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Forced Proximity: A Spicy Brothers Best Friend Hockey Romcom
One cabin. One impossible connection. One chance to rewrite the rules.
Pia
I came to the mountains to clear my head, finish my thesis, and maybe breathe for the first time in years.
I didn’t expect him—my brother’s best friend, NHL golden boy, Liam Mitchell.
Older. Brooding. Off-limits.
He’s supposed to be a summer complication. A distraction.
But then he touches me like I’m the only thing keeping him grounded.
And I’m starting to wonder… maybe I am.
Liam
I came here to disappear.
Anxiety, burnout, pressure I can’t explain—hockey used to be my escape. Now it’s my cage.
Then Pia walks back into my life.
Brilliant, beautiful, way too off-limits—and suddenly, I can breathe again.
She sees through the noise.
But when summer ends, so does the bubble.
And I’m terrified I’ll lose the one person who made me feel whole again.
What happens when love shows up at the worst possible time… and feels like the only thing that’s ever made sense?
Pia
I came to the mountains to clear my head, finish my thesis, and maybe breathe for the first time in years.
I didn’t expect him—my brother’s best friend, NHL golden boy, Liam Mitchell.
Older. Brooding. Off-limits.
He’s supposed to be a summer complication. A distraction.
But then he touches me like I’m the only thing keeping him grounded.
And I’m starting to wonder… maybe I am.
Liam
I came here to disappear.
Anxiety, burnout, pressure I can’t explain—hockey used to be my escape. Now it’s my cage.
Then Pia walks back into my life.
Brilliant, beautiful, way too off-limits—and suddenly, I can breathe again.
She sees through the noise.
But when summer ends, so does the bubble.
And I’m terrified I’ll lose the one person who made me feel whole again.
What happens when love shows up at the worst possible time… and feels like the only thing that’s ever made sense?
134 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 30, 2025
34 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Kate J. Blake
61 books134 followersKate J. Blake writes spicy romance novellas for naughty readers who love hot heroes and happily-ever-afters.
Originally from Ukraine, Kate currently resides in Southern California, enjoying the warm weather all year round.
Kate used to work as a stylist, and loves everything about fashion. She's a fan of online shopping, and buys tons of useless stuff, trying to convince her husband that she possibly can't live without all of that.
Kate reads 100+ books a year, but still orders many more titles than she could ever possibly read. She loves binge-watching romance TV shows and always misses her writing deadlines.
Kate has visited 30+ countries, and is not planning to stop travelling any time soon. You can find out more about her trips through her social media accounts.
Originally from Ukraine, Kate currently resides in Southern California, enjoying the warm weather all year round.
Kate used to work as a stylist, and loves everything about fashion. She's a fan of online shopping, and buys tons of useless stuff, trying to convince her husband that she possibly can't live without all of that.
Kate reads 100+ books a year, but still orders many more titles than she could ever possibly read. She loves binge-watching romance TV shows and always misses her writing deadlines.
Kate has visited 30+ countries, and is not planning to stop travelling any time soon. You can find out more about her trips through her social media accounts.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 9, 2025
4/5
TROPES:
-brother's best friend
-spicy romcom novella
-mental health rep
-temporary roommates
Pia has known Liam for years, he's her brother's best friend. She's always had a major crush on him but he's never even looked at her because of their age difference. She retreats to her family's cabin to do some hardcore studying- and surprise! Her brother sends Liam there as well to recover.
The second he walks through the door and sees his best friend's little sister wearing revealing yet comfy clothing, he's a goner. He wants her BAD. He tries to resist. Everything is going great until one night he wakes up having a panic attack and Pia helps him breathe.
That brings them closer. A lot closer. Things get spicy, quick. He's determined to make her his and he does. The only thing he's unsure of is how her family will deal with it. But Pia? She has no reservations at all. <3
This was such a great novella! I really enjoyed it. The spice was great, their relationship was great, I just wish the story delved more into WHY Liam was having such a hard time mentally. It hinted around at different things but never really gave us a reason. That would've made the story a bit more complete in my opinion.
SAFETY:
Virgin/celibate/manwhore?: virgin heroine, celibate hero
OM/OW drama?: none
Cheating/sharing? none
Triggers: panic attacks/nightmares
Kinks: praise
HEA?: yes!
TROPES:
-brother's best friend
-spicy romcom novella
-mental health rep
-temporary roommates
Pia has known Liam for years, he's her brother's best friend. She's always had a major crush on him but he's never even looked at her because of their age difference. She retreats to her family's cabin to do some hardcore studying- and surprise! Her brother sends Liam there as well to recover.
The second he walks through the door and sees his best friend's little sister wearing revealing yet comfy clothing, he's a goner. He wants her BAD. He tries to resist. Everything is going great until one night he wakes up having a panic attack and Pia helps him breathe.
That brings them closer. A lot closer. Things get spicy, quick. He's determined to make her his and he does. The only thing he's unsure of is how her family will deal with it. But Pia? She has no reservations at all. <3
This was such a great novella! I really enjoyed it. The spice was great, their relationship was great, I just wish the story delved more into WHY Liam was having such a hard time mentally. It hinted around at different things but never really gave us a reason. That would've made the story a bit more complete in my opinion.
SAFETY:
Virgin/celibate/manwhore?: virgin heroine, celibate hero
OM/OW drama?: none
Cheating/sharing? none
Triggers: panic attacks/nightmares
Kinks: praise
HEA?: yes!
July 10, 2025
This brothers best friend/ hockey romance, sees Pia tucked away in her families cabin with her brothers best friend Hockey star Liam for the summer. They spend their love soon blooms. This is a great read and even better series!.
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.
October 11, 2025
This is a hockey romance with no hockey but I still loved every minute of it. I am becoming a huge fan of Kate’s books. I love that I can crush several of them a day if I want to and still feel like I got a whole book, because I did.
I love the characters in this book, Liam is an NHL hockey player who is on the brink of a full on mental breakdown or so everyone keeps telling him. He knows something’s not right but he doesn’t feel like it’s that bad. Until he flys out to his best friends lake house to take a forced mental health vacation.
Pia is Liam’s best friends little sister who is not so little anymore. She was at the lake house when Liam got there and he lost all sense of being a human with a brain when he walks in on her studying in the worlds tiniest shorts and tank.
I love their dynamic and the pull between these two is crazy. You can tell they both are trying so hard to behave but at the same time dropping hints.
Pia is smart, sexy, funny and everything Liam didn’t know he wanted. Liam is borderline depressed, and having anxiety attacks and Pia is the only person who sees him and stands beside him without trying to fix him.
I love a good hockey romance but this story is hockey adjacent. It references hockey but doesn’t include any actual ice time or team culture I am used to seeing in a hockey romance. I loved every minute of the story and I hope to read a continuation of Nico (Pia’s brother) and his new therapist as it sounded scandalous and intriguing.
I love Kate’s writing style and if you haven’t checked her out I highly suggest giving her a read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love the characters in this book, Liam is an NHL hockey player who is on the brink of a full on mental breakdown or so everyone keeps telling him. He knows something’s not right but he doesn’t feel like it’s that bad. Until he flys out to his best friends lake house to take a forced mental health vacation.
Pia is Liam’s best friends little sister who is not so little anymore. She was at the lake house when Liam got there and he lost all sense of being a human with a brain when he walks in on her studying in the worlds tiniest shorts and tank.
I love their dynamic and the pull between these two is crazy. You can tell they both are trying so hard to behave but at the same time dropping hints.
Pia is smart, sexy, funny and everything Liam didn’t know he wanted. Liam is borderline depressed, and having anxiety attacks and Pia is the only person who sees him and stands beside him without trying to fix him.
I love a good hockey romance but this story is hockey adjacent. It references hockey but doesn’t include any actual ice time or team culture I am used to seeing in a hockey romance. I loved every minute of the story and I hope to read a continuation of Nico (Pia’s brother) and his new therapist as it sounded scandalous and intriguing.
I love Kate’s writing style and if you haven’t checked her out I highly suggest giving her a read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 8, 2025
Forced Proximity by Kate J. Blake
Forced Proximity delivers exactly what the title promises—a beautifully intense, emotionally rich, brother’s best friend + forced proximity romance set in a secluded mountain cabin, where burnout meets healing, and off-limits turns into undeniable.
Pia is in the mountains for peace and solitude on summer break. She doesn’t expect to Liam Mitchell, her brother’s best friend and a star hockey player, coming to stay in the same cabin. The last time she saw him, he was just a friend of the family. Now, he’s older, haunted, and very much a man.
Liam, battling anxiety and burnout, came to disappear. Hockey used to be his escape, but now he’s suffocating under the weight of expectation and identity. Then he finds Pia—kind, sharp, and stunning—and suddenly, everything starts to shift. She makes him feel seen, wanted, and safe.
As they share tight quarters, the chemistry is impossible to ignore. Late-night conversations turn into deeper connections. Each character’s wounds—his from fame, hers from pressure—start to heal under the gentle, slow-burn warmth of something real.
But when the summer ends, real life threatens to pull them back apart.
Forced Proximity is raw and emotionally intelligent, packed with slow-burn tension and characters that feel achingly real. It’s a story about learning how to breathe again—with the help of someone who sees the real you.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Forced Proximity delivers exactly what the title promises—a beautifully intense, emotionally rich, brother’s best friend + forced proximity romance set in a secluded mountain cabin, where burnout meets healing, and off-limits turns into undeniable.
Pia is in the mountains for peace and solitude on summer break. She doesn’t expect to Liam Mitchell, her brother’s best friend and a star hockey player, coming to stay in the same cabin. The last time she saw him, he was just a friend of the family. Now, he’s older, haunted, and very much a man.
Liam, battling anxiety and burnout, came to disappear. Hockey used to be his escape, but now he’s suffocating under the weight of expectation and identity. Then he finds Pia—kind, sharp, and stunning—and suddenly, everything starts to shift. She makes him feel seen, wanted, and safe.
As they share tight quarters, the chemistry is impossible to ignore. Late-night conversations turn into deeper connections. Each character’s wounds—his from fame, hers from pressure—start to heal under the gentle, slow-burn warmth of something real.
But when the summer ends, real life threatens to pull them back apart.
Forced Proximity is raw and emotionally intelligent, packed with slow-burn tension and characters that feel achingly real. It’s a story about learning how to breathe again—with the help of someone who sees the real you.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 7, 2025
When he opens the door to the cabin, the last thing he expects is to find is a curvy goddess reclining on the floor, and he certainly didn't expect for it to be her, his best friend's sister. The last time he saw her she was a teen with braces, now she is all grown up and gorgeous. She was not expecting anyone to walk in the door let alone him, her life long crush. He is there to get some space in between seasons, the anxiety and restlessness have been getting to him. She is there on her school break, studying. What they find in each other feels like home. This is a sweet story. He has had no family, no anchor having spent his childhood in the system. Now he feels unmoored even with his professional success. But being with her, she not only has his history, she also makes everything feel right in a way that he has never felt before. He doesn't intend to let that go. She has always loved him, and now loves him even more seeing his vulnerabilities and finding out that she is the thing that brings him peace. It isn't all sweetness, there is definitely some spice when things heat up, but this one is low angst, two people figuring out where they belonged the whole time.
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.
August 26, 2025
Cute quick read. Only drawbacks -
One- needed a proof read before publishing, he goes from not having a shirt to her grabbing his shirt on him, they go from being on the couch to being in bed clutching the sheets without having moved rooms, and at least a handful of spelling or word choice errors.
Two- it moved fast in emotions and commitment without the backstory to back it up
Both things I can look past because it was a cute novella but it was those two aspects that took me out of the story.
One- needed a proof read before publishing, he goes from not having a shirt to her grabbing his shirt on him, they go from being on the couch to being in bed clutching the sheets without having moved rooms, and at least a handful of spelling or word choice errors.
Two- it moved fast in emotions and commitment without the backstory to back it up
Both things I can look past because it was a cute novella but it was those two aspects that took me out of the story.
June 5, 2025
3.5 stars
This was a cozy, emotional read with some really lovely moments. I liked the cabin setting and the connection between Pia and Liam, it felt natural and tender. The mental health themes were a nice touch, too. That said, the pacing dragged a bit for me, and some parts felt repetitive. Still, if you enjoy a slow-burn romance with emotional depth and a bit of angst, this one’s worth checking out.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a cozy, emotional read with some really lovely moments. I liked the cabin setting and the connection between Pia and Liam, it felt natural and tender. The mental health themes were a nice touch, too. That said, the pacing dragged a bit for me, and some parts felt repetitive. Still, if you enjoy a slow-burn romance with emotional depth and a bit of angst, this one’s worth checking out.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 6, 2025
liked the alternative chapters between Pia and Liam.
It's quick, but in a good way and it has really good visuals and backstory.
The cabin is atmospheric and I felt the same excitement as Liam at the trip to the cabin.
There were good twists.
It's immersive and realistic and has good attention to detail. It's romantic
5 stars .
Thanks to Kate J. Blake
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It's quick, but in a good way and it has really good visuals and backstory.
The cabin is atmospheric and I felt the same excitement as Liam at the trip to the cabin.
There were good twists.
It's immersive and realistic and has good attention to detail. It's romantic
5 stars .
Thanks to Kate J. Blake
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 2, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. Pia and Liam both end up at the vacation cottage at the same time. The development between the two of them is natural, they just fit. I really enjoyed this book. I liked the characters and how well written they were. I look forward to seeing if there is a follow up about Nico.
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.
June 21, 2025
Great story, loved these characters as Liam gets everything he’s always wanted. Enjoyed their connection as it goes way back, even with others knowing there were signs of something special going to happen in the future. Loved the support from others as these two learn to accept what they have together.
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 25, 2025
She is his best friend’s younger sister and totally off limits. He is a brooding hickey player on forced vacation….oh and her crush since she was 14. Will their forced proximity be a good thing? I found the characters and the story very end. It was a true delight to see their story unfold. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by booksprout.
October 15, 2025
no unneeded fights
This book was cute and light and exactly what I was looking for this morning. No unnecessary breakup over something stupid at the 75% done point. Storyline was great and believable. Characters were mature, immature and funny all at the same time! It’s a short read definitely worth your time!
This book was cute and light and exactly what I was looking for this morning. No unnecessary breakup over something stupid at the 75% done point. Storyline was great and believable. Characters were mature, immature and funny all at the same time! It’s a short read definitely worth your time!
October 21, 2025
I really loved the first half of the book but the second half was a little fast. She said she loved him for years and he literally wants her since this week? That just made me a little sad but then after a little over a week he loves her and they are boyfriend and girlfriend? That was a little too fast for me but all together i enjoyed this quick read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2025
3.5 stars
This is a short novella with great spice and fun characters however there are some spelling errors and needed a proof read before publishing as there are some scenes that dont make complete sense e.g the mmc geos from not having a shirt to her suddendly grabbing his shirt
But this was still a great book and i really enjoyed it
This is a short novella with great spice and fun characters however there are some spelling errors and needed a proof read before publishing as there are some scenes that dont make complete sense e.g the mmc geos from not having a shirt to her suddendly grabbing his shirt
But this was still a great book and i really enjoyed it
December 6, 2025
Forced Proximity was a quick, steamy read. As a lover of brother best friend romance I knew I’d love this story and Kate didn’t let me down!
I loved the characters. I loved the flow of their relationship. I appreciated that her brother didn’t fly off his rocker when he found out like most brothers do. It was a sweet story with some spice and definitely a must read!
I loved the characters. I loved the flow of their relationship. I appreciated that her brother didn’t fly off his rocker when he found out like most brothers do. It was a sweet story with some spice and definitely a must read!
June 5, 2025
A nice, sweet story with just a hint of spice. The writing was really good and I loved Pia and Liam's story and how their relationship evolved. Funny and heartwarming. I just wish it was longer.
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.
October 4, 2025
This was a cozy, sweet, and cute novella! Pia has always had feelings for Liam and sparks fly when they find themselves at her family's cabin alone together. Liam has had a tough life but this story was so cute!
December 10, 2025
Pia and Liam may find themselves together in forced proximity, but it just adds to the spark between them. A nice and sweet little read.
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 1, 2025
Cute quick easy read ! Some spice - not enough 😩
September 8, 2025
Short, sweet, and full of charm, this story was the perfect quick read. Forced proximity is one of my favorite tropes, and Kate brought it to life beautifully.
September 23, 2025
Such a good, fast read. Really enjoyed this book!
November 13, 2025
A soft, fluffy, feel good love story with all happy endings and no bumps in the road. It was sweet and a good way to spend a day curled up, trying to hide from the cold.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews