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Cedar Rapids Raccoons #8
Dump and Chase
When rock-bottom meets unexpected hope, sparks fly.
Gabriela de la Pena—newly divorced, battle-worn single mom of four—never expected to find healing in the arms of a rugged, 15 years her junior, college hockey coach. One impulsive afternoon at a local bar, a sympathetic bartender, and a chance encounter at an Air B&B turn her world upside down.
Currently out-of-work hockey coach Hunter Vaughn knows hockey strategy, he knows how to teach the game, but he's about to learn the most important lesson of all: sometimes love arrives when you least expect it, and healing can look nothing like you imagined.
Gabriela de la Pena—newly divorced, battle-worn single mom of four—never expected to find healing in the arms of a rugged, 15 years her junior, college hockey coach. One impulsive afternoon at a local bar, a sympathetic bartender, and a chance encounter at an Air B&B turn her world upside down.
Currently out-of-work hockey coach Hunter Vaughn knows hockey strategy, he knows how to teach the game, but he's about to learn the most important lesson of all: sometimes love arrives when you least expect it, and healing can look nothing like you imagined.
129 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2025
3 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Lasairiona E. McMaster
47 books853 followersLasairiona McMaster writes sassy, classy and badassy women and strong, yet vulnerable men.
She challenges reader’s expectations by openly dealing with mental health issues, often exploring tough-to-handle topics and ‘taboos’ and books with a whole lotta heart.
She can either be found enjoying a gin and lemonade by the Irish sea, or baking sweet treats in her kitchen while singing at the top of her lungs.
When she’s ‘home’ in Texas, and isn’t eating fresh-popped popcorn while buying things she has absolutely no need for in Target, she can be found at Chuys eating her body weight in chips and queso and washing it down with a margarita swirl.
She challenges reader’s expectations by openly dealing with mental health issues, often exploring tough-to-handle topics and ‘taboos’ and books with a whole lotta heart.
She can either be found enjoying a gin and lemonade by the Irish sea, or baking sweet treats in her kitchen while singing at the top of her lungs.
When she’s ‘home’ in Texas, and isn’t eating fresh-popped popcorn while buying things she has absolutely no need for in Target, she can be found at Chuys eating her body weight in chips and queso and washing it down with a margarita swirl.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 15, 2025
Tropes:
Reverse age gap
Love after divorce
Forced proximity
One bed
Loved 🥰:
- this was fast, fun and the perfect HEA for Gabi
- some hilarious scenes, and Res being a drama queen really tickled me
- the prologue showing everyone’s HEA was so sweet
Liked ☺️:
- how much Gabi’s kids rallied behind her and told her unequivocal they were on her side
- when Gabi let her emotions show and let Hunter hold her 🥹🥹
Why it wasn’t rated higher (for me personally)🤷🏻♀️:
- I would’ve liked one or two more scenes just of Gabi and Hunter
Range & Rep:
Adult romance
Couple over 35
Reverse age gap
Love after divorce
Forced proximity
One bed
Loved 🥰:
- this was fast, fun and the perfect HEA for Gabi
- some hilarious scenes, and Res being a drama queen really tickled me
- the prologue showing everyone’s HEA was so sweet
Liked ☺️:
- how much Gabi’s kids rallied behind her and told her unequivocal they were on her side
- when Gabi let her emotions show and let Hunter hold her 🥹🥹
Why it wasn’t rated higher (for me personally)🤷🏻♀️:
- I would’ve liked one or two more scenes just of Gabi and Hunter
Range & Rep:
Adult romance
Couple over 35
September 12, 2025
Trigger Warnings include:
misconduct of another that involved a court case, mentions of miscarriage, discussions of cheating and multiple children as the result of affairs
Mama de la Peña (NOPE! Rojas!) getting the HEA she DESERVES! Yes ma’am!!! And with a cinnamon roll of a man more than 10 years younger than her?! Yes yes YES!!! As per the Cedar Rapids course, I had my usual giggles the whole book, and it started with a belly roll laugh at the dedication! Hunter Vaughn is dealing with a “flamed out career” after an injury, and worried his coaching career is turning out to be just as much of a failure. Gabi is starting over, regaining her footing. Building from the ground up. And it seems a random place in Wisconsin should do the trick! And that place just happens to be Hunter’s downstairs. Except now they’re actually living together…and her kids show up…and oh gosh do I love everything!! Hunter is absolutely yet another perfect fit for this bunch!
My Favorite Quotes:
• “Is that a baton in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?”
• “Just staring at your butt and enjoying the coffee.”
• “What do you want me to do to you?” “Touch me.” “Where?” “Everywhere. Touch me everywhere.”
• “I’m not coming until you do.”
• “I need for you to get your ass back to bed. The only thing I need to do today is you.”
• “I can give you a foot rub if you’d rather have a foot rub.” “Shut up. Just... let me ride you. You can rub my feet when I’m done.”
7/10 Dirty Birdy
6/10 Age Gap
4/10 Instalove
4/10 Sports Romance
9/10 Series
This is my review for Snowflakes and Slapshots
This is my review for Freezing the Puck
This is my review for Pulling the Goalie
This is my review for Crashing the Net
This is my review for Lighting the Lamp
This is my review for Dropping the Mitts
This is my review for Home for the Hockey-Days
This is my review for Riding the Pine
misconduct of another that involved a court case, mentions of miscarriage, discussions of cheating and multiple children as the result of affairs
Mama de la Peña (NOPE! Rojas!) getting the HEA she DESERVES! Yes ma’am!!! And with a cinnamon roll of a man more than 10 years younger than her?! Yes yes YES!!! As per the Cedar Rapids course, I had my usual giggles the whole book, and it started with a belly roll laugh at the dedication! Hunter Vaughn is dealing with a “flamed out career” after an injury, and worried his coaching career is turning out to be just as much of a failure. Gabi is starting over, regaining her footing. Building from the ground up. And it seems a random place in Wisconsin should do the trick! And that place just happens to be Hunter’s downstairs. Except now they’re actually living together…and her kids show up…and oh gosh do I love everything!! Hunter is absolutely yet another perfect fit for this bunch!
My Favorite Quotes:
• “Is that a baton in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?”
• “Just staring at your butt and enjoying the coffee.”
• “What do you want me to do to you?” “Touch me.” “Where?” “Everywhere. Touch me everywhere.”
• “I’m not coming until you do.”
• “I need for you to get your ass back to bed. The only thing I need to do today is you.”
• “I can give you a foot rub if you’d rather have a foot rub.” “Shut up. Just... let me ride you. You can rub my feet when I’m done.”
7/10 Dirty Birdy
6/10 Age Gap
4/10 Instalove
4/10 Sports Romance
9/10 Series
This is my review for Snowflakes and Slapshots
This is my review for Freezing the Puck
This is my review for Pulling the Goalie
This is my review for Crashing the Net
This is my review for Lighting the Lamp
This is my review for Dropping the Mitts
This is my review for Home for the Hockey-Days
This is my review for Riding the Pine
March 28, 2025
Gabi, the female lead, has been a background character as the mother of several lead characters in the author’s Cedar Rapids Racoons series. Now she comes to the fore, stepping out of the shadow of an abusive, neglectful husband, she’s determined to take some time to reset after her divorce is confirmed, having not even told her supportive children that she was getting it, she takes off for a vacation rental in another state.
Hunter, the male lead, is a an injured ex-hockey player who is now coaching. Having been framed for fixing matches, he’s now probationally employed by a poorly performing hockey team and determined to make the most of it. He’s also determined to fix up his parents’ vacation rental house and has rented out the bottom half to acquire the income he needs. He’s shocked to find he knows his tenant by name and even more shocked by how beautiful she is. Gabi is shocked to identify Hunter too, and quick to assure him that she’s confident of his innocence. The attraction between them is immediate and intense. When a pipe bursts, flooding Gabi’s half of the house, the attraction is acted upon.
But is this just a rebound for Gabi? And can they make a long distance relationship work if it’s not? And will Gabi’s domineering ex stay out of the way?
This novella is dual POV, well written, and a funny, fast-paced, sweet and steamy, contemporary romance. I adored the realism of Gabi’s personality, with her determination to stand on her own but the uncertainty that years with her ex had induced. I enjoyed seeing her act for herself, especially in exploring her long-ignored sensuality. I empathised with Hunter’s frustration and his determination to make this career change work. I enjoyed the way he actively supported and encouraged Gabi’s independence and self-confidence. I enjoyed their steamy intimate scenes. I laughed hysterically at the engagement with Gabi’s children and their varied responses to their mother’s active sexuality. I appreciated that they created a space where all children plus Gabi and Hunter were comfortable. I was thrilled that Gabi was getting a story and I love the way the author has written this.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
Hunter, the male lead, is a an injured ex-hockey player who is now coaching. Having been framed for fixing matches, he’s now probationally employed by a poorly performing hockey team and determined to make the most of it. He’s also determined to fix up his parents’ vacation rental house and has rented out the bottom half to acquire the income he needs. He’s shocked to find he knows his tenant by name and even more shocked by how beautiful she is. Gabi is shocked to identify Hunter too, and quick to assure him that she’s confident of his innocence. The attraction between them is immediate and intense. When a pipe bursts, flooding Gabi’s half of the house, the attraction is acted upon.
