Next Man Up

by L.A. Witt

Author’s Next Man Up was written before the tragic and senseless deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. Out of respect for their memory and for the family, publication was delayed, and the book was revised to minimize some unfortunate and highly coincidental similarities to reality.

30% of the author’s royalties will be donated to the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation, an organization started by the brothers’ family to support causes that were near and dear to their hearts.
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When tragedy strikes the Pittsburgh Whiskey Rebels, winger Avery Caldwell loses more than his longtime linemate. Without warning, his best friend in the world is just… gone.

There’s no time for grief, though. The season is starting, and now Avery is captain of his devastated team. He’s determined to be strong for them and lead them by example—putting aside his emotions and focusing on hockey.

But he can only pretend he’s okay for so long.

Peyton Hall was looking forward to a new start on a new team. He’d expected to land a place on the second line and play among men he’s been admiring for years… including a winger he’s been crushing on since forever. Now he’s suddenly centering the top line and trying to fill the skates of a beloved star who’s gone too soon.

Avery is determined to ignore his heartache and carry his devastated team. Peyton is determined to find his place among grieving teammates.

But can the new guy stop Avery from self-destructing beneath his grief and the pressure of the captaincy?

And is there any room for the crackling chemistry they’re both trying desperately to ignore?

Next Man Up is a standalone M/M hockey romance.

Off-page death, grief, self-medicating, self-destructive behavior, addiction. Also mentions of pregnancy loss/infertility. If you have questions or would like clarification about any of the potential triggers in this book, please contact the author

Genres: M M Romance, Sports, Hockey, Romance, Contemporary, Amazon, Mental Health

512 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 7, 2026

About the author

L.A. Witt and her husband have been exiled from Spain and sent to live in Maine because rhymes are fun. She now divides her time between writing, assuring people she is aware that Maine is cold, wondering where to put her next tattoo, and trying to reason with a surly Maine coon. Rumor has it her arch nemesis, Lauren Gallagher, is also somewhere in the wilds of New England, which is why L.A. is also spending a portion of her time training a team of spec ops lobsters.

Authors Ann Gallagher and Lori A. Witt have been asked to assist in lobster training, but they "have books to write" and "need to focus on our careers" and "don't you think this rivalry has gotten a little out of hand?" They're probably just helping Lauren raise her army of squirrels trained to ride moose into battle.

Visit her website at http://www.gallagherwitt.com/.

Reviews

[❥ Tracy]

DNF 50%

This is dreadfully boring. The MCs have no connection and personally I don’t like reading about a romantic relationship that begins with one MC helping the other with alcoholism & rehab.

[Aleja]

MM romance | Sports romance | Pro Hockey | Teammates to lovers | SUPER Slow Burn | Mental Health rep | Grief | Depression and alcohol addiction | Found Family | Blowjobs | Dirty talk-ish


Dios, lo que he llorado con este libro! 😭 Lo único que tenía en mi mente al leer esta historia era lo mucho que quería que Leif siguiera vivo para poder ver a su mejor amigo enamorarse😭😭. Leif necesitaba vivir.

Es increíble cómo puedes llorar tanto por un personaje que solo aparece en el prólogo y al cual extrañas, junto con el protagonista, todo el santo libro😭😭 Yo solo quería que Avery fuera sumamente feliz con su mejor amigo vivo, por favor! 😭😭 Rota no, lo siguiente: quedé destrozada, desgarrada, hecha pedazos, emocionalmente devastada y con el corazón hecho trizas. Porque de verdad, si algo haces con total seguridad en todo el libro, es sufrir mientras lloras😭

Pasando a los protagonistas, debo decir que Avery y Payton son todo lo que está bien en este mundo. No puedo creer lo mucho que disfruté de su historia. Al principio, literalmente no sabía hacia dónde tiraría su relación, pero a medida que avanzas vas viendo cómo se va dando poco a poco. Es un slow-burn súuuuper lento, así que hay que tenerle muchas ganas y paciencia; su historia se hace desear un montón, pero se disfruta el doble! 🥹💖

Amé muchísimo a los personajes secundarios y el found family (Dios, qué haría yo sin este maravilloso trope?). El grupo que forma el equipo de Avery es precioso, el hecho de que todos se apoyen entre sí y lo unidos que estaban con Leif (más sabiendo que era su capitán) me dejó completamente enamorada de todos ellos.

Definitivamente leeré más libros de esta autora sin dudarlo! Su escritura es todo lo que necesitaba y más.

〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️

My God, I cried so much reading this book! 😭 The only thing on my mind while reading this story was how badly I wanted Leif to still be alive so he could watch his best friend fall in love😭😭. Leif needed to live.

It’s incredible how you can cry this hard for a character who only appears in the prologue, mourning him alongside the protagonist through the entire freaking book😭😭. I just wanted Avery to be blissfully happy with his best friend by his side, please! 😭😭 "Broken" doesn't even begin to cover it—I was left shattered, torn apart, wrecked, emotionally devastated, and completely heartbroken. Because honestly, the only thing you can do for sure while reading this book is suffer and cry😭

Moving on to the characters, I must say Avery and Payton are everything that is right with this world. I can’t believe how much I enjoyed their story. At first, I literally had no idea where their relationship was heading, but as you move forward, you see how it develops bit by bit. It’s a suuuuper slow-burn, so you definitely need to have the drive and patience for it; their story really takes its time, but it makes it twice as rewarding! 🥹💖

I absolutely adored the side characters and the found family dynamic (Gosh, what would I even do without this wonderful trope?). The incredible bond within Avery’s team is beautiful—the fact that they all support one another and how close they all were to Leif (especially knowing he was their captain) made me fall completely in love with all of them.

I will definitely be reading more from this author without a second thought! Her writing style is everything I needed and more.

[Kate Laycoax]

This absolutely wrecked me in the best way. It’s such a beautiful, raw story about grief, love, and trying to hold yourself together when everything feels like it’s falling apart. Avery and Peyton’s connection felt so real because it was soft and careful, but also heavy with everything they’re both carrying.

My heart just broke for Avery. He’s not only grieving his best friend, but he’s also trying to be the strong captain everyone needs… and he’s barely holding on. And then there’s Peyton, walking into this team that’s already shattered and trying to figure out how to help while also finding his place. The way he quietly shows up for Avery over and over again really got me, and I felt myself wanting to hug him because he was SO sweet towards Avery and was there for whatever he needed.

As a hockey fan, the storyline hit hard, especially thinking about real life tragedies of the Gaudreau brothers. That sense of loss rippling through a team, a family, a whole community… you really feel it here. And what I love about L.A. Witt is that she handles all of that with so much respect. The grief isn’t glossed over. It’s messy and painful and honest, and the romance was one that was worked for.

But at the same time, this is such a tender love story. It’s slow, it’s gentle, and it never once ignores the fact that both of these guys are hurting. Watching Avery slowly realize he doesn’t have to carry everything alone? I loved that.

This book is emotional, compassionate, and so, so beautifully written. If you love hockey romance with real depth and characters who feel completely human, this one is an easy five stars. It’ll break your heart a little, but it also reminds you that love can still grow in the middle of all that pain.

[Joyfully Jay]

A Joyfully Jay review.

5 stars

In Next Man Up, the chilling effect of the sudden loss of a long-time teammate and captain is deeply felt by the fictional Pittsburgh Whiskey Rebels. The MC of the story experiences extreme grief over the death of his best friend, which he uses alcohol to dull. Trigger warnings for alcoholic behavior, depression, and self-destructive behavior should not be ignored.

This is a very raw story. Avery and Peyton have high pressure jobs and are under constant scrutiny. Peyton’s history with alcoholics, his mother and a former teammate, has him recognizing the signs of Avery’s growing abuse, but he is reticent to intercede. His mounting fear that Avery will crash and burn, like those others had, guides him to action. His careful navigation of the situation affords Avery a window to ask Peyton for help, just before he does permanent damage to his life and career.

If you can weather a serious hurt/comfort read, and enjoy a solid, relatable, hockey romance, I really recommend this one.

Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.

[Lo Reads Books]

I've read and enjoyed some of LA Witt's books so I thought I'd give this one a go. Unfortunately this book felt more like a draft than a finished book.

There are obvious inconsistencies such as characters ordering Thai, then eating a spoonful of risotto and then eating a bite of Pad Thai.

And then there are issues (to me) with prose that could have been at least partly fixed with more editing:

- Both main characters' POV sounded exactly the same and also incredibly immature which just didn't work for grown-up men hockey players
- There was a lot of exposition (whole pages, sometimes) from both POVs that could have been better worked into the book
- The main characters are not very well developed. Apart from addiction and a parent with addiction we don't actually know much about them. What do they do in their free time? What's their favourite food? What's their daily routine? I felt like I had no idea who they were as people, especially Peyton.
- I'm still not sure why the characters fell in love. They hung out a lot but that's it.

[laureneliza]

This is a really thoughtful, nuanced book about grief, the love we have for friends, and how toxic masculinity affects those things, but it didn't work as a romance for me because frankly I didn't get a sense of who Avery was outside of his grief.

[Georgie-who-is-Sarah-Drew]

Witt writes 134k words of believable grief, angst, regret, worry, depression, heart-ache & addiction.

It's described as an M/M hockey romance. Well, two outta three ain't bad.

[Crisana]

This was less of a romance book and more of a slice of what grieving can look like, especially for men who tend to hide their feelings more and think they have to be the ones carrying the most weight.

[Pizza]

Gah, this book could have been 200 pages shorter. It’s so repetitive. Get. On. With. It.

[Heather MMRomanceReviewed]

Do not read this book in public... unless you like explaining to strangers why you are bawling at your kindle... because just when you think you're over the worst of it, BAM! L.A. Witt knows just how to touch you and make you feel the emotions that the characters feel... and writing grief and pain that continues even as moments of happiness or contentment start to creep in.

I love that these characters had orbited each other before the start of the book, and were able to find each other on different levels and connect in ways that are profound. I also love that this book breaks down the stigma of counseling and feeling deeply.

If you're looking for a quick, funny HEA, this book is not for you, but if you want to be torn apart and put back together with two amazing men who also play hockey, then pick up this book immediately!

[Maria]

FREE today (June 16, 2026) on Amazon.

[Theodore]

DNF @ 38%

It was an interesting decision to start the book off with a death. We didn't know Leif very well, but the effect he had on Avery and Peyton's dynamic was definitely noticeable. The grief felt a bit too strong at points but it did keep them from instaloving on each other though, so it's overall a positive for me.

I liked how we saw Avery starting to move past the grief when Peyton suggested they train. It was a really good scene showing us that they were getting to be comfortable around eachb other and establish a friendly dynamic and also show the team learning to heal (kinda since the grief still held strong after that)

Seeing Avery develop actual trauma over Leif's death was really good character development. Him basically having a panic attack and catastrophizing after another one of his teammates got hurt was very believable and really helped sell just how impacted he was by the sudden death of his best friend. Developing a fear of losing people you love is very very real after something as traumatic as that.

At some point though, I kinda got tired of Avery being so depressed and everything being about Leif. I get it, death and trauma are very serious and heavy things to deal with but this was supposed to be a romance novel, not a grief novel so after having read 120 pages and still being on the topic of "omg Leif and I did this here...", I got very very bored. Honestly, I would've loved a timeskip or something to actually have us get to the romance part because seeing Avery develop an alcohol problem + depression in 120+ pages was too much for me.

I literally almost DNFed if it hadn't been for the one romance scene that snuck in at 26%.

Why exactly didn't Peyton tell anyone about his suspicions that Avery had an alcohol problem? What was keeping him from going to Avery's friends or management about testing to see if it was a problem in the first place? Why did he decide to "keep an eye on him" as if he was the sole arbiter responsible for keeping Avery out of trouble? How did none of the team do anything about it when it was so obvious? Hell, the fucking coach called Avery out for almost getting into a fight with Peyton but then was all like "I don't care of you drink, that's fine" as if Avery was just casually getting drunk and not obviously abusing it. HUH? Why was the focus on fixing things woth Peyton when it was obvious to everyone (except the coach apparently) that Avery had started drinking more heavily on the past few months? Why was everyone giving the wrong advice? Peyton's dad tells him to "keep the line" despite literally just telling a story of how he wished he'd done something earlier with regards to Peyton's mom's alcoholism. Peyton's ex was all like "Is leave it alone" as if Peyton hadn't already come to blows with Avery twice over his drinking. Was I taking crazy pills? It felt like the story was bending over backwards to try and justify Avery's alcoholism at every turn since nobody addressed the very clear elephant in the room. If Avery had been more secretive about his drinking to the point where only Peyton was the one to notice, this would've been fine. In fact, it would've made more sense because given Peyton's history with his mom, he could've been more sensitive to the tells of secret alcoholismand that would've been a great conflict. But since it was apparently obvious to most people that Avery was starting to have issues, it was an just incredibly poor decision to have no one decide to act on it.

I'm DNFing because the book was already super long with barely any romance and the conflict basically hinged on the fact that everyone not address Avery's alcoholism. It wasn't even that hard of a thing to get around either. I just needed someone to try and fix it and Avery could be belligerent and refuse and then it would've been a better, more believable story.

1.5 stars barely rounded up.

[H.M.S.]

Next Man Up - the latest book by one of my absolute favorite romance authors, L.A. Witt.

I read this a few months ago as an ARC, but it's taken me a while to write up a review because the book pretty much gutted me.

And sorry - this ended up being a tad long! :-)

The premise of the story is that two professional hockey-playing best friends are always there for each other. Then, one dies very suddenly, very unexpectedly, devastating the one friend who was left behind. The friend finds comfort with someone else, but stays a loyal friend to the wife and children left behind.

This book is far less of a romance, or at least less romance-y than Witt's typical romances, where the leading men take part in a great story with lots and lots of spice from beginning to end. This book is more of an emotional journey that punches me in the gut every step of the way.

Why, you ask?

This book is a hockey romance. Hockey makes me happy. It's an addiction.

I live in Columbus, Ohio, and I'm a die-hard fan of the Columbus Blue Jackets. I'm a season ticket holder, and that's my team. I love my team. I go to all the games. I cheer them on, and no matter where they are in the standings, I support them. Sometimes it's hard - especially when we're sitting in last place, but I love them regardless.

I love hockey. So yeah - I read hockey romances. I love the sport, so I read everything from Hockey for Dummies to any hockey romance I can get my hands on. Sure, I can tell which authors have watched hockey and which authors haven't, but I read them all anyway.

Witt is one who knows and has watched hockey.

A bit of a real-life backstory: During the summer of 2024, the Blue Jackets' 5th Line, aka the fan base, was super excited that our team signed Sean Monahan, a center who used to play with Johnny Gaudreau, a winger we'd picked up a couple of seasons earlier. They had played together for several seasons up in Calgary and were best friends. The fact that they could play together again here was one of the biggest reasons Monny signed on for 5 years.

On August 29, 2024, Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matty Gaudreau, were riding their bicycles home when they were both struck and killed by a drunk driver because of road rage.

Their deaths hit the Columbus hockey community very hard. And not just Columbus - it hit the entire hockey community hard. We were all gutted.

Sean Monahan's first public appearance as a Blue Jacket was at the vigil we held downtown to remember his best friend and his best friend's brother. They never got to play together again.

At the funeral, Monny was one of the pallbearers. And Johnny's widow announced she was pregnant. Matty's widow was also pregnant, though farther along.

Heartbreaking.

Again, we were all gutted. I was gutted, and I hadn't yet met any of the players. I never had the chance to meet Johnny. I was going to that October at a meet-the-team event. Sure, I watched him play, but that was it. So even though I never met him in person, I couldn't watch any coverage without tears just pouring down my face. And when I watched the funeral? I was a wreck. I bawled my eyes out.

I'm sharing all this because the book, Next Man Up, was supposed to hit the shelves in September 2024. It was written and ready to publish by summer 2024, but originally set to publish what would have been right after the real-life deaths of two beloved hockey players.

This was a hockey romance. About a best friend who died unexpectedly. Witt is a die-hard hockey fan. She loves, understands, and appreciates the sport. Heck - she even drove from Pittsburgh to Columbus just to pay her respects to Johnny and Matty Gaudreau.

Now, I don't know LA Witt in real life, but I've communicated with her about books both in groups and via DMs. We like different teams, so we've also commented on each other's actual hockey posts. I've read a handful of ARCs from her on top of the 50+ books I've bought and read that weren't ARCs. (Seriously - over 50!)

But knowing what did happen in real life, in my city, on my team... I have to say that this was very hard to read.

Because of how hard this tragedy hit the hockey world, Witt delayed publishing this book by a year and a half. She also made changes to the book because the original version too eerily mirrored what happened in real life. And again - the book was written first, but wow. I couldn't believe how many similarities there were, and my god, I was a wreck while reading this.

Personal experience aside - and so sorry for being so long-winded - this was an excellent read. I read it all in one sitting.

So was there plenty of emotion? Hell, yeah. It ripped my heart out. And yes, her books are always good. Always well-written. But man oh man. It was such an emotional rollercoaster.

The story dwells on the loss of Avery's best friend, Leif. It does a great job of showing a grieving friend being there for a grieving widow. Finding solace and friendship with Peyton, a new player on Avery's team.

The story was handled well. As a fan, I appreciated the changes that were made. I loved every page.

Avery's journey was hard-fought, and the grief he felt was written beautifully and tastefully. Though it was hard, I'm glad I read it. And yes - maybe I'm just a fan, but it's amazing how many friends I have now thanks to hockey and thanks to joining the CBJ family. It's amazing how we all came together in an awful time. I'm glad the story was delayed. And I'm thrilled that a portion of the proceeds will be sent to the Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation, founded by their widows.

So it all comes down to this: if you like hockey romances that really tug the heck out of your emotions, then this book is for you. It's a good, good, good story, and you'll be there with these characters, rooting for them, every step of the way.

[rebecca mallonee]

Repetitive

I usually like L A Witt books and enjoy her writing, but not this time. The premise was interesting, but there was far too much visiting, re-visiting, and re-re-visiting the concerns and problems of the main characters. For example (and this is not a spoiler), the main character worries that fans are not going to welcome him back when he is off to get help with an emotional problem. He attends a game during his time off and the crowd goes wild when they see him on the jumbotron. Worry erased, right? No. We have to read the same thing all over again when he returns to play. It was tedious. I'll still read her, though. Just hope the next book moves better.

[Siobhàn Mcalindon]

I had high hopes for this from the blurb but it was veryyyyyy repetitive and I wasn’t invested in the characters

[Steeped In Stories]

4.5⭐️

I often like Witt (I cannot recommend Leave enough) so there was no question about picking this up. And dayum! The feels! This is a stunning piece of work.

I was so emotionally invested and affected by this book. I couldn’t put it down (Literally. I read it all in one sitting). Witt’s ability to write emotionally immersive stories and characters is top notch and it’s displayed most clearly with this book. While I do have a few (minor) technical, structural complaints I didn’t see them as anything that largely detracted from the positives and emotional resonance this book produced.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its absolute gutting but authentic depiction of grief. It was emotional, wrenching, and so heartbreakingly compelling. As a hockey fan, the storyline hits particularly hard in the face of the tragedy of the Gaudreau brothers. Witt masterfully captures how such a loss ripples through an entire team, affecting players, fans, and a community at large.

The story follows Avery Caldwell, a winger for the Pittsburgh Whiskey Rebels, whose world is shattered when his best friend and longtime linemate unexpectedly dies. Without warning, Avery is thrust into the role of captain of a devastated team, determined to be strong for them by putting aside his emotions and focusing on the team and hockey. This internal conflict, the pressure to lead while drowning in his own sorrow, is portrayed with remarkable sensitivity and honesty. It’s messy and painful and human. Avery’s struggle is so real and palpable: he doubts himself, internalizes harmful perceptions about leadership, and believes he must project an unbreakable facade to be worthy of his position.

Peyton, the "next man up", the one who is chosen to fill Leif's center position on the first line, becomes both observer and participant in Avery's unraveling. The dynamic between Avery and Peyton created compelling tension as both men must face their fears and work through how they’re both affected by the death of another player.

Another strength is the meticulous character development that allows Avery and Peyton to feel like fully realized, distinct beings, making their journey all the more compelling.
I love how the narrative prioritized Avery’s healing and the emotional development and intimacy between Avery and Peyton. The growing affection between them is a slow, deliberate burn that developed believably through shared vulnerability and mutual support and progressed in a way that felt natural.

While spicy, steamy encounters certainly have their place in romance, the true measure of a successful partnership is revealed in how two people face life’s storms together. When everything else falls apart, can they turn to one another? Can they lean on each other, offer comfort, and become that soft place to land when the weight of reality becomes overwhelming? Does their love reveal itself in all the countless small ways someone shows they care? Can they be open and honest and vulnerable with each other? Can they laugh together? Do they share inside jokes? Can they work through disagreements calmly and without cruelty? Those are the moments that define real love and Avery and Peyton embody that.

Their relationship feels grounded and lived-in. The pages bleed with the trust and deep respect between them. Peyton offers a steady, non-judgmental space for Avery to fall apart and meets him with patience and understanding. He’s there for him consistently and unwaveringly when Avery needs it most. And though Peyton is the primary person that is doing the supporting throughout this book it’s obvious that when the time comes that Peyton needs to lean more on Avery he would be that pillar. This is what that makes them such a beautiful and resilient pairing.

Witt also deserves praise for delivering a true hockey romance. Soooooo many books in this genre merely feature characters who happen to play hockey without ever showing the game itself (which I personally feel, books like that shouldn’t qualify as hockey romances). Here, we get on-ice time, practices, games, and the realities of a professional hockey player that is integral to the plot/character development. Witt writes these scenes with knowledge and passion, grounding the story in the sport that shapes these men's lives.

Where I thought Next Man Up faltered was in its pacing and narrative structure. After a powerful start, the story became a bit circular, reintroducing previously established points as if new, and repeating conversations or inner thinking. I also felt that the third-act conflict was a bit contrived. While I think Peyton’s concern is a genuine one provided the circumstances something about how it all came about just felt out of place for me.

Despite these qualms, Next Man Up is a definite worthwhile read. It is a beautifully written story that excels in its emotional depth and character work, particularly in its sensitive portrayal of grief and recovery. It’s a story that is going to stay with me and I think is a lovely testament to the power of love and community in the face of overwhelming loss.

[Josie]

4.5⭐️

Welp. I thought I was ready for this book. More fool me. This is such a gut-wrenching look at grief, love, and the pressure to be ok when you’re wounded in a profound way but expected (at least by yourself) to shake it off. Avery and Leif were basically brothers since major juniors and linemates for almost all their pro careers. Avery lost his brother, his linemate, and captain, and ten days later, he’s got the C on his jersey. In his mind, he can't show the depth of his suffering and still be a great captain.

He feels the same about supporting Leif's widow Rachel, especially when her struggles become more complicated. He doesn’t think he has the right to such soul-crushing grief. It’s acceptable for spouses/blood relatives but not friends. That is one of the things I loved most about the story. I don’t think enough credence is given to platonic love. Many people will look at you sideways for grieving a best friend as much as that friend’s significant other. Everyone knows Avery’s having a hard time, but his teammates have each other to lean on and are healing so think Avery is too. He’s drowning and those closest to him can’t see it. But Peyton can.

Peyton grew up with an alcoholic mother and unconsciously clocks people’s alcohol intake; he’s burdened with guilt as well bc he noticed when a former teammate was hitting rock bottom but didn’t reach out. He doesn’t want that for Avery, and offers support even when he’s rebuffed. Peyton is caring, patient, and understanding and like Avery, has to be strong in an unanticipated and extreme way. He must keep his head in the game knowing Avery is spiraling, and he can’t reach out to the team for help.

The progression of their slow burn romance is well-paced and believable, as is the hesitancy in being together so early in Avery’s healing process. It only feels off during it’s one upheaval. The reasoning behind the argument is sound but how it plays out is almost out of character for Peyton. Peyton knows what’s triggering his feelings but doesn’t explain. That elicited a lot more anger and hurt than there needed to be, especially for Avery’s compromised emotional state.

There’s also the increasingly familiar repetition. As her books have gotten longer, the many repetitions of her MCs thoughts/dialogue have almost doubled. A lot makes sense bc the characters are on long journeys dealing with self-doubt, trauma and addiction, but it can be overdone. There are also just the things that are expressed, then a few pages later expressed again. “The player with a substance abuse/personal issue taking time off --> worrying about letting everyone down --> being blown away by the team and fan reaction” scenario is common in Witt’s hockey stories.

I like them, but there’s a scene toward the end where Avery is worried about being welcomed back bc he took mental health leave, and the wording is so similar to the same scene earlier that it feels like a flashback. Avery even worries they’ll boo him? A few weeks before they shook the rafters down just seeing him. Trepidation is logical but to such an extent that after recently being shown such an extreme amount of support, he’s surprised/disbelieving when told the team and fans can’t wait to have him back?

That said, the book is great. The characters are engaging, the emotions are visceral and affecting, and Avery’s personal and romantic HEA is immensely deserved.

[Danielle Cordsen]

Next man up
By: L.A. Witt

Absolutely tragic and beautiful!

📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚

Being a HUGE hockey fan I was definitely taken back to the tragic losses of the Gaudreau brothers and everything they themselves and those who love them and the littles that will never know them have lost. So I knew this book was going to destroy me. What I also knew was L.A. Witt tells a story with respect and love. Was not disappointed.

This team has lost its captain, Avery lost his best friend and captain and needs to step up as captain. He drowning but know his grief isn’t as important as Leif’s widow and instead of taking time to grieve someone so vitality important to him he starts drinking to numb the pain. This team and the man absolutely broke me.

When Peyton joins the team he’s kinda lost from day one. This team is broken and his new captain is a mess. He doesn’t know how to help but he tries. He will help if he can while trying to find a place on his new team. This book explores how different people grieve. Not all in a good way. The author writes with so much intensity and emotion pulled from each book it’s felt page after page. Some are quick witted story lines are so perfect and lets you believe you have a front row seat. So being able to read this love story didn’t disappoint. The authors ability to have two separate individuals struggling in their everyday life and try to navigate someone else’s thoughts, needs and desires was intense and gives all the fills.

Authors Blurb: When tragedy strikes the Pittsburgh Whiskey Rebels, winger Avery Caldwell loses more than his longtime linemate. Without warning, his best friend in the world is just… gone.

There’s no time for grief, though. The season is starting, and now Avery is captain of his devastated team. He’s determined to be strong for them and lead them by example—putting aside his emotions and focusing on hockey.

But he can only pretend he’s okay for so long.

Peyton Hall was looking forward to a new start on a new team. He’d expected to land a place on the second line and play among men he’s been admiring for years… including a winger he’s been crushing on since forever. Now he’s suddenly centering the top line and trying to fill the skates of a beloved star who’s gone too soon.

