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Canadian Played #5
Guarding Home Ice: Canadian Played, Book 5
Based on first impressions, I'm the last person Ryan should hire as a nanny for the summer. With his grumpy, judgmental attitude, plus the fact that he looks annoyingly good in T-shirts, I shouldn't want the job.
But since I'm fighting a custody battle and he's desperate, plus the fact that our girls are best friends, I took his offer.
New summer spend time with Bailey and save up for lawyer fees. And forget about the fact that my ex just married a woman ten years younger than me.
It all seems pretty perfect until the girls aren't satisfied with only daylight hours. First, it's the sleepover requests, then Bailey begging to bring Ryan's daughter Amaya with us on our trip to Montana. When they pull out the "we're like sisters now" argument, I'm dead in the water. Luckily, I know Ryan will never agree to it.
Except he does. Then says he'd like to come with us.
I know what he's playing at. He doesn't trust me to take his daughter on a road trip. But Ryan has opinions. Ryan ruins fun. I don't need another man in my life telling me how I'm doing everything wrong as a parent. I don't need him hijacking our vacation.
But who knows how long I'll have Bailey with me full time, and I don't want to kill her summer dreams. I can do this for her, can't I?
How hard could it be to keep a cranky hockey player at arms length?
For fans of Abby Jimenez and Emily Henry, the Canadian Played series is full of laugh-out-loud, steamy, closed door hockey romances.
Start the series now!
But since I'm fighting a custody battle and he's desperate, plus the fact that our girls are best friends, I took his offer.
New summer spend time with Bailey and save up for lawyer fees. And forget about the fact that my ex just married a woman ten years younger than me.
It all seems pretty perfect until the girls aren't satisfied with only daylight hours. First, it's the sleepover requests, then Bailey begging to bring Ryan's daughter Amaya with us on our trip to Montana. When they pull out the "we're like sisters now" argument, I'm dead in the water. Luckily, I know Ryan will never agree to it.
Except he does. Then says he'd like to come with us.
I know what he's playing at. He doesn't trust me to take his daughter on a road trip. But Ryan has opinions. Ryan ruins fun. I don't need another man in my life telling me how I'm doing everything wrong as a parent. I don't need him hijacking our vacation.
But who knows how long I'll have Bailey with me full time, and I don't want to kill her summer dreams. I can do this for her, can't I?
How hard could it be to keep a cranky hockey player at arms length?
For fans of Abby Jimenez and Emily Henry, the Canadian Played series is full of laugh-out-loud, steamy, closed door hockey romances.
Start the series now!
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Published October 8, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
September 28, 2024
so amusing
How come I haven´t read books from this author before? I had a blast reading Aelin and Ryan´s story, their daughters really are sneaky little matchmakers that can´t be resisted.
How come I haven´t read books from this author before? I had a blast reading Aelin and Ryan´s story, their daughters really are sneaky little matchmakers that can´t be resisted.
November 28, 2024
This was a cute single dad/ single mom story. Yes, technically they were both married when they met. This was a very cutesy story especially when their daughters try to push them together.
October 21, 2024
3★
This was my first read in the Canadian Played series, and it ended up being an enjoyable one! With two sneaky daughters, a cute blooming friendship and 'The Parent Trap' vibes, how could it not be?
This was such an easy read, with personal growth, self-discovery and found family side tropes. While I was nervous that Ryan would continue to be insufferable, I ended up really growing to like his character and his supportive/caring nature. The budding romance reflected this supportiveness and the start of a new, healthy journey. My only wish is that we could've seen another scene or two with the girls since they were such a huge part of the storyline.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
This was my first read in the Canadian Played series, and it ended up being an enjoyable one! With two sneaky daughters, a cute blooming friendship and 'The Parent Trap' vibes, how could it not be?
This was such an easy read, with personal growth, self-discovery and found family side tropes. While I was nervous that Ryan would continue to be insufferable, I ended up really growing to like his character and his supportive/caring nature. The budding romance reflected this supportiveness and the start of a new, healthy journey. My only wish is that we could've seen another scene or two with the girls since they were such a huge part of the storyline.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
November 4, 2024
Officially a hockey fan.! I'm loving all of it.
October 24, 2024
Cute, but a bit too long ❤️
November 26, 2024
This story was great! Single mom and single dad with daughters the same age. Sweet romance story. Love this author.
September 30, 2024
Both Aelin and Ryan are married to other people when they meet. BTW: their meet-cute is adorable! Aelin, though, is in the final stages of her divorce from a controlling narcissist. Ryan's situation has him bound to a woman who no longer even knows or understands that she's married. She's not even aware of who exactly Ryan is when he visits. And she believes her daughter is her friend. Their lives are messed up and ugly and oh, so very painful. But they discover that just because a chapter of their lives is over that their is so much more left to their stories. So much life left to live. So much love left to share. Their story is sad, tender, and incredibly sweet.
I received an ARC of this book. I am posting my review voluntarily and for free.
I received an ARC of this book. I am posting my review voluntarily and for free.
September 29, 2024
ARC Review
I really enjoyed *Guarding Home Ice*, even though it’s the last book in the series so far. I haven't read the first four, and I plan to get to the rest because I love the author’s writing style and know I’ll enjoy them!
What made this book especially enjoyable for me is one of my favorite tropes: single parents. The characters navigate their challenges in such a relatable way, and I found myself rooting for them as they worked through their problems. The dynamic between the characters adds so much depth to the story, making it a delightful read!
I really enjoyed *Guarding Home Ice*, even though it’s the last book in the series so far. I haven't read the first four, and I plan to get to the rest because I love the author’s writing style and know I’ll enjoy them!
What made this book especially enjoyable for me is one of my favorite tropes: single parents. The characters navigate their challenges in such a relatable way, and I found myself rooting for them as they worked through their problems. The dynamic between the characters adds so much depth to the story, making it a delightful read!
September 30, 2024
This book really hit home and made me thankful for where I am at. The relationships of Ryan and Aelin's past that was mentioned remind me of my husband's and mine. We both met through our children. I liked the book. I just wish the author told us more about the background relationships, so maybe when someone who is dealing with the same things can realize it can get better. NOT THEIR FAULT.
The ending was OK. I wish they had told more about what happened to Ryan and Aelin.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The ending was OK. I wish they had told more about what happened to Ryan and Aelin.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 1, 2024
Love and hockey!
I love Cynthia Gunderson's books. I wish she could write faster. I can't wait for her next book. She writes hockey romances but they're in a class by themselves. Her characters are wonderful people. I love hearing the details of their lives and their jobs. They lead typical middle class lives but Gunderson has the knack of making that appealing and compelling. There is just a comforting rhythm to these books, like a warm hug. However, there's nothing cringy or overly sentimental. If you're new to Cynthia Gunderson, give her books a try and see what I mean.
I love Cynthia Gunderson's books. I wish she could write faster. I can't wait for her next book. She writes hockey romances but they're in a class by themselves. Her characters are wonderful people. I love hearing the details of their lives and their jobs. They lead typical middle class lives but Gunderson has the knack of making that appealing and compelling. There is just a comforting rhythm to these books, like a warm hug. However, there's nothing cringy or overly sentimental. If you're new to Cynthia Gunderson, give her books a try and see what I mean.
January 21, 2025
[3,5]
July 17, 2025
Ryan was the best! ❤️
September 27, 2024
Love that this book was a great mix of drama and playful humor! I would definitely recommend it!
October 13, 2024
right person at the right time ♡
October 14, 2024
I seriously need more books from the series... I eat it up the second these books drop. They are incredible and I am ADDICTED to say the least. I love this writing style and the found family that is so strong!!!! I NEED MORE OF THESE RIGHT NOW........
October 12, 2024
This book was fun and super cute it’s definitely giving parent trap vibes!
April 5, 2025
I absolutely love this book and entire series! Wonderful hockey player romance. Mostly focused on single parents living through the most complicated life situations. Fabulously written!
April 4, 2025
I love these cute little Canadian romances. They're cute and fun and quick, and I love the added in bit of hockey too.
October 8, 2024
All I have to say it… I devoured this book in a single day😍
October 25, 2024
Guarding Home Ice is Cynthia Gunderson’s newest novel and book five in the Canadian Played series. It is a sweet and spicy sports romantic comedy which takes place in Calgary, Canada. All books in the Canadian Played series can be read as stand-alones in any order.
Ryan is a single father with a ten-year-old daughter, Amaya, who he has raised alone for the past two years. He is an engineer who also plays hockey on the Snowballs team. He struggles with balancing his day-to-day responsibility for Amaya with the demands of his job and fitting everything into a 24-hour day.
Aelin is getting divorced from her jerk husband, and they are arguing over every little thing related to their ten-year-old daughter, Bailey. She is trying to figure out how to manage childcare for the upcoming summer while making money since her husband low-balled her on child support.
Amaya and Bailey are best friends, and their parents meet when there’s a last-minute cancellation of before-school chorus practice. Aelin lets Ryan prepare for a work meeting at her house, and a tentative friendship begins. Ryan hires Aelin as Amaya’s nanny for the summer, which helps both of them out. Soon the girls want to stay together 24/7, with Bailey insisting that Amaya must come along on their vacation to Montana.
Ryan and Aelin are physically attracted to each other but are different personality types. With Aelin going through a divorce, she’s not really wanting a relationship. With their daughters throwing them together at every opportunity, it’s inevitable that they are going to realize that they complement each other and fall madly in love.
