Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
He’s her PR nightmare. She’s his forbidden fantasy. Falling in love was never part of the game.

Tank Phillips is used to scoring—on and off the ice. But after a scandalous night with two puck bunnies makes headlines, the cocky star of the Stingrays is benched in more ways than one. His only shot at salvaging his career? A squeaky-clean image makeover…starting with a fake girlfriend.

Enter McKenna Bailey—nerdy, no-nonsense, and painfully new at her job as the Stingrays’ social media manager. Tasked with taming Tank’s wild reputation, she’d rather be buried in data analytics than babysitting the team’s notorious playboy. He calls her mouse, barely remembers her name, and flashes that infuriating grin like he owns the world. But the more time they spend together faking a romance, the more the chemistry between them feels dangerously real.

McKenna has her own secret—one that could blow everything she’s the estranged daughter of Coach Fields. And when the truth comes out, Daddy Dearest gives Tank a hard warning—stay away from my little girl.

But Tank’s never been one to play by the rules…especially when the one thing he wants most is finally within reach.

246 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 13, 2026

14 people are currently reading
1971 people want to read

About the author

Mari Carr

230 books4,000 followers
Writing a book was number one on Mari Carr’s bucket list. A New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller, Mari’s computer is now jammed full of stories — novels, novellas, short stories and dead-ends.
Mari writes contemporary sexy romance novels. To learn more about her spicy stories, click here.
Join her newsletter so you don't miss new releases and for exclusive subscriber-only content.
Find Mari on the web at
maricarr.com
Email: mari@maricarr.com

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
67 (61%)
4 stars
34 (31%)
3 stars
5 (4%)
2 stars
3 (2%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for Michelle the Romance Witch.
2,540 reviews73 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 18, 2026
Is there anything better than a reformed playboy falling in love with the nerdy romance-reading introvert girl? I love when a story hits me right in the feels and I can honestly say that Tank and McKenna were one of my favorite couples so far in this series. Mari Carr has been one of my favorite authors for a long time now and each new series that she creates makes me more and more happy that I stumbled across her years ago. I love the characters she creates and even more the trouble she manages to get them into before she gives them their HEA. This series is quickly becoming one of my favorites as Mari introduces us to more and more sexy and interesting hockey players and the women that are going to bring them to their knees, but have to say I did not anticipate the way she worked in the surprise for poor tank at the end, and he better be careful he never makes his new woman mad or he’ll be in more than one doghouse. This story begins with Tank Phillips in hot water because his antics are becoming too public and too outrageous for the team and their sponsors to allow him to slide anymore, even if he is one of their star players. Enter the lovely and introverted McKenna Bailey, the Sting Rays’ new social media manager, who is tasked with cleaning up Tank’s image and keeping him corralled for the next few months. But the more time they spend together the more they begin to like and respect one another, especially with Tank behaving himself and not dipping his wick in every available space. Then the task becomes even more involved when they are cast in the role of a fake couple, even though Tank would very much like it to be real, and the connection between them is no longer one they can deny. Can Tank convince McKenna to give into their chemistry while they are forced to play at being a couple? And when the emotions get to be all too real can they overcome their fears and hangups in order to have a real relationship or will McKenna run from the truest love she’s ever found?