Avery is determined to ignore his heartache and carry his devastated team. Peyton is determined to find his place among grieving teammates.

But can the new guy stop Avery from self-destructing beneath his grief and the pressure of the captaincy?

And is there any room for the crackling chemistry they’re both trying desperately to ignore?

This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in dual POV this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know you’re 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration, cry with heartbreak and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all.

[Sasha]

Some books don’t just tell a story—they sit quietly beside you while you feel everything you’ve been trying not to. Next Man Up is one of those books.
This story is incredibly close to my heart because L.A. Witt doesn’t simply write romance; she writes people. Raw, vulnerable, painfully human people who bleed grief, responsibility, longing, and love in ways that feel achingly real. Every emotion here feels organic—nothing exaggerated, nothing performative. Just honest hearts trying to survive loss.

When tragedy strikes the Pittsburgh Whiskey Rebels, Avery Caldwell doesn’t just lose a linemate—he loses his anchor, his best friend, a part of himself. And yet, the world doesn’t pause for grief. Hockey doesn’t pause. The season begins, and suddenly Avery is the captain of a shattered team, carrying expectations heavier than his own heartbreak. Watching him suppress his pain, choosing leadership over healing, was devastating in the quietest way. His strength isn’t heroic—it’s exhausting, and that’s what makes it real.

Enter Peyton Hall, the “next man up,” a phrase that carries so much weight in this story. Peyton comes in hoping for a fresh start, only to find himself standing in the shadow of loss, trying to fill skates that can never truly be filled. His insecurity, his reverence for the team, and his long-held crush on Avery make his journey deeply tender. Peyton isn’t here to replace anyone—he’s here to belong, and that struggle is written with so much empathy.
What makes this book extraordinary is how gently it handles grief. There’s no rush to healing, no magical fix. There’s self-destruction, avoidance, quiet implosions, and the slow realization that pretending to be okay comes at a cost. Avery’s downward spiral is uncomfortable to read—but it should be. Grief isn’t neat, and L.A. Witt never pretends it is.
And then there’s the chemistry—soft, crackling, restrained. The kind that lives in glances, in unsaid words, in the space between two people who desperately want something but don’t believe they’re allowed to have it. The romance doesn’t overshadow the grief; it grows within it. Carefully. Respectfully. Beautifully.

I fell for both Avery and Peyton early on—not because they’re perfect, but because they’re trying. Trying to lead. Trying to fit in. Trying to breathe through pain that doesn’t have a name yet. Their connection feels earned, not rushed, and deeply healing without ever being unrealistic.

Next Man Up is a story about loss, responsibility, addiction, love, and what it means to keep going when your world has cracked open. It’s about stepping forward when you’re not ready—and learning that you don’t have to do it alone.
If you’re looking for a hockey romance that doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff, that respects grief, and that offers love as something quiet, steady, and grounding—this book will stay with you long after the final page.

Tender. Heartbreaking. Human.

[Joshua Ortiz]

*Blows out breath*... I need a minute.

First, I'm having a hard time rating this book because I feel like 5/5 does not do it justice for what the author hit on. But that's what I've got, so, 5/5.

Okay, I entered this book figuring it'd be a typical "broken man healed by a healthy man" sort of trope. And boy howdy, I terrifyingly underestimated what this book contained.

Next Man Up handled grief better than almost any romance I’ve read recently. Avery doesn’t just lose Leif and become sad. He tries to keep functioning. He captains, plays, smiles for cameras, supports everyone else, and slowly drinks himself into oblivion because he’s convinced that falling apart would mean failing the people who need him.

That was one of the strongest things about this book for me: functioning is not the same thing as coping. “Keep calm and carry on” does not automatically make someone strong. Sometimes it just means they’ve gotten very good at hiding how badly they’re hurting. That's a lesson I myself had to learn the hard way.

I also loved how seriously the book treated the loss of a best friend. Avery and Leif were family in every way that mattered, and the story never minimized that grief just because Leif wasn’t a spouse or sibling. The therapy scenes around friendship, masculinity, and grief were some of the best parts of the book for me. I can't explain to anyone reading this review how... real? intense? genuine? the grief is and how much you yourself will feel it. I mean, even reading what the stadium announcer was saying had me shaking trying not to cry.

And then there’s Peyton.

What I appreciated most is that the book didn’t pretend their relationship started in a perfectly healthy place. Peyton became Avery’s lifeline while Avery was drowning, and the story actually questioned whether that made their feelings real or just tangled up in survival. Instead of ignoring that, both of them had to confront it. Avery had to figure out whether he loved Peyton because Peyton saved him. Peyton had to figure out whether being needed had become part of how he loved.

And honestly? Sometimes a bond can start in an unhealthy place and still become something incredibly strong later if both people actually do the work.

That felt much more honest to me than the usual “well, they were there for you when you were grieving, so obviously you just latched onto them” take.

By the end, neither of them is magically fixed. Avery still misses Leif. Peyton still has his own trauma to work through. But they’re healthier, more honest, and actually choosing each other instead of just clinging to each other.

That’s the part I loved most.

[Jay]

“what do you think would happen if you let yourself grieve your friend as fiercely as you loved him?”

I want to say I’m surprised by how much of an impact this book had on me, but given the the fact that it was written by L.A. Witt, I’m not.

Next Man Up follows Avery Caldwell whose life is forever changed by his best friend’s passing. One minute him and Leif were poking fun at each other, the next Avery is trying to navigate life without him while also stepping up and filling Leif’s position as team captain of the Pittsburg Whiskey Rebels. Despite putting on a brave face, Avery is struggling.

Very rarely have I seen books that have explored grief from the perspective of a friend. Avery wasn’t Leif’s family or partner so why should he be falling apart? He tells himself that he needs to remain strong for his team and for Leif’s wife to the point where he continuously minimises his own pain. With no where else to direct his grief, Avery turns to alcohol. It isn’t until Peyton, who is newly traded to the team, points out that Avery can’t keep going on the way he is that he decides he needs to get help.

What make this story all the more impactful was the way it explored the outward rippling effects of grief. Peyton never knew Leif, yet his arrival on the team is heavily impacted by his death. It’s one thing to be the new guy trying to find where you fit within a team, but to be the new guy on a team whose lost a fundamental part of their family and who are also trying to adapt to their new reality has got to be so much harder.

This story is a powerful reminder that there are no rules when it comes to grief. Avery’s journey, while deeply devastating, was handed with so much care and compassion that it made it hard to book the book down, even while struggling to see through my tears.

[Nijntje Pluis]

3.75 stars. There is a romance at the end of this story (it's a real slow burn, so it takes a long time), but this is mostly a story about Avery dealing with suddenly losing his best friend. There's a lot of grief, a lot of unhealthy coping mechanisms and there's therapy.

What I loved about this book is that Avery was grieving his best friend, not a spouse or family member. That's not an angle I've read a lot about and it's weird to me that society often 'rates' it lower on the grief scale. I think there are a lot of people who have a more intimate connection with a longtime friend than with a sibling they see twice a year. Avery and Leif had been each other's ride or die for years, so Avery took his loss really hard, but at the same time had the idea that he had to stay strong for everyone else. With that pressure piled on, alcohol became his crutch and of course he couldn't go on like that forever. Peyton, having experience in the addiction area, knocked some sense into Avery, which lead to him getting help.

While I really appreciated that they waited to explore their attraction until Avery was in a bit of a better place, and Peyton wasn't the cure for Avery's problems, I would have loved to see a bit more of them actually being in a working relationship. It was all so focused on therapy and dealing with grief / Peyton's trauma around his addicted mom, that I missed a bit of that all-in feeling, the caretaking and the I'll love you no matter what. I especially could have done without the drama around the I love you's, there was enough already without that. This is just the kind of story where I really would have loved at the very least an epilogue a few years in the future, with them enjoying life again and doing great together.

So while I did like Peyton and Avery together, I would read this story more for the grief journey of Avery than the romance.

[LC]

Next Man Up
By L.A. Witt

How do you move on after a tragic loss? When his best friend and teammate is gone without warning, Avery will have to dig deep to find his path forward.

Avery met Lief in major juniors and then Leif got him to Pittsburgh. Everything in hockey, every memory, every big moment had Leif in it. How was he supposed to be captain now?

Peyton came to the Whiskey Rebels expecting a new start with some of his idols in hockey. He didn’t expect this grief, this heavy tangible presence to be in the locker room or on the ice. How did a team move on after such a huge loss?

This book had me crying from the beginning. The grief on page is so deep that you can feel it. A lot might find that is off putting in a book, but I think it has its purpose. The grief of the story sets the stage for Avery’s fall and his healing. The empathy and knowledge that Peyton has brings them closer together. The story itself brings grief into the forefront. How as a society we are conditioned to feel certain ways, to get over it quickly, to not talk about it, or to be ashamed of how it affects us. I think L.A. Witt did a great job putting the spotlight on grief and how it isn’t something that you just get over. Grieving is a process that doesn’t come with a manual.

As to for Avery and Peyton, they had to find their own way to each other. They each had something to heal from. I loved that counseling was a big part of both of their stories. I loved that Avery used the resources around him to find healing instead of continuing to suffer. Peyton was the rock and comfort that Avery needed. Their budding romance made for happy moments in the book. I enjoyed the depth of feeling this book brought. It is both painful and comforting in its entirety.

[Ana Silva]

It took me a few tries to get through this book. Not because it wasn’t good, but because I was a wreck.

I couldn’t hold back the tears reading Avery’s bone deep grief for his best friend. It was just heartbreaking how much he struggled with Leif’s death.

Losing someone so close to you in such a tragic and sudden way would break anyone. But losing the person you basically grew up with and played with everyday, just hits a lot harder.

Grief is such a tricky emotion. Everyone deals with it differently and in their own time. Avery trying to be strong for those around him only pushed him to break down faster.

Alcohol is never a good substitute to deal with your emotions, but he felt he didn’t have an option. He wanted to not be in pain and drinking was the only way he could cope.

Payton was such a Godsend to Avery. Even knowing how bad things could get between them as teammates, Payton saw the signs of someone on the verge of losing himself and did what he thought was the right thing to do.

It was hard reading how much Avery struggled but thankfully he was willing to get some help. He might have been angry at Payton for meddling, but eventually he understood he was going down a road that could cost him everything.

I loved how L.A. tackled the importance of therapy in this story. We need to break the stigma that we are only allowed to grieve deeply only when it’s a spouse or a family member. A loss is loss no matter what kind. And seeing a therapist doesn’t make us weak.

We’re allowed to mourn and fall apart after losing someone important to us and nobody has the right to say which is the right way to grieve them.

[Mariah]

Dnf @ 50% chapter 23

I’m disappointed that I’m stopping because I really wanted to like this book but I am bored. Avery and Peyton are barely connecting and I don’t actually feel like there’s any romantic connection at all. Having the first half of the book be Avery struggling with alcoholism and Peyton being the only one noticing and then getting him help doesn’t feel like a great relationship foundation.

I don’t feel like we really know either of these guys. Avery’s character right now is struggling with so much but that’s all he is. I don’t know anything about him other than that he’s devastated and he plays hockey. Peyton is obnoxious. He’s self righteous and his whole approach to Avery’s alcoholism is rooted in past trauma which was leaning really heavy toward confirmation bias. I mean he sees Avery drunk two times, months apart and is telling multiple people Avery has a drinking problem.

So far this book could’ve been cut a hundred pages easily. It’s incredibly repetitive, I mean whole statements and scenes just almost verbatim repeated. There’s also been grammatical errors that should’ve been caught by a proofreader or editor.

I like LA Witt and the description of this book really pulled me in but I’m just not feeling anything. It’s not keeping me interested and I just don’t really feel like these guys even like each other.

As much as I love sports romance, this book is way too hockey heavy. There’s so many pages of hockey games that it almost reads like a hockey book with a side of personal trauma and zero romance.

[Terri]

This is a wonderful story. Avery and Peyton are wonderful characters, and I cared about them immediately.
We meet Leif at the start of the book, and even that brief scene shows how close he and Avery are. Of course Avery is going to be devastated when Leif unexpectedly dies, but he doesn't think he has the right to be as broken as he is.
Peyton has his own baggage and is quick to notice that Avery is going down a self-destructive path as he tries to mask the intensity of his grief. These two clash and then come together as Peyton works to convince Avery that it's okay to ask for help. (I appreciate the time and discussion the author gives to promote that message.)
The slow move to friendship and then more is full of heartbreak, heartache, heat, and even humor. The hockey world these men exist in is exciting and full of pressure, but I appreciate that it isn't homophobic. I love Leif's widow Rachel, as well as the other members of the Whiskey Rebels, their coach, and Peyton's ex-boyfriend. Most of all, I love Avery and Peyton, and I'm so happy and satisfied with their eventual path to healing and happiness - and the changes that occur for both of them. This is a terrific romance with a message, and I hope it gets the attention it deserves.

[Beth]

Emotional, powerful story

This was a gripping read. It was tough, emotional, brutal, ugly. But it also pointed out the power of friendship, love, caring, kindness, and empathy. And I particularly liked the way it emphasized mental health, baggage, and toxic masculinity without sounding like a soapbox. I can’t imagine what the author went through when faced with a real life situation that mirrored her manuscript but I think she navigated a tough situation well.

I read this in the aftermath of the Heated Rivalry TV series mania. I had read that excellent series a while ago and I watched the series a couple of times. I mean this in the most complimentary way to both franchises to say I did a lot of picturing of Shane and Ilya, as portrayed in the series, here. Both authors, and the series director, did a great job in my mind of portraying grief and strong emotions in an environment not necessarily conducive to them well. It’s nice that Witt’s universe skipped the homophobia part and got to concentrate on other issues but both are important and highly recommended reads.

[Didi Ps]

Avery Caldwell, in the blink of an eye, has lost just about everything. His entire world has been upended, but still, he tries to do what he needs to do to continue.

Peyton Hall was looking forward to working with people he’s admired for so long, but it’s a challenge finding where he belongs after what happened to his new team.

There’s clearly chemistry between them, but is it possible to even think about this, with everything they’re dealing with?

Is there a way they can be there for one another?

The ceremonial puck drop for Early?
Avery, in the locker room after the first game?
I was just crying as I read about this...

Peyton might want to help Avery (especially with his past experience), but can he help Avery? Can Avery decide that he needs help, that it’s okay to... just not be okay?

Wow... Lovely story... Poignant, sweet, heartbreaking & happy all at once...

I received this free ARC, and this is my honest review.

[Fedora]

NEXT MAN UP by LA Witt is a stunning portrait of the aftermath of loss and the beauty that can grow and flourish despite and in the midst of that. Avery Caldwell is a first-line winger for the Pittsburgh Whiskey Rebels. One minute he’s chirping his best friend and linemate, the next he’s trying to fill role of captain in his stead while facing down the gaping agony of grief that threatens constantly to overwhelm him and his shattered teammates. Peyton Hall is thrust into this unexpectedly painful situation as a newly traded center, unsure how to best support his new teammates while also trying to play his best hockey.

LA Witt’s unflinching look at the pain that is a natural result of loving and losing someone and the ways people and players are taught to cope results in a page-turning story that is hard to put down. Peyton and Avery and their team do not face an easy season, but their journey is ultimately not simply hopeful but quietly triumphant.

An excellently written read for the keeper shelf.

[ButtonsMom2003]

★彡 𝟓 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒 彡★

I absolutely loved every heart-wrenching minute of reading this story. I can’t remember the last time that I shed so many tears while reading a book. Some of them were sad tears but most of them were just because this story really hit me with all the feels and touched my emotions deeply. If you’ve read the blurb then you already know that the story begins with a tragedy but the rest of the story is about healing and romance.

I love how this story gave positive representation for mental health issues and getting therapy when it’s needed. It’s a great slow-burn romance with a nice amount of heat but it’s so much more than a romance and it was absolutely worth every single tear I shed while reading it. This one is going to stick with me for a while.

While I received a review copy of this book from the author, I had already pre-ordered it from Amazon.