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One Shot
Falling for the widowed hockey star wasn't part of the job description
When I stepped into Liam Anderson's world as his children's nanny, I knew the
Care for his daughters, maintain boundaries, and absolutely no entanglements.
He's the Kansas City Coyotes' brooding star still haunted by his wife's death.
I'm a fresh-faced childhood education graduate with a heart too big for my own good.
His life runs on precision and emotional distance.
Mine thrives on warmth and spontaneity.
When a cartwheel diffuses a crisis and hot chocolate becomes a peace offering, something shifts between us.
One touch was a mistake. One kiss crossed every professional boundary. What happened next changed everything.
Until a crisis threatens his career — and I do the one thing I swore I'd never do.
Sometimes it takes losing everything to find what matters most. And sometimes, love only needs one shot.
A steamy, emotional pro hockey romance featuring a grumpy single dad, his sunshine nanny and the family they never knew they needed.
Features
✅ Pro Hockey Romance
✅ Single Dad / Nanny
✅ Forced Proximity
✅ Spicy Times
✅ Grumpy / Sunshine
✅ Age Gap
✅ Opposites Attract
✅ Found Family
When I stepped into Liam Anderson's world as his children's nanny, I knew the
Care for his daughters, maintain boundaries, and absolutely no entanglements.
He's the Kansas City Coyotes' brooding star still haunted by his wife's death.
I'm a fresh-faced childhood education graduate with a heart too big for my own good.
His life runs on precision and emotional distance.
Mine thrives on warmth and spontaneity.
When a cartwheel diffuses a crisis and hot chocolate becomes a peace offering, something shifts between us.
One touch was a mistake. One kiss crossed every professional boundary. What happened next changed everything.
Until a crisis threatens his career — and I do the one thing I swore I'd never do.
Sometimes it takes losing everything to find what matters most. And sometimes, love only needs one shot.
A steamy, emotional pro hockey romance featuring a grumpy single dad, his sunshine nanny and the family they never knew they needed.
Features
✅ Pro Hockey Romance
✅ Single Dad / Nanny
✅ Forced Proximity
✅ Spicy Times
✅ Grumpy / Sunshine
✅ Age Gap
✅ Opposites Attract
✅ Found Family
490 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 2, 2025
158 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 11, 2025
• felt rushed a lot of the time until the end where it dragged on
• somehow they caught feelings for each other 8% into the story
• takes place less than six months after his wife died…
• the kids ages seemed a little off as well, they maybe should have been older — at least with their personalities and the way they acted
• it just wasn’t for me :/
& unfortunately the cover is an ai version of elle kennedy’s book ‘the mistake’
• somehow they caught feelings for each other 8% into the story
• takes place less than six months after his wife died…
• the kids ages seemed a little off as well, they maybe should have been older — at least with their personalities and the way they acted
• it just wasn’t for me :/
& unfortunately the cover is an ai version of elle kennedy’s book ‘the mistake’
March 5, 2026
Liam Anderson is a hockey player trying to survive after the loss of his wife, Kate. At the same time, raising his two daughters Maddie six, and Hailey five sometimes requires more energy and emotion, than he has to give with working. Let’s just say he’s trying to do it all himself, and that it is not working so well for him. He is short-tempered, although he tries not to be, especially with his girls, but he wears his grief like a cloak, that guards him like a shield to keep people away. All so he doesn't have to deal with feelings and emotions. However, he is failing to see that the girls need him, and he is shutting himself away in his office in the name of work, when not at the rink. Which is pretty much all the time, so the girls are feeling the abandonment and loss of two parents. He still somewhat tries at times to be the dad he used to be, but the minute they mention their mom he retreats, emotionally and sometimes physically. Leaving their housekeeper to manage the load.
Until one day, he gets a call from his parents telling him he is shouldering too much. So delicately they suggest that it's time to bring in help. Like a nanny from a reputable agency that will screen the woman to make sure they have been vetted, and is willing to sign an NDA. That they come qualified and skilled enough to work with the girls, and their grief. At first, he protested, but then his parents reminded him that his season was amping up, and he was not going to be home as much, and the transition would be hard on the girls. Not to mention while he was away on his first away games. Finally, he said he would think about it, they had valid points. His mom plowed through, she said great she would ask around for the best agency, and then have them set up a few of their top candidates. She would do it as soon as possible, so that he can be around during the transition, so it's laid back for all of them. Weed out any personality issues, parenting issues, and other issues. He knew his mom, she was like a dog with a bone. It was just better to go with it.
Plus, he is thirty-five, and he is starting feel every bit of it. Not to mention the younger guys especially Alex keep goading him. As if he doesn't have enough on his plate. Going through the interviews has been eye-opening for lack of a better phrase. Enter Sunny Thompson. As they entered Liam’s home, and he walked ahead of her into the living room his posture was slightly stooped, as if burdened by strain and sorrow. “Thank you for considering me for the position.
I know this is a… unique situation.”“Experience with recent loss is one reason you made the shortlist,” he replied gruffly. Sunny’s stomach dropped, she hadn’t expected that. It was a personal detail, and the ache over her father’s passing was still fresh. “I did my homework, too,” he said, raising an eyebrow. “This isn’t really my forte. So just tell me, why should I hire you? You’ve got an impressive resume, no doubt. But you’re a twenty-five-year-old kid yourself, still wet behind the ears.
How can I have faith in leaving my daughters in your hands?” Although it was a valid point, phrasing it more delicately would have been nice. Sunny lifted her chin, refusing to be intimidated. “With all due respect, Mr. Anderson, my passion and experience transcend any number on an application. I may be young, but I’m ready for this.” She then glanced around the living room, noting the top-of-the-line furniture but also the scuffs, pen marks, and drink stains. As if, saying it’s not like you've been doing a bang-up job let’s see your credentials. “I wouldn’t consider myself ‘wet behind the ears,’” she added, looking him straight in the eye. She couldn't read him, but she thinks she saw sympathy, curiosity, anger, and surprise move across his chiseled jaw. “Fair enough, I think it’s time you met the little hell-raisers.” Of course, they are in a heated debate. But jump when Liam addresses them. “Who’s that?”
“This is Miss Sunny,” Liam replied. “She’s interviewing to be your new nanny. Why don’t you introduce yourselves?” “Hi Sunny, I’m Hailey, and I’m five!” “And I’m Maddie, I’m six years old,” chimed her older sister. “Are you gonna be our new bossy babysitter?” “I must admit, you handled that better than most,” he said. “They’re sweethearts,” Sunny replied, honestly. “Just two little girls who lost their mom way too soon. I can only imagine how much they’re hurting… and how much you are, too,” she ventured. “Don’t get the wrong idea, Miss Thompson,” he stated flatly. “My priority is making sure my kids have the care they need, not finding a replacement for their mother or anything else. This is strictly a formal arrangement.” Sunny felt slapped by his words, heat rising to her cheeks. “Mr Anderson…” She leveled her gaze firmly, though she was quaking inside. “I don’t have any agenda besides providing those little girls with a safe and positive environment.”
Still feeling raw, it colored her words. “I have no intention of replacing their mother,” she continued. “You can hire me or not; that’s entirely your prerogative. But when it comes to children, I don’t do things halfway. There are no formal arrangements for caring for kids. In my experience, that’s not how human relationships work.” “Alright then,” he said. “Let’s give this a trial and see how it goes. We’ll evaluate in a month whether it’s a good fit.” “Thank you, sir. I promise you won’t regret this,” she replied. “Then don’t make me regret it,” he said simply, adding a half-smile to show he wasn’t entirely serious. “Your room will be upstairs. The family quarters are down here.” Beth the elderly housekeeper, had been with Liam since his first year as a rookie. When he had more money than sense, as she puts it. She cleans almost every day for a couple of hours, and Sunny found her grounding. In her sixties, Beth had the sprightly energy of someone much younger.
Her dark brown hair was streaked with white, but her face glowed, remarkably free of lines and wrinkles. “Rough morning?” she asked. “Just a moderate disaster today!” Sunny shot back with a wink. When the youngest daughter Hailey brakes a vase that was her mom’s and Liam loses it. Scaring them all. He gathered the pieces and left the room. Leaving Sunny to deal with the fallout. Later she accidentally saw him crying his eyes out in his office holding the vase pieces to his chest. Her heart broke for him, and she knew that it wasn’t just the girls who needed her it was their stubborn dad. See how her positive outlook starts to break him down Liam’s inner turmoil, and before you know it he starts to feel again. However, can he get past the guilt and betrayal he feels for feeling something for Sunny, and it's not been a year after Kate’s death?
Until one day, he gets a call from his parents telling him he is shouldering too much. So delicately they suggest that it's time to bring in help. Like a nanny from a reputable agency that will screen the woman to make sure they have been vetted, and is willing to sign an NDA. That they come qualified and skilled enough to work with the girls, and their grief. At first, he protested, but then his parents reminded him that his season was amping up, and he was not going to be home as much, and the transition would be hard on the girls. Not to mention while he was away on his first away games. Finally, he said he would think about it, they had valid points. His mom plowed through, she said great she would ask around for the best agency, and then have them set up a few of their top candidates. She would do it as soon as possible, so that he can be around during the transition, so it's laid back for all of them. Weed out any personality issues, parenting issues, and other issues. He knew his mom, she was like a dog with a bone. It was just better to go with it.
Plus, he is thirty-five, and he is starting feel every bit of it. Not to mention the younger guys especially Alex keep goading him. As if he doesn't have enough on his plate. Going through the interviews has been eye-opening for lack of a better phrase. Enter Sunny Thompson. As they entered Liam’s home, and he walked ahead of her into the living room his posture was slightly stooped, as if burdened by strain and sorrow. “Thank you for considering me for the position.
I know this is a… unique situation.”“Experience with recent loss is one reason you made the shortlist,” he replied gruffly. Sunny’s stomach dropped, she hadn’t expected that. It was a personal detail, and the ache over her father’s passing was still fresh. “I did my homework, too,” he said, raising an eyebrow. “This isn’t really my forte. So just tell me, why should I hire you? You’ve got an impressive resume, no doubt. But you’re a twenty-five-year-old kid yourself, still wet behind the ears.
How can I have faith in leaving my daughters in your hands?” Although it was a valid point, phrasing it more delicately would have been nice. Sunny lifted her chin, refusing to be intimidated. “With all due respect, Mr. Anderson, my passion and experience transcend any number on an application. I may be young, but I’m ready for this.” She then glanced around the living room, noting the top-of-the-line furniture but also the scuffs, pen marks, and drink stains. As if, saying it’s not like you've been doing a bang-up job let’s see your credentials. “I wouldn’t consider myself ‘wet behind the ears,’” she added, looking him straight in the eye. She couldn't read him, but she thinks she saw sympathy, curiosity, anger, and surprise move across his chiseled jaw. “Fair enough, I think it’s time you met the little hell-raisers.” Of course, they are in a heated debate. But jump when Liam addresses them. “Who’s that?”
“This is Miss Sunny,” Liam replied. “She’s interviewing to be your new nanny. Why don’t you introduce yourselves?” “Hi Sunny, I’m Hailey, and I’m five!” “And I’m Maddie, I’m six years old,” chimed her older sister. “Are you gonna be our new bossy babysitter?” “I must admit, you handled that better than most,” he said. “They’re sweethearts,” Sunny replied, honestly. “Just two little girls who lost their mom way too soon. I can only imagine how much they’re hurting… and how much you are, too,” she ventured. “Don’t get the wrong idea, Miss Thompson,” he stated flatly. “My priority is making sure my kids have the care they need, not finding a replacement for their mother or anything else. This is strictly a formal arrangement.” Sunny felt slapped by his words, heat rising to her cheeks. “Mr Anderson…” She leveled her gaze firmly, though she was quaking inside. “I don’t have any agenda besides providing those little girls with a safe and positive environment.”
Still feeling raw, it colored her words. “I have no intention of replacing their mother,” she continued. “You can hire me or not; that’s entirely your prerogative. But when it comes to children, I don’t do things halfway. There are no formal arrangements for caring for kids. In my experience, that’s not how human relationships work.” “Alright then,” he said. “Let’s give this a trial and see how it goes. We’ll evaluate in a month whether it’s a good fit.” “Thank you, sir. I promise you won’t regret this,” she replied. “Then don’t make me regret it,” he said simply, adding a half-smile to show he wasn’t entirely serious. “Your room will be upstairs. The family quarters are down here.” Beth the elderly housekeeper, had been with Liam since his first year as a rookie. When he had more money than sense, as she puts it. She cleans almost every day for a couple of hours, and Sunny found her grounding. In her sixties, Beth had the sprightly energy of someone much younger.
Her dark brown hair was streaked with white, but her face glowed, remarkably free of lines and wrinkles. “Rough morning?” she asked. “Just a moderate disaster today!” Sunny shot back with a wink. When the youngest daughter Hailey brakes a vase that was her mom’s and Liam loses it. Scaring them all. He gathered the pieces and left the room. Leaving Sunny to deal with the fallout. Later she accidentally saw him crying his eyes out in his office holding the vase pieces to his chest. Her heart broke for him, and she knew that it wasn’t just the girls who needed her it was their stubborn dad. See how her positive outlook starts to break him down Liam’s inner turmoil, and before you know it he starts to feel again. However, can he get past the guilt and betrayal he feels for feeling something for Sunny, and it's not been a year after Kate’s death?
May 6, 2025
For anyone that wants to read a sweet, clean book - this is not it. Just a warning. Totally my fault that I did not see where it stated there was some spicy content. However, there seem to be two different covers for this book. The one that downloaded to my kindle shows a cartoon based type of cover while the cover that displays on Amazon is definitely more adult featuring a shirtless hockey player. The download cover implies more of a clean storyline.
I would also say that I feel like this book needs some warnings with it. There is grief and the. There is GRIEF. This book dealt with GRIEF. The way the dad interacted with his two girls was so heavy, so emotional, so intense that I think people need to be made aware. Based on the content of the grief and how it is worked through - I could see it being triggered for some (and I don’t use that word often). The girls, especially the oldest, yikes. Children trying to deal with the death of a parent is hard and then you add a spouse dealing with the loss of their other half and suddenly becoming a single parent…..it’s a rough story.
The ebook has 481 pages so it is definitely not a short read. Took me a couple of sittings so just be prepared. I did think there were some sections that could have been shortened to help move the book along with I also understand why the author wrote it the way she did. Lots of emotion. LOTS.
You may want to read this in private as I had to have tissues handy in some sections.
I would also say that I feel like this book needs some warnings with it. There is grief and the. There is GRIEF. This book dealt with GRIEF. The way the dad interacted with his two girls was so heavy, so emotional, so intense that I think people need to be made aware. Based on the content of the grief and how it is worked through - I could see it being triggered for some (and I don’t use that word often). The girls, especially the oldest, yikes. Children trying to deal with the death of a parent is hard and then you add a spouse dealing with the loss of their other half and suddenly becoming a single parent…..it’s a rough story.
The ebook has 481 pages so it is definitely not a short read. Took me a couple of sittings so just be prepared. I did think there were some sections that could have been shortened to help move the book along with I also understand why the author wrote it the way she did. Lots of emotion. LOTS.
You may want to read this in private as I had to have tissues handy in some sections.
April 9, 2025
Great story
I love the connection between sunny and Liam's children and the love that developed between Liam and Sunny. Especially loved that the story continued on into their marriage. Great characters and good storyline.
I love the connection between sunny and Liam's children and the love that developed between Liam and Sunny. Especially loved that the story continued on into their marriage. Great characters and good storyline.
May 15, 2025
Love never ends…
What a delight to read a well composed love story that deals with issues of loss, abandonment and redemption is a companionate, caring way! I enjoyed reading this story because the story was and characters were relatable. I will be reading more from this author.
What a delight to read a well composed love story that deals with issues of loss, abandonment and redemption is a companionate, caring way! I enjoyed reading this story because the story was and characters were relatable. I will be reading more from this author.
April 10, 2025
Beautifully heartbreaking
I don’t think I’ve ever read a more beautiful, heartbreaking, heartwarming story. Wonderfully written. Definitely a must read for everyone!
I don’t think I’ve ever read a more beautiful, heartbreaking, heartwarming story. Wonderfully written. Definitely a must read for everyone!
April 12, 2025
Since both the cover AND the author picture are AI generated, I assume the book has been written by ChatGPT as well
January 27, 2026
I really enjoyed the found family and happiness after loss elements of this book.
But struggled with the writing style and the dual pov 3rd party narration
But struggled with the writing style and the dual pov 3rd party narration
Read
February 26, 2026Book was a little slow at first but by the end I was crying my eyes out and can not wait for the second one
March 3, 2026
Great book. Funny and deeply emotional
What a great story with wonderfully developed characters. I loved each one and was rooting for everyone's happily ever after.
What a great story with wonderfully developed characters. I loved each one and was rooting for everyone's happily ever after.
December 28, 2025
I got sucked in by the widower trope (Sleepless in Seattle forever) but omg this was so bad. It was badly written, like cringeworthy bad and then his wife is barely gone and not even 10% into the book there's already something going on. Ughh. Nope
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews