Love and Other Penalties: A Sweet Hockey RomCom Short Read

by Laney Kate

When a figure skater on the brink of her Olympic dream gets her ice time stolen by Briarwood’s secret softie, sparks fly.





I have three weeks to qualify for Team USA, and the last thing I need is a hockey player who can’t read a schedule encroaching on my ice time. But when Finn Travers, starting right wing for the Briarwood Bobcats, crashes my perfectly planned training with his ridiculous cone drills and dangerous smiles, I realize I’ve just taken my first penalty.

Falling for my sworn rink enemy.

Finn’s all sharp edges and trouble, the kind of distraction my perfectionist coach-mother would never approve of. He watches me skate like I’m the most fascinating thing he’s ever seen, offers advice that’s annoyingly accurate, and shows up at my dad’s cupcakery when I “forget” to text him what time to pick me up for our first date.

Between stolen kisses and the dangerous truth that being with him feels exactly like taking a penalty—a forced timeout while the whole town watches—I’m starting to think Finn might be worth the risk.

But when my mother threatens to pull my training if I don’t end things with Finn, one wrong landing could shatter both our dreams.

With my last shot at Olympic glory on the line and my heart gone for a tomcat who makes me feel like flying, I have to the gold medal I’ve trained for all my life, or the love that proves some penalties are worth taking?

Genres: Hockey

74 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 8, 2025

Reviews

[Shelley Wahls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finn and Ivy are too cute. This is a fun and quick read. Ivy is an Olympic hopeful and Finn is a hockey Goalie. They have a lot in common, but are also vying for the same practice time on the ice, love the support to follow your dreams, dream big people!! SUPER fun how this all plays out. I LOVE the characters, super fleshed out and so adorable. This little rom-com is a great way to forget your troubles for an afternoon!!

[Sandra Hartzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had an ARC for this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Ivy has three weeks to qualify for the Olympic Team when she finds Finn, a professional hockey player on her ice. Due to a scheduling problem, they end up sharing the ice. Her mother and coach is not happy with her performance. As they share the ice, they become friends and fall in love and wish to support each other. A delightful book about working together, and determining what’s most important in life.

[Denice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun, quick read that was just what I needed. A cute story of Ivy, a figure skater who is training for the Olympics. Finn is a hockey goalie, on a new team. When they both show up early at the rink to practice, the tension is strong, and the fun begins. An adorable, cute, sweet and swoony, a fantastic rom-com.

[Annette Siemens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was exactly what I needed, a short romcom! Does not hurt that it was centered around HOCKEY! Both of the characters had obstacles to over come so that they could move forward with their dreams, they were holding themselves back. Very relatable! Dream big - Believe in yourself! I have not read anything by Laney Kate prior to this but I would recommend her and this series.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finn and Ivy

This is a fun and interesting story full. I enjoyed the family dynamics and liked that it wasn’t all sugar and spice. I liked reading as the relationship between Finn and Ivy grew. I liked that it wasn’t trite and I couldn’t always guess how things would go. Nice job. This book is a great addition to the Meet-Cute Match-Ups series.

[Paula Bond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection! A light and lovely quick read. Filled with Laney Kate’s trademark warmth, wit and emotionally deep characters, this book is sure to give you all the warm feels and happy-ever-after romance you need.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute hockey rom-com! I liked it so much. Adorable and heartwarming..

[Abby Huffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this one! Finn & Ivy’s Instalove is absolutely adorable. I adored their nicknames and support of each other. Finn was lovestruck and the very best for Ivy!

[wendy crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet, quick read romance. So neat to see the digure skater and the ice hockey player learn to work together and cheer each other on as they fall in love. I’d highly recommend this!

[Michal Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this clean hockey romance about Ivy and Finn falling in love as they both practice on the ice rink together.

[Lehakwe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet short and happy romcom. I loved it.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was so cute and so quick and easy, something about 2 people sharing the same passion and just fully understanding eachother really gets me🥲