But is this just a rebound for Gabi? And can they make a long distance relationship work if it’s not? And will Gabi’s domineering ex stay out of the way?
This novella is dual POV, well written, and a funny, fast-paced, sweet and steamy, contemporary romance. I adored the realism of Gabi’s personality, with her determination to stand on her own but the uncertainty that years with her ex had induced. I enjoyed seeing her act for herself, especially in exploring her long-ignored sensuality. I empathised with Hunter’s frustration and his determination to make this career change work. I enjoyed the way he actively supported and encouraged Gabi’s independence and self-confidence. I enjoyed their steamy intimate scenes. I laughed hysterically at the engagement with Gabi’s children and their varied responses to their mother’s active sexuality. I appreciated that they created a space where all children plus Gabi and Hunter were comfortable. I was thrilled that Gabi was getting a story and I love the way the author has written this.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
February 15, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 5 Stars
🌶 - Spice Level
Gabriella De Pena is now divorced from her cheating husband Alonso. She retreats to Wisconsin only to stumble upon Hunter Vaughn, who is licking his wounds after a false accusation had him fired.
When these two meet for the first time in the AirBnb, you couldn't help but smile and chuckle at her, falling in the snow and finding her adorable. There's a pretty significant age gap of 15 years, but Hunter didn't care one bit because she was delightfully sinful to him. When they are forced to share the same bed due to pipe burst and lack of heat, wholy moly the heat gets hot between them. I loved how Hunter was able to give her comfort in his arms, but build her back up with his focus on her pleasure that she hadn't had in decades from her now exhusband. With the grown children showing up right in the middle of them getting it on, 🤌 priceless! Mama Pena finally gets what she's been needing in a younger but more mature hottie than her ex-husband ever was!! He even fits with her kids, too. 💋💋❤️❤️
🌶 - Spice Level
Gabriella De Pena is now divorced from her cheating husband Alonso. She retreats to Wisconsin only to stumble upon Hunter Vaughn, who is licking his wounds after a false accusation had him fired.
When these two meet for the first time in the AirBnb, you couldn't help but smile and chuckle at her, falling in the snow and finding her adorable. There's a pretty significant age gap of 15 years, but Hunter didn't care one bit because she was delightfully sinful to him. When they are forced to share the same bed due to pipe burst and lack of heat, wholy moly the heat gets hot between them. I loved how Hunter was able to give her comfort in his arms, but build her back up with his focus on her pleasure that she hadn't had in decades from her now exhusband. With the grown children showing up right in the middle of them getting it on, 🤌 priceless! Mama Pena finally gets what she's been needing in a younger but more mature hottie than her ex-husband ever was!! He even fits with her kids, too. 💋💋❤️❤️
February 1, 2025
Gabriela de la Peña is a force to be reckoned with but even she needs a break from well everything.
Including her very loving and protective children. So one group text, one Airbnb Reservation and she's off.
Hunter Vaughn is about to welcome his first Airbnb guest and does he get a surprise when the woman who gets out of the car is elegant and completely out of place.
It doesn't take more than these two coming face to face to feel the chemistry coming off the page.
This story may be short but it is mighty. It's full of big feelings, big laughs, big love, and for Gabriela for the first time maybe ever it's all for her.
This story is for anyone who feels overwhelmed, forgotten, who gives their all always, and always looks the part for the people in their lives. Sometimes it's okay to fall apart and let someone else catch you.
I have voluntarily left this review.
Including her very loving and protective children. So one group text, one Airbnb Reservation and she's off.
Hunter Vaughn is about to welcome his first Airbnb guest and does he get a surprise when the woman who gets out of the car is elegant and completely out of place.
It doesn't take more than these two coming face to face to feel the chemistry coming off the page.
This story may be short but it is mighty. It's full of big feelings, big laughs, big love, and for Gabriela for the first time maybe ever it's all for her.
This story is for anyone who feels overwhelmed, forgotten, who gives their all always, and always looks the part for the people in their lives. Sometimes it's okay to fall apart and let someone else catch you.
I have voluntarily left this review.
February 3, 2025
This was a super fun quick read. The dedication grabbed me from the start and then when the kids turned up? Hilarious! I felt for poor Ares tho, bless him.
Very happy that Mama de la Pena dumped her toxic hubby at last and got her HEA. Hunter was adorable and despite being far too easily distracted by sushi... Check out the bonus scene for that nugget.
If you've read any of the Cedar Valley Raccoons books and are in the mood for an older lady with younger guy read then this fits the bill nicely.
Very happy that Mama de la Pena dumped her toxic hubby at last and got her HEA. Hunter was adorable and despite being far too easily distracted by sushi... Check out the bonus scene for that nugget.
If you've read any of the Cedar Valley Raccoons books and are in the mood for an older lady with younger guy read then this fits the bill nicely.
February 9, 2025
Wow... absolutely brilliant!
I love Mama de la Peña's story. It was funny and joyful and great fun to read!!
It just goes to show that there is life after divorce, even if it is with a younger guy!
Gabriella's kids seem to make a habit of ringing or calling in at the most inappropriate moments between her and Hunter, and they end up with an eyeful of Hunter's rear!!
Fantastic storyline and wonderful characters and absolutely loved the HEA.
I love Mama de la Peña's story. It was funny and joyful and great fun to read!!
It just goes to show that there is life after divorce, even if it is with a younger guy!
Gabriella's kids seem to make a habit of ringing or calling in at the most inappropriate moments between her and Hunter, and they end up with an eyeful of Hunter's rear!!
Fantastic storyline and wonderful characters and absolutely loved the HEA.
April 21, 2025
I have not read any other books in the series ... and I did not feel like I was missing something.
I loved the energy both MCs brought to this Novella ... and even if I wished it were longer, it truly gave so much more than your typical short story.
Hunter and Gabriela were everything! 🤌🏽 It was the banter, the tension, and the chemistry. I could not get enough!
And that scene was fucking hilarious! #iykyk
I loved the energy both MCs brought to this Novella ... and even if I wished it were longer, it truly gave so much more than your typical short story.
Hunter and Gabriela were everything! 🤌🏽 It was the banter, the tension, and the chemistry. I could not get enough!
And that scene was fucking hilarious! #iykyk
April 3, 2025
Dump and Chase is a fun-to-read and quick short story in the Cedar Rapids Raccoons series. Gabi de la Pena has been in the background for most of them and now it's her time in the spotlight. Laugh-out-loud hilarious, heartbreakingly tender and interspersed with snow-melting steamy sexy times, this is a wonderful gift to all the Raccoons fans.
February 1, 2025
Dump and Chump
Overall Score ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Heat Level 🔥🔥🔥
Genres/Tropes
• Reverse Age Gap
• Recently Divorced FMC
This is a one sit read that has so many laugh out loud moments. I have read ALL of Lasairiona's novellas and this one is my absolute favorite.
Overall Score ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Heat Level 🔥🔥🔥
Genres/Tropes
• Reverse Age Gap
• Recently Divorced FMC
This is a one sit read that has so many laugh out loud moments. I have read ALL of Lasairiona's novellas and this one is my absolute favorite.
March 4, 2025
You go, Mama de la Peña! Get it, girl! Lasairiona did a fantastic job giving this woman the quick story she needed. We needed to see her happy, truly happy, and oh so satisfied. This was the perfect addition to this absolutely phenomenal series.
March 28, 2025
Short, sweet and smexy... Gabi and Hunter had such a fabulous meet cute 😍
Loved that there was happiness for the ex Mrs de la Peña after divorcing and enduring life with the dreadful Alonso...
It was great to catch up with Athena and the brothers too 👏
Loved that there was happiness for the ex Mrs de la Peña after divorcing and enduring life with the dreadful Alonso...
It was great to catch up with Athena and the brothers too 👏
October 29, 2025
I got this novella given to me by the author at AATA 25 having never read anything sports based i didn't know what to expect. I absolutely loved it, it was such an easy read. I really want to read the rest of the series now highly recommend 👌
February 7, 2025
I think i love this book in the raccoons series the most, Gabi and Hunter need a whole series of their own!!
March 10, 2025
Gabi deserves the world and this happy ending with Hunter
March 28, 2025
Go get it Gabi!!
May 15, 2025
Go Mama G!
Short but a good read and she definitely deserved a HEA!
Short but a good read and she definitely deserved a HEA!
April 9, 2026
A little brief, with terrible editing. Needs to share more of the hero's backstory.
November 8, 2025
This was a cute short read that tells us about the Des La Pena Mother Gabriella. A great read!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews