Rookie Attraction: MM Hockey Romance

NY Rush #1

by Ava Olsen

Selwin
I planned on coming out in the NHL. I didn't plan on having to switch teams to survive it.

With the New York Rush, keeping my head down should be safe—until rookie defenseman Finn Baran shows up. Finn is talented, determined, impossible to ignore. Every late-night conversation and every stolen glance on the ice pulls me closer to a line I swore I'd never cross.

Falling for my teammate was never part of the playbook.

Finn
After going undrafted, I thought my hockey dreams were over. A last-minute tryout with the Rush gives me one more chance—and puts me face-to-face with Selwin Kirkland, a player I've admired for years.

Our chemistry is undeniable.
The timing couldn't be worse.

As friendship turns into something more, we have to decide if protecting our careers is worth losing the one thing we never saw coming: each other.

Rookie Attraction is a bi awakening, friends-to-lovers, hurt/comfort MM hockey romance. Book 1 of the NY Rush series—where love doesn't play by hockey rules.

Genres: M M Romance, Sports, Hockey

479 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 2, 2026

About the author

Ava Olsen writes steamy & dreamy contemporary romance.

Reviews

[Nancy Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW
ROOKIE ATTRACTION (NY RUSH LIBRO 1)

Recensione: Rookie Attraction è il nuovo libro di Ava Olsen, primo della nuova serie “NY Rush”. I protagonisti di questo libro sono Selwin e Finn, due giocatori di hockey: il primo è un veterano con alle spalle nove anni di carriera, mentre Finn è un giovane ragazzo che proviene dall’hockey giocato al college.
I due si incontreranno proprio alla Sutton University, dove Finn gioca come difensore (come Selwin) ed è emozionato perché il giocatore è da sempre il suo idolo.
Selwin però, dopo aver deciso di fare coming out come uomo bisessuale, verrà preso di mira dai suoi compagni di squadra di Chicago e bullizzato finché un grave episodio non lo costringerà a trasferirsi immediatamente a New York. Qui reincontrerà nuovamente Finn, il rookie della squadra e i due diventeranno amici. L’amicizia però, è troppo poco per i due perché, nonostante tutto, restare lontani è impossibile.
Questo libro mi è piaciuto da impazzire! La storia narra eventi per sei/sette mesi e vedremo come la relazione tra i due protagonisti evolverà. Ho amato entrambi, Selwin e Finn sono due personaggi fantastici e leggere come nasce il loro amore in modo lento e leggere tutti i loro pensieri che rivolgono all’altro è stato meraviglioso. Nonostante il libro sia lunghissimo, ammetto di averlo divorato. In questa storia compare un giocatore di football americano che fingerà di essere il ragazzo di Selwin per pubblicità. Anche se ammetto di aver storto il naso quando l’ho visto comparire (aspettandomi tonnellate di angst) in realtà non è un problema, forse ha solo allungato i tempi per fare mettere insieme i due protagonisti! E’ proprio durante queste uscite che Selwin e Finn si avvicineranno. La squadra dei Rush è carinissima e ho adorato leggere come tutti appoggiano Selwin e cercheranno di proteggerlo dagli attacchi omofobi degli avversari (si scontreranno con l’ex squadra di Chicago di Selwin) e da un paio di compagni di squadra di New York. Ho amato alla follia Makela e non vedo l’ora di leggere il suo libro!
Non ho sopportato Brady e gli ex compagni di Chicago, hanno fatto dei danni irreparabili, povero Sel!
Piccolo aspetto “negativo” è che più leggevo e la percentuale non aumentava mai! Mi sembrava di restare sempre ferma quando in realtà nella storia succedevano un sacco di cose e passavano intere settimane!
Ho ricevuto una copia Arc in cambio della mia opinione. Ringrazio The Author Agency e Ava Olsen per l’opportunità!


ENGLISH REVIEW:
Rookie Attraction is Ava Olsen’s new book, the first in the new series “NY Rush”.
The main characters in this book are Selwin and Finn, two hockey players: Selwin is a nine-year veteran, while Finn is a young player who comes from college hockey.
The two first meet at Sutton University, where Finn plays defense (just like Selwin) and is thrilled because the player has been his idol for as long as he can remember.
Selwin, after his coming out as bisexual, is targeted by his teammates in Chicago and bullied until a serious incident forces him to move immediately to New York. There, he runs into Finn again and the two become friends.
I absolutely loved this book! I loved both Selwin and Finn they’re both fantastic characters and the slow burn was amazing!
Even though the book is very long, I devoured it!
The Rush team is very supportive and tried to protect Selwin from the homophobic attacks from their opponents (they’ll face off again Selwin’s former Chicago team) and from a couple of his New York teammates (I couldn’t stand Brady!)
I absolutely adored Mats Makela and can’t wait to read his book!
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Thank you The Author Agency and Ava Olsen.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Sel decided it was time to stop hiding who he was and announce he was bisexual, he never imagined just how bad the reactions could be. Especially from his own NHL team. The team he thought of as family. The moment he walks into the locker room, things are bad and escalate to the point where he knows he needs to leave or risk his safety. Being traded to the NY Rush has to be a new and fresh start. And luckily most of the team seems to be good with him. But even better is seeing a familiar face that he knows is definitely okay with him. Finn is beyond excited to be with the NY Rush and even more so when he learns that Sel was traded to the team. He has always admired Sel and after meeting him over the summer, he feels good that they can be friends. And even partners on the ice. But their friendship slowly turns into so much more as they get to know one another. And while Sel fears Finn’s future if they get involved, Finn is also someone who knows what he wants. So it’s only a matter of time until that pull between them will be too much to resist. Great start to this new series! Sel and Finn have great chemistry on and off the ice. They are really perfect for one another and balance each other out so well. Both of them have a lot going on in their lives, but they can lean on one another. I loved watching their friendship blossom to more. And I’m super excited for book two!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Allison Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely your next must read sports mm romance!!

Finn and Sel had such an adorable friendship at the beginning, and watching that friendship grow into something more completely melted my heart. 🥹

The amount of homophobic bullshit these two had to deal with absolutely broke my heart. I hated seeing them have to navigate so much of it, but it also made their relationship feel that much more meaningful.

And the CHEMISTRY between these two?! 🔥🔥🔥 I was absolutely eating it up. The mirror moment in particular??? My heart. 💀❤️ Finn’s rambling was also ridiculously adorable and I loved every second of it.

By the final chapter, I had literal goosebumps and tears in my eyes. THAT’S how you stick the landing.

And, uh… the bellybutton thing? 🫣🥵 Let’s just say I did not know that was going to be a thing I needed in my life, but here we are. 😂

All throughout the book I was hardcore loving on Makela. He was such an absolutely hilarious and fun side character and I was crossing my fingers that we’d get to see him and Karson in a future book and oh my freaking god, I was right 🎉
I absolutely cannot wait for book two 😍

Thank you to Ava Olsen and The Author Agency for the ARC ❤️

Title - Rookie Attraction
Author - Ava Olsen
Star rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spicy Rating - 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Overall - Autistic Allie Approved✅

[Han. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rookie Attraction was a slow burn romance between a NHL player and a rookie which starts with Sel coming out to his team and the rest of the hockey world. Over the weeks that follow, he decides to find a new team because of some incredibly disturbing behaviour from the team. When he sees a familiar face at his new team, he relaxes and quickly becomes friends with the sweet, chatterbox country boy, Finn. It's such a lovely, cosy romance with touches of angst and hurt/comfort themes but the way they support one another throughout the book is magical! I absolutely loved this book, and it's always a nice touch when there's cameos from previous MCs, like Damien, Silas and Jace. I'm looking forward to reading the next book! Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read your book early!

[Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can we deal with how amazing Selwin and Finn are together?! I love demi Finn and the way his romantic life has been so far. He feels like the perfect fit for Sel. Especially with the way people have treated him after publicly coming out. But if those people, who are rotten to the core, wouldn’t be who they were, our two boys never would have been on the same team so yay for bad behavior. The friendship that grows between them first gives them such a solid foundation. Slipping into the romance is like second nature when they do and it is so cute. Selwin is such a protector, trying to keep Finn from all the hurt he went through. But these two just belong together and their dynamic is amazing.

I had so much fun reading Rookie Attraction. Now give me Makela and Karson because I know they are going to be a vibe!

[MM Bookwrecked · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
Thank you for the ARC, Ava!
This was a longer book than the others in this world, but I devoured each page. I was looking forward to Finn and Sel's story after being introduced to their characters in Ava's other series, and it did not disappoint. Their love story progressed well, it was quite realistic with the push and pull initially, and it was cute how they both were on the same page but scared the other wasn't (classic). And once they gave in, sparks and romance galore. Their relationship wasn't without adversity, namely homophobic pricks, but it was handled well. The epilogue was lovely, although it would have been nice to see further into the future. I can't wait for Mats and Karson's book, sounds like a second chance hate to love story?

[Sofia Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

An MM romance that depicts the reality of the world of sports and the narrow mentality that unfortunately that still lingers.
Selwin and Finn, two new teammates, two defensemen paired together are fighting for their right place in the world and become instant friends with shared values.
Their chemistry is off the charts good, scary and dangerous.
In this bi-awakening story there is a lot of heart, friendship, spice and good surprises.
Ava Olsen writes about the difficult side of the pro sports community, how unreal expectations can be, how much pressure there is and how much strength you must show in order to succeed.
Rookie Attraction is a beautiful story of true love, caring families, undeniable connections, protective vibes and never-ending support.
Thank you for the ARC.

[Amanda Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really enjoyable read and strong start to the series.

Sel and Finn were the best, I love how they were initially friends moving to lovers, when they finally cross that line...oh my god, I could have yelled in excitement. Although keeping things under wraps at the beginning, you could see how much they care for one another.

What really brought an emotional angle for me was the homophobia they face. Sel's treatment on his previous team was truly horrifying and I am so glad that he ended up in NY. He does face it on his new team from someone however not on the scale of what Sel previously endured. It was nice to see both him and Finn face it together and in the end with the support of friends but also family.

I am excited to see what is next in the NY Rush series.

[Katie G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew, where to start…..

First and foremost, I LOVED this book.

Secondly, I HATED how Selwin was treated after coming out but obviously I’m glad it led him to a New York where he was able to connect with Finn again. We were able to see their relationship develop, as well as see their internal thoughts and dilemmas along the way. I loved Finn so much and Im happy with how the book ended.

I literally couldn’t put this book down and was able to finish it all in one sitting. I would definitely recommend this if you like MM sports romance books.

[Kayla Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book! This one sucks you in from the beginning and doesn’t let you go and has you feral for more before it is over! And those side characters are gonna have you drooling for more of them! Seriously a great read!

[brogay · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review pending

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come 🏒🔥💙