Release is one of those stories where you can see the beauty of a chemistry and connection between two people long before the couple themselves can, mostly because they have some kind of block or blinder on. But as they get deeper into their time together both Tank and McKenna come to understand that the other shows only a small piece of their personality to the world, and the core of them is hidden and only given to a select few. McKenna has been hurt by some many of the men in her life, all the way back to her father and she has never really gotten over the pain, but when she finally starts to see that she can’t hold those hurts against Tank, allowing him into her heart is easier. Tank has always had his course in life charted and women have come easy to him, but now he sees that they were easy because he didn’t truly care if he won or lost with previous conquests, but with McKenna he can’t lose her. He will do whatever it takes to change and prove to her that he is the kind of man she can be proud to call her own and have by her side, one that will support and protect her, even from himself and his own stupid mistakes. When these two finally allowing their passions and emotional bond free rein and show one another their vulnerable underbellies, their hearts connect in a way that makes any reader just sigh and reach for the tissues. The passion between them is more subtle, though both are attracted to one another from the beginning, the resistance to that need is what makes the final Release of that heat so combustible. I loved every sweet, sad, sexy, and sweet moment of Tank and McKenna’s story and loved that they finally found a way to understanding and an HEA that will guide them through a lot of ups and downs, holding strong. I am dying for the next story because I can already tell that it will be amazing, and Victor is in for a heck of a ride when he loses his heart. Mari Carr scores a serious hat trick with this new entry into the world of sexy hockey player romances and if you havent read the previous novels yet, I suggest a day off work to binge all four!
Profile Image for Julie Booklover.
2,168 reviews104 followers
January 13, 2026
Tank, you have taken your antics one step too far this time. He has to be one of my favorite characters in this series. He is enjoying his life on and off the ice. The women his career attracts, also get him too much attention, this time Stingray’s management and sponsors have had enough.

Mckenna is on the Stingray’s PR team, social media and data are her specialty, not repairing Tank’s image. Yet here we are fake relationship and all.

As the two get close, will her secret derail them? Will Tank realize the right woman will make him fall harder that his teammates?

I enjoyed this quick read, I read it almost in one sitting. I am looking forward to more.

Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Profile Image for Dar.
4,596 reviews94 followers
January 13, 2026
Ah, the joys of fake dating after switching from enemies to friends, and some wild chemistry thrown in! These two were definitely opposites attract, and none of it was superficial, they just didn’t realize it right away. A natural evolving of their relationship, which they didn’t want to admit to themselves, and an almost too late realization, kept them, and me, on my toes. And that twist, that twist that was so unexpected and completely blindsided me, I think I loved that most of all 😊
Profile Image for Tracy Flick.
644 reviews4 followers
Read
January 11, 2026
Release is a fabulous enemies to lovers romance. McKenna is assigned to help Tank clean up his reputation. McKenna and Tank are fabulous together. I love the characters and the storyline. You can't help but to fall in love with Tank amd McKenna.
Profile Image for Jenna.
1,221 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
December 29, 2025
Oh, Tank. You're a hot mess that needs the love of a good woman.
Tank & McKenna = ❤️
Well paced, good plot, great story from a great storyteller.
4 reviews3 followers
January 31, 2026
While the book is the fourth in a series, it can be read as a standalone (as I read it), though I felt the lack of connection to the broader cast which reading the other books may or may not fix.

Marketing vs Execution
I went into Release expecting a classic fake dating, forbidden romance, but the story didn't quite follow those tropes as advertised. The "fake dating" element doesn’t start until halfway through the book, and by that point, the protagonists were already emotionally involved and quickly became physically involved. As for the "forbidden" aspect? It was mostly internal monologue about personal rules—avoiding coworkers and hockey players—rather than the high-stakes drama of her being the estranged daughter of the coach. The "big reveal" of her identity didn't happen until 90% into the book, leaving no room for actual tension or fallout.

Character Development & Pacing
While the characters had established personalities, I struggled to feel a deep connection to them. Some of the descriptions felt repetitive, and I would have loved to see their internal feelings explored with more depth, or in conversation with friends (which neither really have). Because I wasn't fully invested in their emotional journey, the more intimate scenes didn't resonate with me as much as they might have otherwise. The timeline also felt quite accelerated. The story takes place over 10 weeks (?), moving from being distant coworkers to talking about marriage and building a family. For characters in their mid-20s, this felt more like a whirlwind infatuation than a steady build-up of real love, making the ending feel a bit rushed.

The Epilogue
In the epilogue, rather than giving us a "months later" look at our main couple, it was commercial for the next book about a different hockey player I barely knew anything about. If it is a teaser for the next book with centering on a character whose name you mentioned less than 10 times in this book, it is not an epilogue.

Side note: I received this book for free through a Goodreads Giveaway. This review is not paid or sponsored—| wasn't asked to provide a positive review, and all opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
6,174 reviews18 followers
January 26, 2026
I am loving the Stingrays! I cannot put them down once I pick the stories. This one is no exception. I loved every bit of it from beginning to end. This is the fourth story in the hockey series. Although there are connected characters, this story can be enjoyed as a stand alone read. I was excited about this one, which is about McKenna and Tank, both in previous stories. I enjoyed this story so much! I love the characters! I love watching the player fall for the forbidden. How this story starts out sets the tone for his past antics and why he is in 'HOT WATER". Getting suspended was a gut punch but working with the PR team was excessive, or so he thought. He has been given a second chance but the third strike and he is out. Now he has to work with "Mouse", who has claws and a bit of disdain. She is his new "Keeper" and not happy about it at all. Sparks fly between them! These two are fun to watch as their attitudes slowly change and then when they are faking it to more. This is such a good read with some drama, angst, insecurities, love, passion and much more. I cannot wait to read Victor's story, sounds like it might be a grumpy/sunshine theme.
350 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 11, 2026
I loved Tank in the previous stories, he gave all his friends grief as they found their HEAs, but the more they resist the harder they fall!!

After causing another scandal, the team tells Tank that he needs to stop the scandals or risk his career. To ensure Tank stays out of trouble, the teams assigns new social media manager, McKenna, to keep an eye on him. As they start to spend time together and get to know each other, McKenna realizes there is way more to Tank than his public persona. Tank also realizes there is way more to woman he calls Mouse than he realizes. As they spend more time together, their attraction to each other grows, and when the PR Department suggests the next step in rehabbing Tanks image is to fake date McKenna, Tank takes them up on it, because he hopes that as they fake date, McKenna will realize they are really dating.

This is a great story and I cannot wait for more in this series!
Profile Image for Evita.
702 reviews1 follower
January 13, 2026
Tank has got to be one of my favorite characters, he’s a no nonsense type of guy, enjoying life and many women, until that messes with the team and management is not having it. Enter McKenna, who is part of the PR team, she is all about work, working hours on end to prove herself to management.

What happens when these two are put together to clean up his image…well at first McKenna found it hard to work with him, and Tank found it hard to be confined. But little by little, they really got to know each other and little by little, their hearts also got involved.

I loved their interactions, they really had a lot of chemistry from the beginning, such great banter between them. And all it took was one kiss to jump that barrier, Mari Carr sure knows how to write some amazing smexy scenes.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
2,765 reviews129 followers
January 15, 2026
RELEASE is the fourth in Mari Carr's Stingrays Hockey series. Player (in more ways than one) Tank Phillips is not pleased to discover his latest date has landed him in hot water with team management to the point where they have decided that he needs a minder. Social media manager McKenna Bailey is not pleased to be appointed said minder. Seems like no one is particularly happy but Mari Carr works her magic and before too long, one babysitting job turned fake relationship is producing a genuine friendship and a whole lot of all too real feelings that are quite apparent minus a spotlight...

Mari Carr's characters are full of emotions and humor, and Release is a deliciously entertaining read. It stands well alone, but the entire series is a delight and well worth indulging in!
Profile Image for Curly Bibliophagist .
491 reviews4 followers
January 14, 2026
Tank is the bad boy of the Stingrays. He is always in trouble. But when he has a wild night with the puck bunnies that blows up on social media, its the last straw.

McKenna is the new social media manager for the team. It becomes her job to help clean up Tanks image. She gets forced into fake dating him. By having him date a good girl, his image will turn around.

But there are problems. McKenna really doesn't want anything to do with this too handsome for his own good man who can't even remember his name. As they spend time together, their learn more about each other and actually begin to have feelings. But McKenna has a secret if he or anyone else finds out her secret and if it gets out, she's going to have real problems.
Profile Image for Stephanie Hutchison.
545 reviews8 followers
January 19, 2026
I love Tank and McKenna’s story. Tank is your typical bad boy hockey player. And player in a few ways. McKenna (or Mouse as Tank calls her) is tasked with keeping him out of trouble until training camp starts. And what was just a “keep him out of trouble” turns into a fake dating situation. It doesn’t take long for those sparks to start and as they learn more about each other and the real personalities, feelings happen. He’s thrilled. She isn’t at first. I love the references to past books. It’s always a great book when you go to Pat’s Pub. This book does have a little twist you don’t see coming. Not a suspense type twist, but a twist none-the-less.
Profile Image for ☆Laura☆.
5,377 reviews61 followers
February 18, 2026
Ya sabía que o lo amaría u odiaría, y fue lo segundo.


Cuando Tank no está actuando como tonto no es tan malo, pero no me cabe en la cabeza que a McKenna le gustara. O sea, ella sabe todo sobre él y básicamente es un ITS andante. Una cosa es disfrutar tu vida sexual y otra muy distinta lo que él hacía.

Fue poco creíble que de un día para otro cambiara, y ni siquiera fue porque le gustara McKenna, ya que cuando la vio por primera vez se burló de ella y nunca le atrajo. Es muy difícil creer que por arte de magia cambiara y dejara atrás el exhibicionismo, los tríos y su rechazo a las relaciones, sobre todo porque McKenna es más reservada.
Profile Image for Lissa.
224 reviews12 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 12, 2026
I Loved It!!! I am truly enjoying reading this series. In my view, because Tank and McKenna are “fake dating”, Mari Carr put an “honesty” spin on this story. It was so refreshing to see the characters be totally transparent with each other within the development of their relationship. Towards the end the feelings start to grow and it becomes harder to be honest when you don’t know if the other feels the same way. To risk being hurt is sometimes harder than being honest. Five Wonderful Stars!!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Chris.
1,950 reviews16 followers
January 13, 2026
Release, book four in the Stingrays Hockey series is fun, entertaining and had me completely hooked from the start. Who doesn’t like to see a confirmed playboy bachelor get swept off his feet? I know I enjoyed reading this story as Tank Phillips, the team’s playboy did just that. All it took was McKenna Bailey, the Stingrays new social media manager to tame him through persistence and her unrelenting talent for calling him out when needed. What neither expected with their six months of forced proximity was to fall for one another.
Profile Image for Joyce.
357 reviews7 followers
January 19, 2026
I love a good enemies to lovers, fake dating, forbidden romance, and this was a really good one. Tank Phillips, cocky Stingrays star, and McKenna Bailey, nerdy publicist, are a great example of opposites attracting, and I was rooting for them all the way. I couldn’t put it down.
Release by Mari Carr is book 4 in the Stingrays Hockey series, but it can be read as a stand-alone. The fact that I had not read the other books in the series did not detract from this book.
Thank you to Goodreads and Mari Carr for this ARC.
Profile Image for Didi.
2,037 reviews
January 13, 2026
Another Stingray Hockey hunk falls fast and hard. Tank is a PR nightmare and he has taken it a step too far. McKenna is assigned to help him remake his ways and the sparks fly. He is all in but she is not. Loved watching their relationship grow and change. A few secrets, heartache, undeniable chemistry, team camaraderie, determination, realizations, and a HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for A.
796 reviews
January 17, 2026
Mari Carr made Release a really fun and steamy read. Tank is a playboy that is constantly making headlines. Unfortunately one turns out to look very McKenna is in the PR department for the Stingrays team, and it is up to her to save his reputation. Fake dating turns real really fast, but they fight their feelings hard. I found myself cheering for team Tank. Their witty story flew by, and i I really enjoyed reading it.
576 reviews3 followers
January 17, 2026
Tank and Mouse (McKenna’s) story was a 20!!! OMG it had hot chemistry, a great story, Pat’s Pub (and Padrig my fav!!!) and am amazing ending. I loved everything about this book from the fixing of his image, the fake relationship, surprise - her father is his coach and the perfect ending. I love how Mari writes and these characters are real. Can’t wait for Vic’s story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Brenda Hojonski.
528 reviews37 followers
January 20, 2026
Who doesn't love a playboy hockey star falling for the most unlikely girl? I loved how this story played out. They became friends while she was trying to save his bacon and soon, they both were feeling attracted to each other. McKenna was holding on to some deep-seated issues with her father and as the story played out, we see why Coach Fields was treating Tank so harshly and the touching scene where Mac finally makes peace with her father. Tank and Mac were adorable together.
1,053 reviews8 followers
January 22, 2026
Amazing!

I loved this story of Tank and McKenna! He's a Hockey playing playboy that got caught in a scandal She's the quirky social media Director tasked to clean up his reputation. They are total opposites. The more time they spend together and get to know each other , the more they like about each other. McKenna calms Tank and Tank brings out her wild side. I love these two together. I love this book and series! I highly recommend! I can't wait for Victor's story.
Profile Image for NanaX8.
2,537 reviews66 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 5, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ stars for Tank & McKenna in this all of the feels, push and pull, enemies to lovers romance! Grab this one and follow along as McKenna is talked into helping Tank clean up his reputation. But when things get a little too close for comfort will they both get their hearts broke? Loved it!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,967 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 6, 2026
Tank is a playboy of the first order and McKenna reluctantly agrees to try and reform his public image after a particularly negative viral video. A match made in heaven was the last thing either of them expected but fate had other plans. The playboy is so attractive, who can avoid falling for him, not Mouse that's for sure There is a surprise at the end but the epilogue is amazing.
Profile Image for Angela.
3,606 reviews16 followers
Review of advance copy
January 10, 2026
A most enjoyable enemies to lovers, with secrets, romance. Tank knows he is all that and a bag of chips. But even the most delicious treat can become stale if left out too long. McKenna's task of cleaning up his image puts her directly into the crosshairs of some icy-hot antics. Chemistry they have in spades. But do they have staying power?
1,382 reviews
January 13, 2026
I loved Tank & McKenna’s story so much in Release, the latest book in Mari Carr’s Stingray Hockey series. I devoured this book all in one sitting. I really enjoyed seeing the change in playboy Tank and how his relationship with Mac developed over time. He was totally swoonworthy and so sweet with her. Another great story in this series.
1,641 reviews13 followers
January 14, 2026
Release is the 4th book in the Stingray Hockey series, but can easily be read as a standalone. I loved McKenna and it was really sweet to see her fall for Tank and simply by being herself change his outlook on life. A great romance with a wonderful HEA. I received an early copy of this book and am voluntarily and honestly leaving this review.
Profile Image for Xantippi Leska.
668 reviews2 followers
January 13, 2026
I really enjoyed this story, I thought Tank and McKenna were great for each other. It was a quick read that keeps you wanting more. Looking forward to the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
756 reviews6 followers
January 21, 2026
Engaging characters, in a sexy fake dating, mild hate to love, former playboy, compelling hockey romance. Tank is a swoony he falls first and hard top shelf book boyfriend and McKenna is sharp, smart, secretly wild girl next door type who keeps him on his toes. Love these Rays!
Profile Image for Bonnie Ross.
104 reviews
January 28, 2026
Changing. .

Another great book !!!,you will definitely, love this book💗You will,definitely fall in love,it's ,Hot,sexy ,laughing ,and,make, you smile !!🔥💗 Love can,come,in different ways.
1 review
January 29, 2026
This was a cute, easy read. The characters were likable, the story was predictable, the ending did feel like it went from 0 to 100 but overall I enjoyed it. I would read other books in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.