Guarding Home Ice is a well-written realistic romance featuring single parents. While the romance is closed-door, the story contains profanity. This is my first book by this author, and it strikes me as being the most realistic story of any hockey romance that I have read; however, the realism is based on the single parenting and not the hockey aspect. If a reader wants a hockey-focused story, look elsewhere. Guarding Home Ice’s hero is an engineer, which is unusual for a romance. There are several funny scenes and witty dialogue sprinkled throughout, but it didn’t feel like a romantic comedy. This is a good story, but I think it’s mis-classified.
I received an advance review copy (ARC) from BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Ryan is a single father with a ten-year-old daughter, Amaya, who he has raised alone for the past two years. He is an engineer who also plays hockey on the Snowballs team. He struggles with balancing his day-to-day responsibility for Amaya with the demands of his job and fitting everything into a 24-hour day.
Aelin is getting divorced from her jerk husband, and they are arguing over every little thing related to their ten-year-old daughter, Bailey. She is trying to figure out how to manage childcare for the upcoming summer while making money since her husband low-balled her on child support.
Amaya and Bailey are best friends, and their parents meet when there’s a last-minute cancellation of before-school chorus practice. Aelin lets Ryan prepare for a work meeting at her house, and a tentative friendship begins. Ryan hires Aelin as Amaya’s nanny for the summer, which helps both of them out. Soon the girls want to stay together 24/7, with Bailey insisting that Amaya must come along on their vacation to Montana.
Ryan and Aelin are physically attracted to each other but are different personality types. With Aelin going through a divorce, she’s not really wanting a relationship. With their daughters throwing them together at every opportunity, it’s inevitable that they are going to realize that they complement each other and fall madly in love.
Guarding Home Ice is a well-written realistic romance featuring single parents. While the romance is closed-door, the story contains profanity. This is my first book by this author, and it strikes me as being the most realistic story of any hockey romance that I have read; however, the realism is based on the single parenting and not the hockey aspect. If a reader wants a hockey-focused story, look elsewhere. Guarding Home Ice’s hero is an engineer, which is unusual for a romance. There are several funny scenes and witty dialogue sprinkled throughout, but it didn’t feel like a romantic comedy. This is a good story, but I think it’s mis-classified.
I received an advance review copy (ARC) from BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 1, 2024
I love hockey romance so I HAD to read this book also. I am so glad that I did! It was an easy read and such a cute romance.
Aelin and Ryan are both married, but single parents of daughters. Aelin is in the final stages of a divorce from a horrible marriage. Ryan is still married, but his wife doesn’t remember her life. When the two meet, the sparks instantly fly between them. As much as they try to resist, they can’t.
Aelin and Ryan are both married, but single parents of daughters. Aelin is in the final stages of a divorce from a horrible marriage. Ryan is still married, but his wife doesn’t remember her life. When the two meet, the sparks instantly fly between them. As much as they try to resist, they can’t.
October 27, 2024
Before getting into the review, you should know that I read a ton (over 350 books this year already) and I generally only leave reviews for 4 stars and above. That being said... If you're looking for a closed door, heartfelt, more mature story, this is 5 starts!!
Be aware that there are some heavy topics, so check your triggers. If you're still good, be prepared to be hit in the feels!
You'll get to know both characters having good and bad days, but trying to do the best they can for their daughters amidst every day struggles faced by everyone trying to single parent and some extraordinary, but very real, situations.
This is a rare story where I could relate to and rooted for both the male and female main characters. The situations they both start with when they meet each other are delicate and Cynthia Gunderson handles them very respectfully. And yes, we still get our HEA in a believable way.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and an leaving this review voluntarily.
Be aware that there are some heavy topics, so check your triggers. If you're still good, be prepared to be hit in the feels!
You'll get to know both characters having good and bad days, but trying to do the best they can for their daughters amidst every day struggles faced by everyone trying to single parent and some extraordinary, but very real, situations.
This is a rare story where I could relate to and rooted for both the male and female main characters. The situations they both start with when they meet each other are delicate and Cynthia Gunderson handles them very respectfully. And yes, we still get our HEA in a believable way.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and an leaving this review voluntarily.
October 24, 2024
Aelin and Ryan have both been dealt a pretty harsh hand in the romance/marriage department. Ryan’s situation is sad and just heartbreaking. Aelin’s estranged husband is just downright poisonous.
Their first meeting is pretty epic, but definitely memorable! Their girls are suddenly BFFs, and seemingly pretty subtle at coordinating their parents being in the same place. The subtle little matchmakers are pretty effective too.
I enjoyed watching the connection grow between Ryan and Aelin, a slow somewhat awkward friendship to supportive with a dash of attraction.
Aelin is still going through a toxic divorce with a scheming snake of an ex and after 12 years of living with a narcissist she’s in complete self-protective mode.
