ....ooh that's not really the way it goes , hot boy finds girl , and the rest is history . Fun characters , kind of crazy situations that all lead to a happily ever after !

[Ayezu Tamarapreye Okoko · Rating 4 out of 5]

A romance fiction about Nica, a social media content creator and her experience at her fri3nd Audrey's wedding as well as working for herself

[NoodleSkadoodle · Rating 4 out of 5]

ah, the power of "here's my credit card, go buy whatever you need", my favorite romance book fantasy as a financially struggling woman, lol. 🥲🥲