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Falling for the Defender
She’s my best friend’s little sister…
And now she’s touching me in all the ways I’m not allowed to want.
Emma Bennett is sunshine and sass with a smile that could heal any bad day. She’s also my physical therapist. Here to get me back on the ice and keep me in line.
I’m back in our hometown to recover, not to relive the past.
But she’s setting the rules and testing every last bit of my control.
With her hands on my body every day, it’s impossible to keep things professional.
The more she pushes me away, the more I pull her closer.
Emma isn’t just the girl I can’t have.
She’s the girl I want under me, with me, completely mine.
She looks at me like I’m not just an injured athlete on borrowed time.
Emma makes me want something more than just a comeback.
I’ve been hit hard on the ice.
But nothing leveled me like falling for her.
Now the team wants me back in the city.
If I go…I might lose the only thing that’s ever felt real.
Falling for the Defender is a spicy standalone, forced proximity, off-limits, enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, brother's best friend, small town, hockey romance . This book is part of the Ridgeway Falls Rivals series each with a different MMC hockey perspective and a guaranteed HEA!
And now she’s touching me in all the ways I’m not allowed to want.
Emma Bennett is sunshine and sass with a smile that could heal any bad day. She’s also my physical therapist. Here to get me back on the ice and keep me in line.
I’m back in our hometown to recover, not to relive the past.
But she’s setting the rules and testing every last bit of my control.
With her hands on my body every day, it’s impossible to keep things professional.
The more she pushes me away, the more I pull her closer.
Emma isn’t just the girl I can’t have.
She’s the girl I want under me, with me, completely mine.
She looks at me like I’m not just an injured athlete on borrowed time.
Emma makes me want something more than just a comeback.
I’ve been hit hard on the ice.
But nothing leveled me like falling for her.
Now the team wants me back in the city.
If I go…I might lose the only thing that’s ever felt real.
Falling for the Defender is a spicy standalone, forced proximity, off-limits, enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, brother's best friend, small town, hockey romance . This book is part of the Ridgeway Falls Rivals series each with a different MMC hockey perspective and a guaranteed HEA!
- GenresEnemies To Lovers
167 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 17, 2025
60 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Rosie Knox
7 books7 followersRosie Knox writes contemporary romance books full of emotionally delicious alpha protectors, heart-racing twists, and just the right amount of spice. She believes every love story should come with a hero who knows exactly how to take control, and a heroine who gives him a run for his money.
When she’s not daydreaming up her next romantic escape for readers, she’s off exploring the mountains, skiing down powdery slopes, biking dusty trails, or soaking up the sun on a patio with her dog and her favorite real-life guy. Want more heat? Follow me on Amazon for exclusive content, sneak peaks and plenty of sizzling chemistry and happily ever after.
When she’s not daydreaming up her next romantic escape for readers, she’s off exploring the mountains, skiing down powdery slopes, biking dusty trails, or soaking up the sun on a patio with her dog and her favorite real-life guy. Want more heat? Follow me on Amazon for exclusive content, sneak peaks and plenty of sizzling chemistry and happily ever after.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 20, 2025
Enemies-to-lovers lovers unite!! The opening to this set the scene.
Dylan takes potshots and Emma is unfortunately the one responsible for getting him back on the field… er ice.
Early, it seems like Dylan is a mite selfish - ghosting everyone who knew him when he made it ‘big’. It wasn’t just Emma betrayed, but her brother too, so he has some work to do.
This story had so much tension, back and forth, will they-won’t they, that I was gettign whiplash. Every time I though there would be progress, someone managed to get into their head, or a decision was made and I just wamted one of them to finally choose. The constant back and forth was wearing.
This was an emotional read - surprisingly, I ended up sympathetic to Dylan, even when he frustrated me.
I enjoyed it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Dylan takes potshots and Emma is unfortunately the one responsible for getting him back on the field… er ice.
Early, it seems like Dylan is a mite selfish - ghosting everyone who knew him when he made it ‘big’. It wasn’t just Emma betrayed, but her brother too, so he has some work to do.
This story had so much tension, back and forth, will they-won’t they, that I was gettign whiplash. Every time I though there would be progress, someone managed to get into their head, or a decision was made and I just wamted one of them to finally choose. The constant back and forth was wearing.
This was an emotional read - surprisingly, I ended up sympathetic to Dylan, even when he frustrated me.
I enjoyed it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 12, 2025
This is a great story of a hockey player at the end of his career due to injury and his best friend's sister. Their HEA is entertaining, Dylan hasn't seen Emma or Jake for 8yrs or so but returns home as she is his physical therapist to get him back on the ice. Dylan was always destined for the NHL and Jake joined the military and then into security work. True love will always win out. Highly recommended reading.
May 18, 2025
This was a heartwarming story of love, healing and finding a new path in life. The two MC were well written. You felt the struggle Dylan had between his past game and future possibilities. Emma’s struggles with self worth and reaching for her dreams were so relatable. Their connection was off the charts.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 19, 2025
Great Read
Totally engaged from page 1. Complete story with a hint of more to come. My first Rosie Knox book - already downloaded the included freebie.
Solid, emotional tale with defined, believable characters - a fair bit of personal demon battling, wisdom and a nononesense HEA.
Totally engaged from page 1. Complete story with a hint of more to come. My first Rosie Knox book - already downloaded the included freebie.
Solid, emotional tale with defined, believable characters - a fair bit of personal demon battling, wisdom and a nononesense HEA.
September 4, 2025
Totally Loved This Story!
Emma had been cheated on by a former lover and she tightly guarded her heart. Dylan didn’t live beyond hockey,until he got hurt and he had to face the reality that he might not play again. Emma was a physical therapist an to try to help Dylan rehab his knee. They went through a lot of emotions and in the end they got their HEA.
Emma had been cheated on by a former lover and she tightly guarded her heart. Dylan didn’t live beyond hockey,until he got hurt and he had to face the reality that he might not play again. Emma was a physical therapist an to try to help Dylan rehab his knee. They went through a lot of emotions and in the end they got their HEA.
July 15, 2025
Good story
This was a good story but could have used a bit more romance and would have loved for Emma to had the baby before the story ended. All the characters were strong and loved Dylan and Emma together.
This was a good story but could have used a bit more romance and would have loved for Emma to had the baby before the story ended. All the characters were strong and loved Dylan and Emma together.
November 8, 2025
There was so much more potential here. No build-up. Throughout the whole book, I felt like I was missing the intro and chapters. Every sentence could have benefited from an extra line or two to give this story the depth it deserved.
May 28, 2025
I enjoyed falling for the defender which was Dylan and Emma’s story. It was an intriguing read. Loved the characters. I received an early copy of the book. And voluntarily leaving this review.
November 2, 2025
Good story but quite emotional in parts. Loved the ending though!
June 7, 2025
OMG 😱 this hockey book I can’t put down or stop reading. I cease on the edge of my seat . It was a steamy page turner and the suspense was too intense. After I turn the first page it will have diving and wanted more of the fire and smoke of Dylan and Emma love and hate forbidden love affair. Dylan takes potshots and Emma but who knew that they would have to a strong chemistry and physical attraction for one another. They couldn’t fight the temptation any longer as they gave into their desire of a romantic relationship.
I definitely recommend this book and you won’t be disappointed. I received advance copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion. Trina Jones
I definitely recommend this book and you won’t be disappointed. I received advance copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion. Trina Jones
July 28, 2025
Rosie is a new author to me, and she had my attention at this sexy hot cover, but it doesn’t stop there because Emma and Dylan are both amazing and perfectly written characters. So, say hello to your next 5-star romance book.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews