Blocked Shot: A Forbidden Love Hockey Romance

by Rachel Anthony

When Natalie Mitchell’s 18-year-old brother Jesse is drafted to play professional hockey, she packs up her life, her patience, and her ibuprofen to help him chase his dream.

Falling for one of his teammates? Not part of the plan.

But Jake MacDonald isn’t just any teammate. He’s a seasoned enforcer with a bruised past and a quiet intensity that draws Natalie in from the moment they meet. He’s supposed to be Jesse’s mentor, not the man who makes her heart race and her resolve crumble.

From the second Jake lays eyes on Natalie, he knows he’s in trouble. She’s smart, loyal, and completely off-limits. But when sparks ignite and lines blur, keeping his distance becomes impossible.

As secrets unravel and Jesse spirals, Jake is left fighting for more than just his place on the team—he’s fighting for the only woman who’s ever made him want something beyond the game.

A forbidden romance full of tension, heart, and undeniable heat—this is what happens when loyalty collides with love.

Book 1 in the witty, heart-melting Skate Me Home series.

Genres: Hockey, Sports, Sports Romance, Contemporary, Hockey Romance, Romance

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 21, 2025

Reviews

[♡❀Caroline. K❀♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

• Hockey Romance
• 3rd person POV
• 🌶️ 🌶️

Jake and Natalie's chemistry felt natural. I was giggling at some of their witty responses. I also enjoyed the dynamics of the side characters. It left me wanting a story between Theo and Mila. I liked how Mila had Theo feeling all flustered.
But, throughout the reading when there would be conflicts/ tension. The conflicts made sense, and the way everything was resolved felt completely appropriate.

I want to thank BookSirens and Rachel Anthony for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Amee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite trope, Blocked Shot follows Natalie as she gets her brother settled as a rookie on a hockey team. Jake is considered old as a seasoned enforcer on the team, so his Coach puts him in charge of keeping the new rookies in line. I just never understood why you wouldn’t want your sibling to date someone you respect and like. Sure if he’s a douche then yeah, but if you are friends with a douche that’s on you. I digress… Not my favorite trope, but I did enjoy their love story. I don’t cry often, and the angst was seriously low, but that 3rd act breakup got me. Excited for Jessie’s (Natalie’s brother) book next especially because he was so whiny in this.

[Chantel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the book could have used a dash more spice and a little less sibling confrontation. Other than that I do like the relationship between Jake and Natalie. Natalie seems to give with her whole heart and Jake was not what I was expecting he was so much more.
I love when a story surprises me like that.

[Holli D.W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a swoony Hockey romance, and this book didn’t disappoint!

The FMC is a selfless older sister who always put her younger brother’s needs and Dreams before her own.

After she connects instantly with a handsome stranger one night, only to discover the next day he is her brothers teammate… things get a little complicated. For one thing, he’s “off limits”, but she keeps running into him. And even if she keeps saying no in her mind, her heart keeps whispering yes.

This book was just what you’d expect from a steamy forbidden love Hockey romance. Ranging from ice cold brawls and steaming hot bedroom scenes, it was an overall fun read.

Thank you BookSirens for the advance review copy. I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kirstie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to start by saying thank you to Rachel for sending me an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review. I give this book 4⭐️ with a spice rating of 🌶️🌶️.5.

A captivating slow-burn hockey romance with a fresh perspective on love, family, and second chances. At its core, this isn't just a sports romance—it's a beautiful, messy story about two people navigating life's unexpected twists.

With its blend of emotional depth, steamy scenes, and a truly unforgettable cast of characters, this book is perfect for anyone who loves a slow-burn romance with a lot of heart. It’s a story of finding your own life while still holding onto the ones you love, and the hopeful message that true love can be found even in the most unexpected places.

[Kaity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow….!

[Jenn Ciecko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Rachel for the ARC! My first read by this author and she left me wanting more. I’m a sucker for a good hockey romance.

This book takes place in 3rd POV. Natalie finds herself with more alone time than she knows what to do with after her little brother Jesse moves away to pursue his hockey dreams. Cue Jake, the perfect eye-candy who also just happens to be Jesse’s new hockey teammate and mentor. Natalie told herself she would never get involved with Jesse’s teammates/coaches. But will she follow her own rules? Read “Blocking Shots” and find out for yourself!

While I thought the book contained a good amount of spice, I rated it a 4 due to the book focusing strongly on the brother/sister relationship. While it’s important the book contains good character development, the focus on Natalie and Jesse’s relationship took away from the romance at times.

[Gillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blocked Shot is the kind of sports romance that keeps the heat high and the emotions even higher. Jake immediately grabbed my attention—he’s got the same swagger as Jake Taylor from Major League, but layered with vulnerability, emotional intelligence, and that perfect mix of teasing and charm that makes him the definition of a book boyfriend. He’s sexy without being shallow, and funny without losing depth. Poor Natalie—if she can handle her protective little brother—gets the full package all to herself.

What I especially loved was how Rachel Anthony blended tropes without overloading them. There’s just enough forbidden love to make your heart race, a touch of forced proximity to crank up the sparks, and plenty of instant lust that builds into delicious sexual tension. Instead of feeling like a checklist, it all fits seamlessly into a story that’s both playful and heartfelt.

This book delivers both the banter and the swoon-worthy moments that romance readers crave. If you like your heroes confident but kind, your heroines caught in complicated situations, and your romance laced with just enough angst to keep you turning pages, Blocked Shot is well worth the read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natalie hasn't been on her own since her parents passed. Now she's helping to move her brother to Hartford. Playing hockey is all he's ever wanted, and now he's going to finally live his dream. Jake knows his career is nearing its end, but hockey is all he's ever known. Is he ready for something new, or can he prove he's still good enough. This is a story that will have you laughing, crying, and a bit hot. It's a story of team spirit, friendship, and family. Natalie's been both a sister and parent to her brother. Can she really choose love over him. Can she ever admit she deserves happiness as well. Will Jakes career and a chance at the NHL prove to much. Sit back and see if love really does conquer all. Or will it end in heartbreak. I really hope we'll get more of Mila's story and maybe even Jesse's

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the free ARC via BookSirens. I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

I love hockey romances, so I requested this one as soon as I saw it. I’m a sucker for the tough guy on the ice who is soft off of it, so I loved the way Jake, the enforcer, mentored the rookies without complaint and I loved that he was so open with Natalie that he couldn’t stop thinking about her. I felt so bad for Jake that he kept putting himself out there to get rejected initially.

I loved Jake overall. He was perfect. No notes. Jesse, on the other hand, was ridiculous. Natalie was his doormat for years, and he was such an ungrateful ass who had such over-the-top reactions. He was infuriating. Natalie’s constant catering to him and refusing to blame him for the fallout was also infuriating. But I absolutely felt the longing and heartbreak, especially for Natalie. I found myself actually tearing up at some parts.

I loved that Natalie had a best friend she could rely on, but the name Mila just doesn’t naturally shorten to Mil for me (to me, Mila is MEE-lah while Mil is Mill). I hope the next book is Mila’s story. She was a great friend to Natalie, and I loved the way she would take charge.

From a stylistic perspective, I like when books have a lot of short chapters like this one did. I liked the text message snippets at the beginning of most chapters, too. Each chapter indicates which character will be the focus (Natalie or Jake) but it’s all told in third person present tense, which always seems jarring to me and I don’t think it worked here for me.

I really enjoyed the author’s writing, though. Imagery like “three young guys are doing their best impression of melting ice cream” and the subsequent descriptions of each guy individually was so perfect.

There were some errors that should hopefully be caught in editing. At the end of chapter 8, there are duplicate pages (or slightly different versions of the same info) about when Jake recognizes Jesse. There were some typos, like “coach” instead of “couch” and “few” instead of “a few” (changing the entire meaning of the sentence) and an occasional issue with spacing or punctuation (I noticed an instance where the sentence ended with both an exclamation point and a period), but they weren’t egregious.

There were also some random details I struggled with, like when Jake was doing dishes and it said he still had soap suds on his hands and then in that same scene he was running his hands through his hair (I’m going to also pretend he didn’t have a man bun out of personal preference); or how Jake slept on the floor after breaking his ribs; or the making out in the morning with one of the descriptions of the kiss being “tasting” (eew…”tasting” morning breath?).

I cringed a little when Pavel said his New Year’s resolution was to learn better English and Jake says, “Me and the guys will help you.” Gah! For a guy who is supposedly well-read, that horrible grammar while offering to help someone learn English killed me.

But all these issues are minor, and I will absolutely read more if this really is a series since I loved this one.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natalie and Jake . . .

When Natalie Mitchell’s 18-year-old brother, Jesse, has an opportunity to play professional hockey with the Hartford Whalers, she accompanies him to his new apartment as he prepares for this big change in his life. He boasts to her that he will take care of washing his own laundry since the apartment includes a washer and dryer. He even says he will cook meals but she doesn’t bother to argue with him since that would never happen! But when he asks what she will do with all her spare time now, her thoughts are both thrilling and terrifying! Noticing all the critical items Jesse never thought to bring, they went to the store to buy a spatula, can opener, cookware, laundry detergent, and a plunger! They ordered pizza for dinner and Natalie cooked up chicken parm to stock his fridge and freezer. And she hired a cleaning service the team recommended. When Jesse went to practice the next day, Natalie’s friend Mila called and insisted she go out to a bar or somewhere to meet a guy on her last night here.

Jake MacDonald sat at the bar with his beer. He hadn’t planned on coming out tonight. But his empty apartment depressed him, so with no plans, he just left and let his feet take him wherever. Now he’s in the bar and ready to head home. He notices a group of young guys, one of them crowding a woman who is definitely not interested. At the other end of the bar, he notices a woman reading a book! As he is ready to leave, he sees the young guys surround the woman he had been noticing. They are making her uncomfortable. As he asks them to leave, one knocks against her and spills wine on her book. Jake orders her a fresh drink and they sit at a small table together. She admits she will be leaving town in a couple of days. He tells her he is here for a short-term job in construction. Neither realize until later that Jake is actually one of Jesse’s teammates who will be mentoring some of the up and coming rookie hockey players. They finish their drinks and have another round before the evening is ended.

After facing difficulties among Natalie, Jesse, and Jake trying to sort out their relationships, any decisions are taken out of Natalie’s hands when Jake ends up traded to the San Diego Coyotes and would be playing in the NHL tonight. Will this be the end of his seeing Natalie? Is the chance for them to find a HEA together over? Or is she finally ready to make a decision about her own happiness?

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story delivers exactly what it promises in the blurb. As someone who not only loves hockey romance and the brother's teammate trope, but actually loves hockey, Rachel Anthony delivers. Personally, I appreciated the depth of authenticity of an older player going back to AHL with a two-way contract and the perspective of having to hustle harder when you're known as an enforcer. If none of that made sense, don't worry, you'll still understand the story, lol. There's an understated beauty in the contrast of Jake's character potentially nearing the end of his career and Jesse on the cusp of heading the the big leagues of the NHL.

But, the real reason you should read this book is for the beauty of Anthony's writing. There's an emotional tenderness and sensuality that feels like the slow burn leading to a first whisper soft kiss, that although it never connects, leaves you yearning.

Jake isn't portrayed like other enforcers who are tough on the ice, but sweet off of it. He isn't brash or misunderstood. He's just a solid, stable man who finds in Natalie, the woman who won't leave his mind. As for Natalie, there a maturity beyond her years. She has sacrificed for Jesse, been burned in the past, and has some realistic fears about the way her life and purpose are changing. The choices that they have to make aren't overly dramatic in the presentation, rather quietly devastating enough to have moved me to tears. Not so much because it's sad, but because it's heartbreaking in it's reality.

Overall, I cannot recommend this story strongly enough because it touched my heart. I love books that are a good read, but this one is impactful! I don't want to give anything away, just know going in that this one will rip you apart before it puts you back together. And I can't wait to read more by Rachel Anthony!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Melissa Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blocked Shot is the debut novel from author Rachel Anthony

The story of Natalie and Jake kicks off with a meet cute at a bar where Natalie is reading a book Jake is hoping not to be recognized as a once NHL superstar turned farm team player.

The plot thickens as Jake never tells Natalie what he does for work (honestly it’s a tired trope of the hockey player wanting to enjoy anonymity) and Natalie maintains she’ll only be around for a few days… queue the hot stranger danger sexy times…. Until Natalie’s teenage brother who happens to be Jake’s teammate calls for help.

The story reads from the oldest daughter perspective and I resonate with that so much. Natalie is always taking care of everything and everyone aside from herself and when Jake tries to be there for her it’s like an instant wall going up because the oldest daughter has no idea what it’s like to be taken care of.

Natalie and Jake suffer through some heartbreak - hello remember not telling her he’s a hockey player and her brother is one too on the same team….

We get a third act breakup (kinda) and then a gesture of love from Natalie to Jake. Natalie and Jake get their HEA with the two of them moving to the same city.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Rachel is able to weave a beautiful story of family responsibility vs living your life. I wouldn’t say this is a hockey romance more hockey adjacent

I don’t like books that are written in the third person so but that’s just my personal preference. I enjoyed the book so much that it didn’t bother me too much.

Consider reading this book if you want to read a light yet meaningful love letter to an oldest daughter and her journey towards love and allowing herself to be loved

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

[Star-Book Reviewer]

A perfect title for this book because unfortunately thirty-five year old hockey player Jake MacDonald kept getting blocked every time he thought he was finally going to get close to Natalie Mitchell. Jake comes to Natalie’s rescue in a bar in Hartford and they are instantly attracted to each other without exchanging a lot of their personal information but before things can go very far Natalie gets a call from her younger brother, Jesse, and needs to go get him. She’s been his guardian since their parents died five years ago but he’s now eighteen and has just signed with the Hartford Whales, a farm team associated with the Brooklyn Mavericks National Hockey team. Natalie leaves Jake thinking she will never see him again although he does give her his number but soon she learns he’s also on the Whales team and has just been assigned to mentor Jesse and two other young rookies. No matter how attracted these two are to each other, Natalie can’t get past what it will do to Jesse. Jake doesn’t give up but finally he must face what Natalie decides and circumstances beyond his control may be his final “blocked shot” unless he reads the book. Yes, you will have to get this book to understand that but it’s well worth it!

If you are a hockey fan, I think you will enjoy this book. If you’re a romantic, I know you will enjoy this book. If you like your book boyfriends with lots of swagger and enough protectiveness and possessiveness to charm any lady, one who is emotionally vulnerable yet able to recognize when he needs to be strong for the one he loves then I’m absolutely sure you’ll love Jake. If you enjoy lots of sexy, teasing banter as well as playful moments mixed with deeper emotional moments then don’t hesitate on this book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Emily Knaus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blocked Shot is a slow-burn hockey romance with a forbidden edge and family-first attitude. This story isn’t just a romance — it’s a balancing act between ambition, loyalty, and the kind of love that sneaks up when no one’s looking. Jake is every bit the broody older hockey mentor, and Natalie? She’s the epitome of quiet strength, torn between protecting her younger brother Jesse and following her own long-shelved desires.

The chemistry between Jake and Natalie is the slow kind that simmers beneath the surface until it boils over — in hushed glances, shared desires, and moments that feel more stolen than any slapshot. The age gap brings delicious tension, but the emotional layers make it unforgettable. There is a lot of push and pull - Natalie is utterly torn; she feels like she can’t have it all because it would mean losing someone in the end. Jake is persistent and wants to be there for her in any way he can. Natalie’s indecision does affect him negatively at times, but she more than makes up for it in the end.

Natalie’s younger brother Jesse adds an emotional weight that grounds the story. His distrust of Jake with his sister’s heart, which isn’t shown in the best way, really enhances his protective instinct over Natalie. To him, feeling betrayed by those who he cares about deepest aren’t just obstacles — they’re real, raw, and entirely understandable emotions. Watching all three characters navigate this tangle of hearts and loyalties gives this book its soul.

For lovers of sports romance with depth, slow burns, and messy kinds of love stories will eat this up. A huge thank you to Rachel Anthony and Book Sirens for the early copy!

[The.strawberry.bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

📖Book Review📖

Blocked Shot

This was an ok read, personally not my favourite. The spice was good and so was the relationship between the main characters. You could feel the chemistry between them and I loved that. The writing was smooth and flowing with short chapters (which I love). There was one part of the book that repeated it self but then again this was an arc (advanced reader copy) so I’m not going to hold that against it because it was genuinely a great book. I did love the chemistry between Natalie and Jake

Also them spicy scenes 😏🥵

Just over halfway through Natalie started to really annoy me with how she was constantly doing this back and forth with Jake. How she likes him but “couldn’t be with him”, kissing him and then pushing him away. I could see it was really hurting jake and her excuse for pushing him away was because of her brother, even tho he would get over it eventually.

I think the way Jesse reacted to what happened was really childish and I didn’t like it. The way he found out was not the best but his reaction to me was way over the top.

I would like to read more from this author, I do enjoy her writing style and the side characters (especially mila), so I would love to have their stories.

I was disappointed by the ending, everything was basically brushed under the rug, it felt a bit rushed and some parts at the end felt very jumpy (like the chapters jumped from one part to another)

Tropes

🏒Hockey romance
❤️‍🔥Forbidden love
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒Found family
🔥Slow burn
👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏼Age gap
😍He falls first
❤️‍🔥Caring for him after injury
🌶️Snowed in spicy times
🥅Brothers teammate
💪🏻Protective hero
😏Forced proximity
🛏️One bed
🚪Open door spice

Content warnings

✖️Death of parents
✖️Grief

3/3.5⭐️
1.5🌶️

[Stacey T · Rating 2 out of 5]

A slow-burn hockey romance (2.5*) about family and finding love unfolds as Natalie navigates life after a tragic accident takes her parents. She has sacrificed so much to raise her brother while working multiple jobs to support his dream of becoming a professional hockey player, leaving little room for her own romantic connections. On the other hand, Jake finds himself once again traded to a new hockey team, grappling with the reality of his 35-year-old body and the uncertainty of his future. Their paths cross unexpectedly, igniting a chemistry between them that feels electric. However, the revelation that Jake is one of her brother’s teammates threatens to unravel a possible future together. Can they work through Natalie’s fears? Will her brother embrace their relationship? What lies ahead for them in an unpredictable future?
As someone who has read countless hockey romances, I was eager to embrace this story, but it didn’t quite meet my expectations. A number of grammatical issues and unrealistic plot points diminished the overall experience, though these aspects could be greatly improved through careful editing. The chemistry between the main characters was palpable but often overshadowed by their indecisiveness. Natalie’s relationship with her brother, while touching, felt overwhelming at times and constrained her quest for happiness. Mila, on the other hand, was a delightful addition, injecting humor and honesty into the narrative. Ultimately, this story feels like a missed opportunity to deliver a truly impactful hockey romance.

[Lisa Christensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spice Level: 🌶️
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐1/2

If you’re looking for a new Hockey Romance series to read, I am going to recommend Blocked Shot. This is a new book by Rachel Anthony, and it has great characters in it from start to finish. Natalie is like every reader and would prefer a night in with a good book. Now, it might be because she had to raise her younger brother after their parents were in an accident. I feel like, due to this, she grew up faster and her acting older. She was 10 years younger than Jake. I do like how Jake is at the point in his career where he is going to decide what to do next. And I really enjoyed seeing him come into that next step with this team.

One thing that put me off was when Natalie would pull Jake closer, then push him away. She did this more than twice, and when they finally got together, something happened that pushed them apart. The third act breakup was a long time, but I will say I did enjoy seeing how they got back together.

All in all, Blocked Shot was a good book, and I will be giving this book three and a half stars. And I will be reading the next book in the series. I can’t wait to see who it is, and I hope that it’s Natalie’s friend who is next. The spice in this book was the right amount of open and closed-door scenes, and it gets one chili pepper when it comes to the spice level.

Blocked Shot is out now, and if you are a Kindle Unlimited member, it is included in your membership.

[Lyn Brownlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meant to be
A really enjoyable hockey romance.
Jake, 35 and almost at the end of his hockey career finds himself in a leadership role, mentoring some of the up and coming hockey players.
Natalie, Jesse’s sister, sacrificed everything in her life to watch over her brother and give him an opportunity to shine at the sport he loves.
Whilst getting Jesse settled into his new role and apartment she is now at a loose end wondering what is next for her.
She’s persuaded to go out in this new town and enjoy herself for the night where she meets Jake and they spend an unforgettable evening, until it’s cut short.
Both wanting more they can’t stop thinking about each other and what could have been.
As fate would have it they meet again only to realise that they can never be.
Loved the banter between all the characters, the sense of love and home when Nat repeatedly cooked for all the team plus the steamy scenes between Jake and Nat.
There was also some tension, heartbreak and a hope that they could work through the mess they were in.
Loved the storyline and would like to read more stories set around this group of hockey players.
I received a copy of this book and am leaving my honest review.

[Amy M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I equal parts love Jake and want to murder Jesse. This book was so freaking good, and I could not put it down. Jake is absolute perfection, no notes. Jesse needs to grow the F up and stop being a whiny brat.

Natalie's brother, Jesse, gets signed to a hockey team, and she moves him into his new apartment. She ends up meeting Jake, a perfect angel baby, who is unknowlingly about to become her brother's mentor. She resists the pull with Jake for as long as she can, but he is utter perfection, so her willpower doesn't last long. Most of the book is her inner turmoil over whether she will have to pick between Jake and her brother.

Natalie's emotional turmoil was really hard to read. I felt so bad for her with putting everyone else's needs first until she was left with nothing. It was entirely too relatable, but it made me love her that much more. Jesse needed a hard whack on the head, and I'm honestly surprised he didn't get it from Mila. I loved seeing Mila torture Theo, and if the next book isn't them, I will scream. I need more of her pushing his awkward buttons.

Thank you to BookSirens and Rachel Anthony for the free eARC.

[Nancy E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Blocked Shot. I liked that Mila was her younger brother's guardian, after their parents passed away, and she gave up a lot and worked multiple jobs to help them live and for her brother to be involved in hockey. I liked seeing her brother starting out on a Farm Team, rather than going straight into the NHL. I like the conflict of the guy she meets, Jake, being her brother Jesse's teammate. We learn that Jake has years of NHL experience and for some reason is now on the Farm Team. No explanation is given as to why Jake was knocked down to the Farm Team level, but that did not detract from the story. There is a good amount of head dialogue by Mila. We see some from Jake, but not as much as from Mila. I liked their banter. This is the first book in a long while that I have been annoyed at the FMC instead of the MMC! My one complaint is that Mila needed to make a dang decision and stick to it instead of jerking Jake around like she did. I was annoyed and hurt on his behalf. I will add the remaining books from this series to my to-be-read list.

[Minding My Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC and am so happy I did! Thank you to Book Sirens and Rachel Anthony for a chance to read it. Onto the review!

Blocked Shot features our FMC Natalie, who has spent the past several years serving as guardian for her younger brother, Jesse. Jesse is now 18 and has signed with a farm league team, leaving Natalie with time on her hands for the first time in a long time. Using some of that new free time, she goes to a bar where she meets Jake. She goes home with him only to be interrupted by a phone call from Jesse, who has been arrested. She’s leaves not knowing all the information regarding Jake’s identity. Chaos ensues the next day when she finds out Jake is Jesse’s teammate and she makes it clear she doesn’t want anything to do with Jake. What follows is Jake not giving up on Natalie and more importantly Natalie learning to enjoy her life and figure out what she wants for the first time.

Again, this book was excellent and even if you aren’t a hockey romance reader, I would suggest you give it a try!

[Lb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake and Natalie have instant chemistry but once she finds out that he is not only on her brother's team but also assigned to be his mentor she does what she always does and pulls back from what she wants due to not wanting it to cause problems for Jesse and his place on his new team.

they keep ending up together throughout the book even though they are trying to keep their distance they can't help it they are drawn together.

What was frustrating for me was that sacrificing her own wants/dreams to focus on her brother was so ingrained at that point that our FMC spent a lot of the book trying to avoid/stay away from our MMC and leading him on when they did have contact... unintentionally but still hurtful.

I enjoyed this book and will be not so patiently waiting for the 2nd in the series and hope it's about her funny friend Mila and shy hockey player Theo who had some flirty interactions throughout the book.

Wrote more about this on my blog https://elbyslibrary.blogspot.com/202...

[Melinda Hennies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Hot Hockey Player and Rookies Sizzling Sister!
Jake finds himself in Hartford and noticeably knowing if he has a hockey career left.
Natalie helps her brother Jessie move into his own apartment as he will be playing for Hartford. Natalie has raised Jesse since he was 13 and she 20. Natalie quit college to provide for him, and has been his one constant support.
Natalie finds herself at a bar, wallowing in some wine and a book when Jake sees her being harassed by some guys. Jake steps in and finds Natalie is hot, smart and beautiful.
Natalie is surprised and upset when she sees Jake at the hockey arena..
These two try to deny what they have, whi h doesn't work out well. Jake is told by coach he will take the rookies under his wing and mentor.
When Jesse finds out about Natalie and Jake, he is pissed and goes radio silent to both. Natalie has no choice but to choose family.
Jake finds himself traded to San Diego and happy in the sunshine but lonely.
When Jake has a great game he is surprised to see not only Natalie but Jesse.
This is the happiness everyone needs!

[Brittany Hayley Fraser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished Blocked Shot by Rachel Anthony. What happens when your parents pass away and you sacrifice everything to raise your little brother who was only 13 at the time only to help him move to another city hours away after her gets called up to a hockey league. When you go to a bar, meet and almost have a one night stand with an attractive mysterious stranger only to find out that he is your brothers team mate? Well that’s what Natalie discovers and tries to navigate, her feelings for Jake and wanting to be loyal to the brother she had to raise. This book took me a bit to get into. Not because the plot of it. Only because it was in 3rd person that makes it harder for me to get into. Especially when each chapter is a POV of either Jake or Natalie. But other than that, the story was good the spice was amazing. There’s a lot of will they or won’t they finally get together. But the growth of the MCs flows naturally not forced or rushed. Definitely worth the read.

[Cassie King · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for a good hockey romance and I was quickly pulled into this one! It was such an easy, enjoyable read. I definitely recommend if you’re looking for a sweet romance!

The best part of this book was the relationships between characters. I felt for Natalie and Jesse for losing both their parents but loved the bond they built together. Plus, I instantly loved Jake and his dynamic with Natalie. The grumpy/sunshine dynamic is a classic! Though, Jake’s growth went beyond just his relationship with Natalie and spilled into his career, creating changes he wasn’t looking for but embraced whole-heartedly. Not to mention, the “found family” of the team is so heartwarming! With this being the first in a series, I can definitely guess what characters will be featured in future books and I’m looking forward to seeing it work out for them!

‼️ I received an ARC from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Natalie has given up so much for her younger brother Jake, who has made it to the farm affiliate of an NHL team. Moving him into his new apartment, she takes a break and meets a handsome stranger at a bar….only for him to be a teammate of his brother, an NHL player bumped down to the affiliate to prove his way back into the pros.
Jake is so endearing as he becomes a mentor to the young players, especially to Pavel!
Definitely loved the conversations between Jesse and his teammates, too.
The chemistry is great, especially as Jake and Natalie navigate their feelings, her brother finding out, and their long distance situation.
Would love to see more about this group, especially Natalie’s friends Mia and one of Jesse’s teammates! Definitely liked the book and would recommend for anyone in their hockey romance phase!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blocked Shot by Rachel Anthony is a compelling blend of forbidden romance, family drama, and hockey heat. Natalie’s life revolves around supporting her younger brother Jesse’s pro hockey dreamsuntil she meets Jake, his teammate and mentor. Their connection is instant, undeniable, and completely off-limits, which makes every stolen glance and near-touch sizzle with tension.
Jake is the perfect mix of tough and tender, a bruised enforcer with quiet depth and surprising vulnerability. Natalie, selfless yet strong, brings warmth and emotional grounding to the story. Their chemistry feels genuine, and the banter adds just the right amount of charm.
While the sibling conflict occasionally overshadows the romance, the emotional payoff is worth it. The short chapters, text message interludes, and alternating POVs keep the pacing snappy and intimate.
Steamy, heartfelt, and full of second-chance hope, Blocked Shot is a must-read for fans of slow-burn, forbidden hockey romances.

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Rachel Anthony and BookSirens for gifting me this Advanced Reader Copy (ARC).

This is the first book I’ve requested since joining BookSirens and of course I had to pick a hockey romance!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and devoured it in 24 hours!

I’m a sucker for a tragic back story and a tough guy on the ice who’s really a big softy underneath, and this book gave me both.

Natalie and her brother Jesse only have each other. After their parents died I’m a tragic accident, Natalie steps up to be the sole caregiver for her younger brother, she sacrifices everything to care for him and help him achieve his Hockey goals.
Joining his first Rookie NHL team, they meet Jake, who will be Jesse’s mentor and the man Natalie. Ant stop thinking about!

A forbidden love, and a bit of a found family, Blocked Shot is one not to miss when it comes out in August!

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved Blocked Shot. The hockey element was fun and added to the story, but it didn’t take over like it sometimes does in other sports romances, it struck the perfect balance.

What stood out the most for me were the relationships. The bond between Natalie and her brother Jesse felt so real and it had that authentic sibling vibe with depth and heart.

And Jake? Total book boyfriend material. The way he treated Natalie with patience, respect, and zero pressure made their relationship feel genuine. His vulnerability was honestly so appealing and I appreciated how he waited for her to meet him halfway instead of trying to rush things.

It was emotional in all the right ways and left me smiling by the end. Highly recommend if you’re into hockey romances that feel real without being over the top.