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Faceoff with Forever
How do you make room for something real when you’ve only ever kept things casual?
Luke Ryder has built his entire image around being the easygoing fan favorite of the Minnesota Wolves. But behind that charming smile is a man who’s spent his life feeling like an outsider, mastering the art of keeping his real self hidden. That is, until Quinn Fallon reappears in his life with the power to see through it all.
Quinn isn’t looking for love—or anything remotely close to it. She’s spent years jumping from job to job and guy to guy, always chasing the next thing, never sure of where she truly belongs. But her latest gig as a production assistant on the Wolves’ documentary might finally change that. If only it didn’t involve being around Ryder—the hockey star she once nearly kissed, who still gets under her skin in all the wrong (and right) ways.
As old sparks reignite and time together blurs into something more, Ryder and Quinn find themselves caught between what feels safe and what feels real. But he’s terrified of being truly known. And she’s afraid of staying long enough to get hurt.
Will they faceoff with their doubts—or miss their shot at forever?
Luke Ryder has built his entire image around being the easygoing fan favorite of the Minnesota Wolves. But behind that charming smile is a man who’s spent his life feeling like an outsider, mastering the art of keeping his real self hidden. That is, until Quinn Fallon reappears in his life with the power to see through it all.
Quinn isn’t looking for love—or anything remotely close to it. She’s spent years jumping from job to job and guy to guy, always chasing the next thing, never sure of where she truly belongs. But her latest gig as a production assistant on the Wolves’ documentary might finally change that. If only it didn’t involve being around Ryder—the hockey star she once nearly kissed, who still gets under her skin in all the wrong (and right) ways.
As old sparks reignite and time together blurs into something more, Ryder and Quinn find themselves caught between what feels safe and what feels real. But he’s terrified of being truly known. And she’s afraid of staying long enough to get hurt.
Will they faceoff with their doubts—or miss their shot at forever?
280 pages, Paperback
Published September 2, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 24, 2026
This was just an easy fun hockey romance which was exactly what I was looking for! I lost steam toward the end and didn’t connect w the lord of the rings/Star Wars references but I still had a good time!!! I love Larissa’s books!
September 8, 2025
Faceoff with Forever: A Sweet Hockey Romance
(Blindsided by Love)
by Larissa Hommes
@larissa_hommes
-I give 4.5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
~How do you make room for something real when you’ve only ever kept things casual? Luke Ryder has built his entire image around being the easygoing fan favorite of the Minnesota Wolves. But behind that charming smile is a man who’s spent his life feeling like an outsider, mastering the art of keeping his real self hidden. That is, until Quinn Fallon reappears in his life with the power to see through it all…
-Faceoff with Forever: A Sweet Hockey Romance, is a quick-paced delightful story. If you enjoy charming hockey players, banter that makes you smile, and swoony closed-door romance, you are in luck with this cute story. I thoroughly enjoyed watching dear characters be able to be seen, to be themselves, and to find their place of belonging. I love how this story beautifully reminds us that love is real and has the power to be ours when we choose to be brave. Watching characters dare for something more had my heart. Seeing them thrive and be happy made my heart sigh! This story is worth the delightfully dear read!🙌🏻📚🏒🎧🩷✨
“We were simply us-seen, chosen, and choosing each other right back.”
•Content: loss (of loved ones), feelings of not measuring up/lost, no language, no violence, kisses only.
“Maybe it’s time you stop trying to be what everyone expects-and just start being who you are.”
#faceoffwithforever
“But it’s not the name that matters. It’s who you are when no one’s looking.”
#blindsidedbylove
“Sometimes the right people don’t just like what they find.
— they treasure it.”
#larissahommes
“This was better. Real. Messy. Chosen. -I realized I hadn’t just found someone to love. I’d found the place I belonged.”
#allaboutthebestreads
(Blindsided by Love)
by Larissa Hommes
@larissa_hommes
-I give 4.5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
~How do you make room for something real when you’ve only ever kept things casual? Luke Ryder has built his entire image around being the easygoing fan favorite of the Minnesota Wolves. But behind that charming smile is a man who’s spent his life feeling like an outsider, mastering the art of keeping his real self hidden. That is, until Quinn Fallon reappears in his life with the power to see through it all…
-Faceoff with Forever: A Sweet Hockey Romance, is a quick-paced delightful story. If you enjoy charming hockey players, banter that makes you smile, and swoony closed-door romance, you are in luck with this cute story. I thoroughly enjoyed watching dear characters be able to be seen, to be themselves, and to find their place of belonging. I love how this story beautifully reminds us that love is real and has the power to be ours when we choose to be brave. Watching characters dare for something more had my heart. Seeing them thrive and be happy made my heart sigh! This story is worth the delightfully dear read!🙌🏻📚🏒🎧🩷✨
“We were simply us-seen, chosen, and choosing each other right back.”
•Content: loss (of loved ones), feelings of not measuring up/lost, no language, no violence, kisses only.
“Maybe it’s time you stop trying to be what everyone expects-and just start being who you are.”
#faceoffwithforever
“But it’s not the name that matters. It’s who you are when no one’s looking.”
#blindsidedbylove
“Sometimes the right people don’t just like what they find.
— they treasure it.”
#larissahommes
“This was better. Real. Messy. Chosen. -I realized I hadn’t just found someone to love. I’d found the place I belonged.”
#allaboutthebestreads
September 29, 2025
The people spoke (even me), Larissa listened and delivered! It’s funny how some blips in plots make you desperate for more, that was the case after seeing Quinn and Ryder dance.
This pairing wasn’t thrust together, instead they were meant to endure the fallout of a misconstrued conversation and some other bumps along the way before even facing each other head on! I love that for them! They learned more about themselves and each other that way!
Quinn Fallon has been forever adrift, never knowing what, where or who to spend time with! With the help of her sister, she interviews for joining the documentary crew that will be following the Minnesota Wolves this season, even if it means getting coffees and hooking up mic packs to the team themselves. It’s a job, something she sorely needs! Over the course of the season, she finds that she really enjoying herself and the director notices too! Getting promoted being more involved with the players becomes fun despite her initial hesitation toward the one player that might have made her feel less than after a potential moment!
[Luke] Ryder is one of the top dogs on the team this season, but he never expected to have to encounter Quinn after a fateful coffee spill some months back. She still caught his eye, but he knew that letting her in again wasn’t going to happen! Yet, his armor begins to crack after his pregame peptalk ends up being recorded by the documentary team! Knowing that he left himself be vulnerable, Ryder was determined to conceal it all away until he runs into Quinn in the editing room. It also afforded him the chance to right his wrong and boy did it ever!
This story has some heavy introspection but is balanced out with fun lighthearted banter. There are also moments of raw vulnerability that play out when allowing someone see the true you and not being ashamed of it! In a word, this book is simply adorkable! These moments make the characters endearing and so glad we got to know them more! This story is proudly going on my shelf as a reminder to be our true self and allowing ourselves to be loved for who and what we are! Bravo Larissa!
This pairing wasn’t thrust together, instead they were meant to endure the fallout of a misconstrued conversation and some other bumps along the way before even facing each other head on! I love that for them! They learned more about themselves and each other that way!
Quinn Fallon has been forever adrift, never knowing what, where or who to spend time with! With the help of her sister, she interviews for joining the documentary crew that will be following the Minnesota Wolves this season, even if it means getting coffees and hooking up mic packs to the team themselves. It’s a job, something she sorely needs! Over the course of the season, she finds that she really enjoying herself and the director notices too! Getting promoted being more involved with the players becomes fun despite her initial hesitation toward the one player that might have made her feel less than after a potential moment!
[Luke] Ryder is one of the top dogs on the team this season, but he never expected to have to encounter Quinn after a fateful coffee spill some months back. She still caught his eye, but he knew that letting her in again wasn’t going to happen! Yet, his armor begins to crack after his pregame peptalk ends up being recorded by the documentary team! Knowing that he left himself be vulnerable, Ryder was determined to conceal it all away until he runs into Quinn in the editing room. It also afforded him the chance to right his wrong and boy did it ever!
This story has some heavy introspection but is balanced out with fun lighthearted banter. There are also moments of raw vulnerability that play out when allowing someone see the true you and not being ashamed of it! In a word, this book is simply adorkable! These moments make the characters endearing and so glad we got to know them more! This story is proudly going on my shelf as a reminder to be our true self and allowing ourselves to be loved for who and what we are! Bravo Larissa!
October 8, 2025
🏒 Interconnected Standalone
🏒 Clean Hockey Romance
🏒 Slow Burn
🏒 Nerdy MMC
🏒 He Falls First
🏒 Forced Proximity
🏒 Found Family
“I used to be so angry that I’d met you, but now? I’m pretty sure you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Luke.”
If you want to giggle and kick your feet then this is the book for you! Luke Ryder reminded me so much of my husband in high school. He played football but was such a nerd. I absolutely adore Ryder and Quinn. Ryder is having an identity crisis. He isn’t sure he feels like Ryder but also isn’t sure if he is Luke anymore. Quinn is such a supportive Queen and really listened to Ryder and tries to get to know the real him. Every King needs a Queen and Quinn is her. The nerdy side of Ryder or should I say Luke was the cutest thing ever. The way that Quinn accepts him and loves him more for it really made my heart melt. The found family was so good and you really feel the moment Quinn feels accepted. I cried 3 times and was not expecting to. It’s not even a sad book. It just really got me in my feels. It’s so good!!!
🤭“Funny.” I leaned in with a smirk that I knew got under her skin. “I think we both know whose jersey you really want to wear.” “Tanner’s?” she fired back without missing a beat. “Because I think we both know I’ll never be wearing your number.” “Mark my words, Quinn. You’ll be wearing my jersey before the season ends.”🤭
🥹“You’re more than just Ryder the hockey player. You’re also Luke, the sci-fi and fantasy lover. And those together make a whole person. One you should be proud of.”🥹
🏒 Clean Hockey Romance
🏒 Slow Burn
🏒 Nerdy MMC
🏒 He Falls First
🏒 Forced Proximity
🏒 Found Family
“I used to be so angry that I’d met you, but now? I’m pretty sure you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Luke.”
If you want to giggle and kick your feet then this is the book for you! Luke Ryder reminded me so much of my husband in high school. He played football but was such a nerd. I absolutely adore Ryder and Quinn. Ryder is having an identity crisis. He isn’t sure he feels like Ryder but also isn’t sure if he is Luke anymore. Quinn is such a supportive Queen and really listened to Ryder and tries to get to know the real him. Every King needs a Queen and Quinn is her. The nerdy side of Ryder or should I say Luke was the cutest thing ever. The way that Quinn accepts him and loves him more for it really made my heart melt. The found family was so good and you really feel the moment Quinn feels accepted. I cried 3 times and was not expecting to. It’s not even a sad book. It just really got me in my feels. It’s so good!!!
🤭“Funny.” I leaned in with a smirk that I knew got under her skin. “I think we both know whose jersey you really want to wear.” “Tanner’s?” she fired back without missing a beat. “Because I think we both know I’ll never be wearing your number.” “Mark my words, Quinn. You’ll be wearing my jersey before the season ends.”🤭
🥹“You’re more than just Ryder the hockey player. You’re also Luke, the sci-fi and fantasy lover. And those together make a whole person. One you should be proud of.”🥹
October 25, 2025
Faceoff With Forever is an adorable, aww-worthy, romantic, witty, heartwarming, deep, relatable, and swoony-worthy read! I am absolutely obsessed! Larissa Holmes is one of my all time favorite authors and this beauty might just be my favorite book of hers to date! I fell head over-heels for these characters and their banter, vulnerability, honesty, hopefulness, and choice to trust oneanother to see their whole selves even the broken parts. This book has a fantastic pace keeping things exciting and engaged the entire book without moving things too fast for the characters. It is a closed door romantic comedy with super swoony moments and heart melting kisses. I love the blend of special occasions settings and just being settings. The at home movie marathons and park dates are some of my favorites because they are so natural yet so special. To say I love this book is an understatement.....I'm OBSESSED and rethinking what I want out of my own love life 😂
Luke Ryder is a MMC I never knew I needed. I never dreamed a man like him could exist which led him to unexpectedly steal my heart. A charming heartthrob and secrert gentle nerd is the combination I never knew I was searching for. Quinn the FMC and Luke are both a complete storm of unfiltered humaness that defies barriers and boxes. I could not love them more. The vivacious kindness and quiet introspection of Quinn is something I adore. Together they are perfection!
Luke Ryder is a MMC I never knew I needed. I never dreamed a man like him could exist which led him to unexpectedly steal my heart. A charming heartthrob and secrert gentle nerd is the combination I never knew I was searching for. Quinn the FMC and Luke are both a complete storm of unfiltered humaness that defies barriers and boxes. I could not love them more. The vivacious kindness and quiet introspection of Quinn is something I adore. Together they are perfection!
November 16, 2025
* This is book 2 in the Blindsided by Love Series and can be read as a standalone
* First person dual pov
* Spice: kisses that don't get too heated
* CW: brief mentions of abandonment and bullying (not detailed)
Having read Breakaway to You, the first book in the series, I was hoping that Quinn would get her own book & I'm so glad that she did. I loved seeing her come into her own & gain confidence in herself, which changed her view of relationships. As for Ryder, I loved his vulnerable side & how he became comfortable in who he was thanks to Quinn's friendship. While the attraction was there between them from the start, I loved the slow burn & how they grew as individuals & as a couple. The banter between them & Ryder & his teammates was fun too. Overall, I really enjoyed this one & can't wait for the next installment of this series.
* First person dual pov
* Spice: kisses that don't get too heated
* CW: brief mentions of abandonment and bullying (not detailed)
Having read Breakaway to You, the first book in the series, I was hoping that Quinn would get her own book & I'm so glad that she did. I loved seeing her come into her own & gain confidence in herself, which changed her view of relationships. As for Ryder, I loved his vulnerable side & how he became comfortable in who he was thanks to Quinn's friendship. While the attraction was there between them from the start, I loved the slow burn & how they grew as individuals & as a couple. The banter between them & Ryder & his teammates was fun too. Overall, I really enjoyed this one & can't wait for the next installment of this series.
February 14, 2026
I adore everything Larissa Hommes writes. Her books are so sweet and are just such comfort reads. I absolutely ADORED Quinn and Ryder’s story. These two had shared a moment in the past, but miscommunication had tainted it. I loved watching them overcome that and start to get to know each other and I loved how they both opened up to each other. Ryder’s character was so much fun and unique to me because this hockey player is an undercover nerd but I loved it so much. He and Quinn were just so great for each other. They both had concerns with the real them being enough for someone, and it was so sweet to watch them believe they were enough for each other.
Thank you so much Larissa for the ARC! If you haven’t read her books yet I highly highly recommend them!
👍🏻Read If You Like:
* hockey romance
* second chance-ish romance
* The Mandalorian
* “I’m Only Me When I’m With You” by Taylor Swift
🛑Content Warnings:
* past bullying
* loss of father
* parent abandonment
🚪Closed Door Romance
Thank you so much Larissa for the ARC! If you haven’t read her books yet I highly highly recommend them!
👍🏻Read If You Like:
* hockey romance
* second chance-ish romance
* The Mandalorian
* “I’m Only Me When I’m With You” by Taylor Swift
🛑Content Warnings:
* past bullying
* loss of father
* parent abandonment
🚪Closed Door Romance
September 18, 2025
Larissa is the queen bee of sweet romances. This is a closed door romance, but it's full of so much heart and banter. I loved Luke, the closet nerdy NHL star who keeps himself guarded and hides who he really is, and Quinn, the FMC who wants everything to be temporary. These two collide and its FIREWORKS! ❤️
🖤 Sports Romance - Hockey
🖤 Guarded MMC
🖤 He Falls First
🖤 Found Family
🖤 Closed Door Romance
🖤 Dual POV
🖤 Sports Romance - Hockey
🖤 Guarded MMC
🖤 He Falls First
🖤 Found Family
🖤 Closed Door Romance
🖤 Dual POV
September 19, 2025
faceoff with forever
Such a fun, sweet rom-com. Ryder and Quinn had a sweet meeting, but then turned to enemies. But the chemistry between them was so strong that the tension between them was very obvious. I loved how they worked to become comfortable with who they really are. A sweet quote: “You were never lost, Quinn. Just…waiting to land.” The banter, the swoony romance, the friendships made this a fabulous read for me.
Such a fun, sweet rom-com. Ryder and Quinn had a sweet meeting, but then turned to enemies. But the chemistry between them was so strong that the tension between them was very obvious. I loved how they worked to become comfortable with who they really are. A sweet quote: “You were never lost, Quinn. Just…waiting to land.” The banter, the swoony romance, the friendships made this a fabulous read for me.
September 14, 2025
Wow! What a terrific and sweet story. A hockey player who has a hidden side and a beautiful girl who has always kept things on surface level. Together they each discover that being their true self is more than enough, it's wonderful. Romantic, sweet, funny, surprising, deep at times, and pretty much a perfect story all the time. Wonderful characters!
September 19, 2025
This hockey series by Larissa just keeps getting better and better!
Quinn and Luke Ryder meet at a hockey gala. They both open up and sparks fly. Or at least Quinn thought. Luke is a charming hockey player who feels like an outsider and hides his true self until he meets Quinn.
Months later, Quinn becomes a production assistant for a documentary on the hockey team Luke plays on. :)3 struggled to find who she is and is always changing jobs. This documentary allows her to find herself and Luke.
Will they reconnect?
Tropes:
Hockey romance
Opposites attract
Forced proximity
He falls first
Quinn and Luke Ryder meet at a hockey gala. They both open up and sparks fly. Or at least Quinn thought. Luke is a charming hockey player who feels like an outsider and hides his true self until he meets Quinn.
Months later, Quinn becomes a production assistant for a documentary on the hockey team Luke plays on. :)3 struggled to find who she is and is always changing jobs. This documentary allows her to find herself and Luke.
Will they reconnect?
Tropes:
Hockey romance
Opposites attract
Forced proximity
He falls first
October 1, 2025
i love when i go into a new book just -knowing- I’m going to love it & it pays off!
this was everything i needed in a romance book right now & proof that this genre is still mostly on the right track 🥹 Luke Ryder, my sweet, nerdy, angel, Luke 😭 i loved him so much.
the soft boy trope will forever be my favorite!!!!
the yearning & pining this man did ugh, my heart.
this was everything i needed in a romance book right now & proof that this genre is still mostly on the right track 🥹 Luke Ryder, my sweet, nerdy, angel, Luke 😭 i loved him so much.
the soft boy trope will forever be my favorite!!!!
the yearning & pining this man did ugh, my heart.
Read
September 22, 2025Seen and Chosen
I love romance and comedy with cute bantering, but I especially enjoyed when Quinn and Luke went deeper. It was so sweet as they started trusting one another and being honest about who they truly were. I loved how they chose each other and for their happy ending.
I love romance and comedy with cute bantering, but I especially enjoyed when Quinn and Luke went deeper. It was so sweet as they started trusting one another and being honest about who they truly were. I loved how they chose each other and for their happy ending.
January 28, 2026
Enjoyable story
What a great story about 2 different people Having Similar from challenges while growing up. They helped each other over come those fears and found love and trust in moving on and letting go.
Really enjoyed this book. Can't wait to read more of her stories.
What a great story about 2 different people Having Similar from challenges while growing up. They helped each other over come those fears and found love and trust in moving on and letting go.
Really enjoyed this book. Can't wait to read more of her stories.
September 28, 2025
I absolutely adore Ryder & Quinn's uncertain, caring, feisty, loving, steady, real, sweet n swoony happily ever after!
November 14, 2025
Loved that there wasn’t a 3rd act fight or breakup. They just kept working on their relationship and communication.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2026
Loved this book, the chemistry and the banter was perfect!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews