The Book Club Boyfriend

Must Love Hockey #2

by Kendall Ryan

She doesn’t believe in love. He doesn’t believe in losing.
Let the games begin.

Scarlett “Scottie” Calloway built her career writing books about why women don’t need men. Romance? Overrated. Soulmates? A marketing ploy. The last thing she wants is to spend a summer co-hosting a romance book club with an arrogant, insufferably handsome hockey player who thinks he knows a thing or two about love. Immediate no.

Chase Remington lives for three hockey, winning, and pushing Scarlett’s buttons. He’s never met a challenge he couldn’t charm his way through—until her. The queen of anti-romance loathes him, and frankly? He’s having the time of his life getting under her skin.

But when a PR stunt forces them together, their battle of wits turns into something far more dangerous—an attraction neither can afford. She swears she won’t fall. He bets she will.

By summer’s end, only one will be right.
And if there’s one thing they do have in common?
Neither likes to lose.The Book Club Boyfriend is a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers sports romance featuring professional athletes, shameless flirting, and a hero who falls first—and hard. Expect banter, chemistry, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

What to
• Grumpy/Sunshine Dynamic
• Banter as Foreplay
• Peanut Butter Bribery
• He Falls First
• A Wingman with Paws

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Sports Romance, Sports, Hockey, Hockey Romance, Enemies To Lovers

352 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2025

About the author

Kendall Ryan is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of flirty, feel-good romance filled with heart, heat, and plenty of banter. An American author who has lived all over the world, her books have sold millions of copies and been translated into multiple languages. She writes swoony heroes, bold heroines, and stories that make you laugh, blush, and fall in love. When she’s not dreaming up new plotlines, she is a proud mom to two amazing sons and the wife of her real-life hero.


VISIT MY AMAZON PAGE
https://www.amazon.com/Kendall-Ryan/e...

VISIT MY FACEBOOK!
www.facebook.com/kendallryanbooks

FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM!
www.instagram.com/kendallryan1

GET 2 FREE READS!
www.kendallryanbooks.com/freebooks

Reviews

[Jena · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate to be overly negative when it comes to arc reviews, but this book really did me in. It's the type of romance novel that makes me forget that the genre can have originality and depth, and I think that alone says enough.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review

[kaitlyns_library · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good, but the multiple epilogues became exhausting.

[BONNIE SMITH · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick and satisfying little listen, The Book Club Boyfriend has all the perfect rom com components.

Grumpy versus Sunshine
Frienemies to lovers
A lovable, if disloyal pet to MMC
Hockey player versus author (this is the stuff my friends)
and a slow, slllloooow burn.

I had just finished up a deep, dark academia tale and this was the perfect reset with meet cutes and funny banter. The narration was perfect with rotating POVs.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape media for a copy to listen to!

[BookSiren Baddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute concept and packed with laugh-out-loud moments. Liam is adorable, sweet, a little awkward, and totally committed to winning her over. Where it lost me a bit was Sophie. The setup promises "book-smart and career-focused," but she comes across as more insecure than self-assured. If she really loved her life as it was, I wanted to see her own it, happy, successful, and unworried, not constantly second guessing herself.

If you’re here for a charming small-town vibes, and a sweet, feel-good story, you’ll enjoy this one.
On spice: pretty mild. A few kisses, some longing glances, but nothing explicit.
Fun read, but could have been better.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS. WAS. AMAZING!!

OK... so I do love my happily ever after books...

BUT, this one was about an author (who basically writes all about being on your own and NOT needing a man for anything) and a well-known Hockey Player.
They both escape for a month to a beach town to try and get some peace and quiet.

SHE needs to write, as she is late with her next book and kind of hopeless on new ideas.

HE needs to escape from the hustle and bustle for a little while, before getting back into the daily grind. And, he brings his big, opinionated, fluffy, sweet dog!!

She is Scarlett Calloway. She wants nothing more than to be left alone to do her thing. But, she meets him (Chase Remington) on day one... and that's ok. She is NOT here to flirt, or be nice, or do ANYTHING other than write!

But, when a cruel PR trick puts the two of them together in a Book Club setting where they discuss Hockey Books and Romance, as well as all sorts of other tropes... well, all bets are off!
And the worst part? This is happening weekly for a whole month!! The more times they appear, the more it seems to be getting out of hand!!

But, as time goes on, she seems to soften... just a little. And he thinks that maybe, just maybe, there might be some hope!

As time goes on and the month ends, they remain in contact. But, she thinks that now that they are back home, it will come to an end quickly. It does not...
And then, she is invited to one of his hockey games!
And, even more surprising is that SHE is at the walls... banging on them and calling out the refs and players on the other team for playing dirty!!! 😮🫣😉 He. Is. Shocked!! And.. he loves it!!

I'm going to stop it right here, but this will give you the gist of it! If it's something that interests you, please do NOT pass this one by!! It was just... perfect!
And I thought that nothing else would surprise me at this point... yet this one did!! And made my heart all mushy all over...

5 bold, hockey-stick-breaking, calling-out-the-umps, locker-room-drama, sweet, friendly, heartbreakingly, dog-adjacent, adorable stars for me!!!

#TheBookClubBoyfriend by @KendallRyan and narrated wonderfully by @CJBloom and @RyanWest.

This one has been released already, so look 👀 for it on shelves now!!

Thanks so much to my local library for the lend!!

You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!!

And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️📖🩷

[Anita Byars · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the ultimate slow-burn romance in this enemies-to-lovers tale. It has the perfect blend of heart, charm, and witty banter that crackles and sizzles. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, and the hero, along with his four-legged companion Rip, is utterly smitten with the woman who makes a living writing books about why women don’t need men.

This is Chase Remington and Scarlett ”Scottie” Calloway’s journey to a HEA and I fell so hard for these two along the way!!

Scottie Calloway, struggling with writer’s block, embarks on a month-long vacation at a lake cottage in Michigan. However, her peaceful retreat is disrupted when she encounters her neighbor, a charming and arrogant hockey player for the Dallas Stampede.

After a month of avoiding and fantasizing about her charismatic neighbor, she unexpectedly finds herself paired up with Chase in a Stampede book club PR stunt when she returns home.

Entertaining with lots of witty banter between Scarlett and Chase, as well as enough sexual tension to melt the pages. Every interaction, every snarky remark, every stolen glance… it was all so perfect. I giggled. I smiled. I laughed, and I fell hard for these two and so will you!

I received an early copy from the author and this is my honest review!!

[Afton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was overall a cute hockey romance. It was a bit dragging in parts, especially the endings, and the burn was slowwwwwwwww. The overall plot was good but I felt like I wanted a bit more in most parts - more energy, more passion, more wow factor.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many of my favorite tropes:
- grumpy x sunshine
- sports romance
- enemies to lovers

Told from dual POV, Scottie and Chase are two totally different vibes. Scottie is a jaded writer who is anti-relationship and anti-man. Chase is a golden retriever in human form.

I loved how this relationship developed. Their banter as top notch, making me laugh out loud multiple times. The author managed to take so many common tropes but not making them typical. It was really enjoyable being surprised by both characters. Scottie's growth was healing to me, and while I've already found my Chase, it was really heartwarming and hopeful.

Thank you Dreamscape Media for providing this audio book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Marina Skinner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this was the most amazing, entertaining story!
Scottie is something else entirely and I’d love to be her friend!
Chase is the charming professional hockey player!
The sparks fly when they meet and honestly the banter is top notch!
I found these two to be like chalk and cheese! But together in a room with an audience at a book club, well they both give as much as they get!
I wholeheartedly loved this book and honestly felt for Scottie too!
Make sure you put this book high on your tbr list!

[Mia Book Addict · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enemies to lovers. A sunshiney hockey player. A grumpy, romance-hating writer. And a small town filled with book club chaos. Sounds like a good time, right? The Book Club Boyfriend definitely delivers on the charm and humor—but it didn’t completely steal my heart.

We meet Scarlett “Scottie” Calloway, an author who built her entire career proving that women don’t need men to be happy (love that for her!). She’s smart, stubborn, and a little too convinced that romance is a scam. Enter Chase Remington—a professional hockey player with golden retriever energy, a heart of gold, and a habit of getting under Scottie’s skin. When they’re forced to co-host a summer romance book club, sparks fly… and not the kind Scottie is ready to admit to.

The setup had everything I love: witty banter, a slow burn that teases just enough, and a hero who falls first (and hard). Chase was such a sweetheart—patient, funny, and endlessly determined to make Scottie smile. But I’ll be honest, there were moments where I struggled with Scottie’s attitude. I get her whole “love is a distraction” thing, but girl… let the poor man breathe! She could be downright prickly for no real reason at times, which made it hard to root for her.

That said, the overall story was cute, easy to read, and had plenty of heart. I adored the book club scenes, the meddling side characters, and the gentle humor woven throughout. The chemistry was there, but it leaned more “sweet” than “steamy,” so if you prefer your romances on the clean side, this one will hit the spot.

Was I completely obsessed? Not quite. But I still smiled my way through it and closed the book feeling good—and honestly, sometimes that’s exactly what you need.

Happy reading!

Would I recommend this book: Yes
Would I re-read this book: Maybe
Would I read future books by this author: Yes

[BookAddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scottie Calloway writes books about empowering women and affirming they don’t need a man to be happy, but she's having a bout of writer's block. She takes a month-long vacation at a lake cottage in Michigan, only to find her neighbor is a gregarious, egotistical hockey player for the Dallas Stampede.

After a month of dividing her time between being annoyed by/avoiding Chase Remington and drooling over him, she heads back home only to be roped into the Stampede's book club PR stunt. And of course, she's paired up with Chase.

The epic banter makes this one is so much fun. Scottie is sassy, prickly, and sarcastic, and Chase has the same personality as his golden retriever with the addition of an irreverent smirk, hidden depths, and a big marshmallow heart. Lighthearted and fun but with hidden depths, this story of finding oneself and healing the past will be your new favorite read.

[Melanie (mells_view) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Book Club Boyfriend was good. It didn’t blow me away, but I was able to listen to the audiobook and the narrators both did a great job getting me invested in the “Will they? Won’t they?” of their enemies to lovers dynamic. They really sold me on the tension of it all. The heroine had been hurt before, so she’s sort of a love non-believer. The hero has always just been a good time, but with his friend settling down and wanting to settle more on his career he is looking at love and relationships a different way. These two end up “getting away” on the same lake shore at the same time. After a series of not so sweet encounters they get used to having each other around.

Like I said, this story was good. I think it was just missing something to make it GREAT. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a lower spice read, but wants that angsty “I don’t like you” romance journey.

AVAILABLE NOW!
*ALC from Libro.fm

[Hollyanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Book Club Boyfriend is the second book in the Must Love Hockey series. This book is about Scarlett "Scottie" and Chase and is told from both of their points of view.

Scarlett and Chase meet when they are both away on a retreat to get a break from life. However, when they have an encounter in the grocery store, it does not start off well. Only to discover they are now neighbors.

Scarlett is a writer, who writes books about women not needing men, and Chase is a hockey player, who wants Scarlett from the beginning, and pushing her buttons is just as fun. When they end up working together will feelings start to develop between the two? Can Scarlett learn that having a man in her life isn't that bad?

I loved the banter between these two characters. As well, as the funny moments from Chase's dog. I am excited to continue on in this series!

[MissPetiteBrunetteBookBlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scarlett “Scottie” Calloway is not a romance writer. She considers herself a serious lady that writes about women being alone but her writers block has her going away for some R&R. Chase Remington has to clean up his hockey reputation and decides to take a trip to clear his head. They both end up in the same small town and their first impressions are not the best of each other so when she agrees to co host a romance book club with him he is a little shocked. Can this hockey hottie get this nonfiction writer to become a romance fan? What a cute and fun enemies to lovers, slow burn romance. Their banter is great and I really enjoyed her finding out that love isn’t a bad thing after all. Told in first person and dual POV.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

An author and a hockey player romance!

This book is really cute and sweet. No spicy scenes. I love a good enemies to lovers trope and this definitely delivers. It has the sass, the angst, humor, and romance that I think rounds out a good story.

Characters were well written. The story never dulled. It was interesting from start to finish. I found myself laughing and smiling at several parts during the story. And let’s let’s a round of applause for our side puppy Rip. (He’s a good boy!)

I listened to the audiobook version and I loved the narrators for this one. Ryan West and CJ Bloom are among my fave narrators. Production was well done.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape! I am loving hockey romance right now.

[Farah · Rating 4 out of 5]

When author Scarlett ("Scottie") goes away on a writing retreat, she doesn't expect her neighbour to be famous hockey player Chase. Considering Scottie writes books on how romance isn't needed for women, it isn't exactly getting the creative juices flowing having this hunky specimen next door. When Chase and Scottie front a PR stunt in the form of a book club meet, their witty banter explodes.

I adored these two characters. They were so opposite in personality but together, they clicked so well. Their banter was fabulous and had me grinning as I read through their interactions. Told through dual POVs, this charming enemies to lovers story had me already ready to pick up the next in the series.

[Stephanie Villere · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Book Club Boyfriend, book 2 of the Must Love Hockey series is written by Kendall Ryan. KR is a favorite of mine for many reasons and this book tells all! It’s got lots of witty banter between Scarlett and Chase, as well as enough sexual tension to melt the pages. I literally stayed up all night to finish it before I flipped right back to page one to devour it again. The writer and hockey player get thrown together to cause friction but it totally sets them both aflame. I am now really looking forward to reading the next one in this perfect series! Grab it quick!

[Erin Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Star Review The Book Club Boyfriend (Must Love Hockey #2) by Kendall Ryan

This is writer Scarlett “Scottie” Calloway and hockey player Chase Remington’s enemies to lovers story.

The Book Club Boyfriend was a well written, entertaining story that ticked a numerous boxes for me.

I found both characters easy to relate to and it was entertaining to watch the push and pull dynamic as their relationship developed.

There was plenty of heat, the banter witty and I quickly became invested in their story.

[Jessica Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟 I was not familiar with this author, but I saw the title and was interested. Then, I saw the hockey player...this was a cute, cozy romance. It was predictable with the very obvious enemy to lovers trope and the bet (How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, anyone?), but still a fun listen nonetheless! I likely would read other titles by Ryan!

[Mallory Moureau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and Kendall Ryan for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute, slow burn, low angst, low spice book.

The FMC is a writer focusing on how woman don’t need a man to be happy. The MMC is a hockey star whose reputation could use help.

After running into each other at their respective monthlong lakefront cabin rentals they keep crossing paths and pushing buttons. They start to voluntarily spend time together and then the MMC oversteps and they part without speaking again. Fast forward a few weeks and they’re being forced together for a book club through the MMCs hockey team and the FMCs agent.

Enemies to lovers and grumpy sunshine trope lovers rejoice and they’re officially “shipped” by the bookclub.

The book was a cute easy read. Very low stakes and while enjoyable left me wanting a little more.

The audio narrators did a good job. The male voice sometimes felt a little performative but I don’t get to listen to as many male voices so that might be normal.

[Rachelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was decent. I felt like some of the plot was missing and things didnt always add up. I enjoyed Chase and Scotty as a whole. I liked the premise behind it, a love doubter who writes about independent woman who don't need love and hockey player who's a hopeless flirt are reluctantly teamed up for some PR. It was just missing something. I didnt really connect with the characters at all, but the dog was the best side character. I did listen to this on audio and enjoyed the narrators.

Thank you to libr.io for the gifted copy.

[Caitlynn Baysinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

So cute!!! The writing in the last 30% of the book was not great in my opinion. The first 70% of the book was darling, though!!

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh this one was nice but it just fell flat for me. I wasn’t invested.

[Hailey Vandermyde · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Book Club Boyfriend was such a sweet Rom Com. Relatable, witty banter, easily read as a standalone. The audio was available on Hoopla, and the voice actors were chefs kiss 💋 🤌🏻

[Sara Lorentz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun quick romcom read but annoying that it was a copy/paste of the first book.

[Amour.Rebelle.Reads (Bran.d) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enemies-to-lovers perfection! The Book Club Boyfriend gives us everything—banter that crackles, chemistry that builds slow and hot, and a hero who’s absolutely gone for the girl who swears she doesn’t believe in love. Scarlett’s cynicism meets Chase’s charm in a battle of wits that turns into so much more, and I was hooked from the first page.

Chase falls first (and hard), and I adored how he slowly broke through Scarlett’s walls with teasing grins, shameless flirting, and maybe a little peanut butter bribery. Rip is the ultimate four-legged wingman—he’s the bestest boy and he completely stole my heart.🐾

It’s a deliciously slow burn with the perfect mix of humor, heart, and heat. Kendall keeps delivering stories that make me smile, swoon, and root for every single Stampede player. I am truly loving this series, and I can’t wait to see who falls next!

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sporty, sexy, and irresistibly playful!⁣
⁣
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐁 𝐁𝐎𝐘𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐃 is a passionate enemies-to-lovers romance starring Scarlett, a frustrated, world-weary writer who’s built a career on not believing in love, and Chase, the hard-bodied, irresistible charmer determined to change her mind.⁣
⁣
The writing is sweet and light. The characters are fun-loving, endearing, and kind. And the plot is a perfect blend of heat, drama, emotion, humour, snappy banter, sparkling chemistry, friendship, love, and hockey.⁣
⁣
Overall, 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐁 𝐁𝐎𝐘𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐃 is a passionate, sassy, heartfelt addition to the Must Love Hockey series by Ryan, that I thoroughly enjoyed, and which is a fantastic pick for anyone craving a romcom packed with hope, humour, and heart.⁣

[Anoeska Nossol · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

This story is very blank. It has a good base, but there isn't enough depth. Not in the plot, nor in the characters. For a slow burn, there wasn't much build up.
It was okay. But nothing that will stick with me, nor separates itself from a bunch of others in the genre.

[Reading is escaping reality · Rating 5 out of 5]

She’s a jaded romance author (ironic, right?). After hitting a serious case of writer’s block, she decides she needs some time away a reset. Little did she know, she’d meet the guy who would help her in every way possible!

This story was just so cute and heartwarming. I couldn’t get enough of it the chemistry, the growth, the way it all came together. It’s the perfect mix of sweet and swoony!

[audrey ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the relationship between Scottie and Chase. Their banter was really entertaining and I LOVE foxes proximity. The story overall wasn’t super impactful but it was nice to see Scottie’s growth and how she allowed herself to change her opinions without losing who she is.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC!