Pickled

The Bailey Brothers Duet #2

by A.J. Wynter

He's the grumpiest hockey player in the Sunshine State.

Gideon Bailey is the biggest star in the NHL, he’s also notoriously grumpy. Friends? Women? Distractions. Especially the perky girl next door who struts around in tennis skirts. Gideon’s laser-focus is on one winning.

But when a career-threatening injury sidelines him, his carefully constructed world is shattered. Who is Gideon Bailey if he doesn't have a hockey stick in his hands?

Will his casserole-delivering, pickleball-playing, single mom neighbor be the key to rediscovering himself? Will he find something in life more valuable than holding the cup over his head?

If big-league hockey stars with small town values, meddling kooky neighbors, and reluctant pickleball players are your jam, you will love Gideon's story.

Pickled is the second book in The Bailey Brothers series. While it can be read as a standalone, it’s best enjoyed as part two of the series.

Genres: Contemporary, Hockey

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 29, 2025

Reviews

[Kimberly Holmgren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gideon was traded to the Barracudas. Leaving behind the newly fixed relationship he has with his brother. After spending a year being angry, he’s determined to reinvent himself. He doesn’t want to be known as the team grump anymore. He meets Piper, who he believes is his new neighbor, and finally starts to feel something again. Piper is working and raising her daughter. That’s all she has time for. But, she meets Gideon and figures she can use a one night stand. They both quickly that there’s no way they it can be just one night, but Piper is determined to keep him at arms length. Mostly because he has no idea who she really is, or that she’s a single mom. While recovering from a concussion, Gideon finds himself deep in the world of pickleball, and it’s nothing like he thought it would be. When he finds out the truth about who Piper really is, he feels betrayed. When Gideon realizes he wants Piper in his life, he knows he's going to work for it. Gideon soon finds himself thrown deeper into the world Pickleball, trying to convince Piper that he can help her win. I couldn’t wait to read Gideon’s story. Always love when the tough, grumpy hockey star falls first!

[Danielle Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

2nd book of the Bailey Brother's Series & Gideon is the grumpy older brother (Ace is in book 1 - this can be read alone, but makes WAY more sense if you ready book 1 first!)
In this one Gideon has been traded down to Florida after fixing his relationship with his younger brother but has decided to try and not be so grumpy and try to be more one with the team. When his "neighbor" needs help finding her missing cat he helps look for it (something he would have never done before) it helps that she is (Piper) is very pretty)! He can't believe the feeling he gets just by meeting Piper the first time! Then he finds himself learning all about Pickleball & finds out Piper plays too, after some fireworks & miscommunication you have to see what happens with all the sparks & heat from these two! Hockey, Pickleball, pets, kids & nosey people what could go wrong.... or right! lol! you have to read this amazing book!!! AJ never fails at writing an amazing story!!

[Korkoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

True Love Means Trust and Forgiveness -
I absolutely loved reading Gideon and Piper’s slow build romance story, about two people from different social backgrounds, who build a relationship whilst spending time together, but a relationship based on secrets and misunderstandings has a way of getting disrupted. Although Gideon shows remorse and tries to rekindle his relationship with Piper, she feels the trust between them is broken and isn’t prepared to risk further heartbreak.

Fortunately, Gideon does everything possible with the help of family and friends to convince Piper to give him another chance so they could build a future together. Grab a copy of this gripping romance story now and enjoy an amazing reading experience, as you turn the pages of this wonderful book.

I received an advanced review copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judy25 · Rating 5 out of 5]

When hockey star Gideon Bailey is sidelined with a concussion, he takes up pickleball to help regain his coordination. After having a one-night stand with his hot neighbor and then having a major falling out with her, they end up partners in a pickleball tournament. This is an awesome book that was difficult to put down before finishing it. There were several unexpected plot twists that added greatly to the overall story.

[Sharon Faurot · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in this hockey series . Gideon the older brother moves to Florida lost the joy of the games. Late at night piper comes to his door asking about the kitty that missing . Pickleball to help him and her and cc and olive can he find joy and more then he could ever hope to find ? Loved this story . Such a great read .

[Mandy Puckett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bailey brothers series has all the drama you would expect in a family but once they are able to talk about everything they realize being together as brothers is better than whatever they thought was going on before. Gideon quickly realizes that something is missing from his fresh start. Enter a cat, a neighbor, and your typical country club and you have yourself that spark he needs.

[Dee Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gideon and Piper
I loved this slow burn romance. Gideon and Piper are wonderful characters and their story gave me all the sweetness, steam, drama, twists and emotion that kept me turning the pages.
There’s some angst, action, humour, family and friends, a pickeball competition, heart, healing and a cat.
I’m looking forward to book 3 in this entertaining series.

[Tracey Troxell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It’s the second book in the Bailey Brothers series, Gideon’s story. He’s a grumpy hockey player who meets his match in his new next door neighbor, Piper. Misunderstandings almost keep them apart but once the truth is out, they both need to overcome their anger to move forward. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.

[Jenn Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a good read that I didn't want to put it down. These two clicked so easily from the start, good banter, a strong pull, and there's light as well. Gideon is an intense grump that's trying to change from his old grumpy ways with his new team. Piper is an amazing mom, a strong athelete herself, and so much more. Gideon with a kitten is just the laughs you need! I loved the ups and downs, the connection, and add in that adorable little girl... it's enough to warm any heart. Gideon's teammates are fantastic and I'm hoping for more from them.

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Gin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a fun story with a good blend of humour, emotion and romance. I thought Gideon overreacted a bit though when he learned Piper hadn't told him some information he thought he should have had earlier.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun story!
Getting to know Gideon a little bit more and meeting Piper was great.
Gideon’s way back after the injury and finding a way out of his lonelyness. See the change in Piper and her daughter’s life made me feel good.