I wish we would have had a few more chapters of them being a couple. The bonus chapter of the wedding reception is awesome so definitely signup for it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Their first meeting is pretty epic, but definitely memorable! Their girls are suddenly BFFs, and seemingly pretty subtle at coordinating their parents being in the same place. The subtle little matchmakers are pretty effective too.
I enjoyed watching the connection grow between Ryan and Aelin, a slow somewhat awkward friendship to supportive with a dash of attraction.
Aelin is still going through a toxic divorce with a scheming snake of an ex and after 12 years of living with a narcissist she’s in complete self-protective mode.
I wish we would have had a few more chapters of them being a couple. The bonus chapter of the wedding reception is awesome so definitely signup for it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 29, 2024
Solid 3, no real spice just some light petting. But the story was enjoyable
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2024
This was good. In the last book i read in this series, I was missing the found family that the earlier books had. This book brought that back. Not a lot, but enough.
I do want to express how much I hate the ex-husband.
One more in the series, can't wait to read.
I do want to express how much I hate the ex-husband.
One more in the series, can't wait to read.
October 26, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Such a good book!! Ryan is just so perfect just loved this book! Clarke really is a douche lol
Such a good book!! Ryan is just so perfect just loved this book! Clarke really is a douche lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2024
Guarding Home Ice was a delightful surprise. Despite being new to the series, I was immediately drawn into the heartwarming tale of single parenthood. The author's ability to craft relatable characters was impressive. The protagonist's journey of balancing work, family, and personal life felt authentic and resonated deeply with me.
The plot, while predictable in some ways, was filled with enough twists and turns to keep me engaged. I particularly enjoyed the subplots involving the characters' friendships and romantic relationships. The author's writing style was both heartwarming and humorous, making the novel a joy to read.
Thanks to BookSirens and the author for sharing this book with me. 🩷
The plot, while predictable in some ways, was filled with enough twists and turns to keep me engaged. I particularly enjoyed the subplots involving the characters' friendships and romantic relationships. The author's writing style was both heartwarming and humorous, making the novel a joy to read.
Thanks to BookSirens and the author for sharing this book with me. 🩷
January 16, 2025
Book 5 in Gunderson's Canadian Played series revolves around the budding relationship between Ryan and Aelin. He's an engineer and part time hockey player, married to Kara, with a 10 year old daughter, Amaya. Kara is in an assisted living center for a brain aneurism with no hope of ever coming home. Aelin is a sahm, married to Clark, currently in mediation for an impending divorce. Clark is a cheater and a narcissist. They also have a 10 year old daughter, Bailey.
Unusual meet-cute, two meddling 10 year old's, supportive family and friends. Lots of intervention and the banter between the two is heart warming. This book has all the feels: laughter, tears, guilt, heat and a few murderous reactions I wasn't expecting. Ending a marriage is never easy, and Gunderson handles ending two with compassion and realism. While both end for very different reason you can't help but hope for Ryan and Aelin to come together for their own HEA.
I've read two other books by her, but this was the first in this series and I'll be finding the rest. After one book I want to know how the other couples came together and where everyone is headed. Thoroughly enjoyed this book and will read again.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Unusual meet-cute, two meddling 10 year old's, supportive family and friends. Lots of intervention and the banter between the two is heart warming. This book has all the feels: laughter, tears, guilt, heat and a few murderous reactions I wasn't expecting. Ending a marriage is never easy, and Gunderson handles ending two with compassion and realism. While both end for very different reason you can't help but hope for Ryan and Aelin to come together for their own HEA.
I've read two other books by her, but this was the first in this series and I'll be finding the rest. After one book I want to know how the other couples came together and where everyone is headed. Thoroughly enjoyed this book and will read again.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 25, 2025
I enjoyed this book, and I thought it addressed some interesting ethical questions in a meaningful way. The characters are realistic and likable, and it happily gave me a Parent Trap vibe.
I am not sure why, but for some reason the mood shift between sad Ryan and fun Ryan just felt a bit off. I think he just didn't act like I thought he would as I understood him up to that point. And I know, that is kind of an in the weeds kind of statement.
Otherwise, it was an awesome hockey romance I would recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I am not sure why, but for some reason the mood shift between sad Ryan and fun Ryan just felt a bit off. I think he just didn't act like I thought he would as I understood him up to that point. And I know, that is kind of an in the weeds kind of statement.
Otherwise, it was an awesome hockey romance I would recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 27, 2025
This is the fifth audiobook I've listened to in the Canadian Played series. In true Cynthia Gunderson fashion, she manages to perfectly balance the romance, comedy and some serious topics without them being too heavy, just beautifully. She's also a fantastic narrator. I'm a huge fan of Cynthia's work and plan to work my way through her entire collection.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews