Keep Me Close

Chicago Railers Hockey #5

by Jennifer Sucevic

Keep Me Close is an enemies to lovers, forced proximity pro hockey romance featuring a protective hero, a secret crush that refuses to stay hidden, and the kind of slow-burn tension neither of them can ignore.

Genres: Hockey, Audiobook, Sports Romance, Romance, Hockey Romance, Fake Dating, Forced Proximity

343 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 27, 2026

About the author

Jennifer is the USA Today Bestselling Author of King of Campus. She currently resides in Michigan with her husband, kids, a dog named Rocky, and a kitten named Lily. After pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology also from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, she spent five years working as a high school counselor before moving out of state with her family. She enjoys reading, writing, and traveling. Please contact Jennifer at jmolitor6@hotmail.com. Connect with Jennifer on facebook- https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.suc... or check her out on Wattpad- https://www.wattpad.com/user/jsucevic. Jennifer can also be found on Tumblr at jsucevic (inspiration board).

Reviews

[Kayla | Kayla Reads Smut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crack. This series is seriously crack. Once I get one of these books in my hands I can’t put it down. And just as expected, I got Keep Me Close in my hands and there was no way I was going to let go unless you grabbed it from my cold dead hands. That is how obsessed I am with the Chicago Railers series. It has me in a complete chokehold.

If you love a hockey romance with a walking talking green flag golden retriever who is down bad for their FMC, then this entire series needs to be on your TBR. And Keep Me Close, has everything that I love about this series and so much more.

I absolutely loved Knox and Cheyenne's story. Their banter was so much fun! Cheyenne had such a fun personality and always had a witty comeback to Knox. And Knox, he was such a green flag. He's been obsessed with his off limits brother's sister in law but the moment she shows up to his doorstep needing protection and help, he was the only one for the job. And like he's down bad. He has been for years and when he got his opportunity to turn something fake into something real, it was a real memorable time 👀 IYKYK

I will say this, if you have the opportunity to and are an audiobook girlie, definitely do the audio for this book. It is performed in duet narration by THE CJ Bloom and Alex Knox. CJ Bloom was THE perfect Cheyenne. I find CJ does a fabulous narration for a character who has a fun and spunky personality. Her narration really translates well with the banter. And Alex? That man 🫠🫠🫠 enough said. The two together were top tier!

*I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Jennifer Sucevic and VPR for allowing me to listen to the ALC for Keep Me Close in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions and review.

[Bookbakeneko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keep Me Close by Jennifer Sucevic

An overly persistent ex, an escape from her hometown, and a reality TV series have Cheyenne running straight into Knox’s arms for help.

Years of built-up tension and undeniable chemistry have them both questioning everything they thought they knew—and everything they could have together.

I LOVE when a fake-dating scenario turns spicy and, before you know it, very, very real.

This was the perfect mix of swoon, tension and chemistry.

[✨Crystal✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨ALC provided by Valentine PR for an honest review✨

Keep Me Close is a sweet fake relationship, forbidden romance type story between a reality star and her sister’s brother in law who’s always been secretly in love with her 🥰 When Cheyenne has an obsessed ex-boyfriend who doesn’t believe their relationship is over, she decides a fake relationship with her sister’s brother in law hockey player Knox will do the trick. Knowing it will probably be a bad idea since he’s had feeling for Cheyenne for years, Knox decides to help her out anyway to protect her from her stalker ex. But of course fake feelings become real and that’s when the story always gets good 🔥

Unlike the other books in this series, this one seemed short to me for some reason. Though the relationship was fake, they became real super quick! I did love the supportive relationship they had though, and Knox was the protective alpha boyfriend everyone loves to read about 🥰 And I always love the cameos from past characters in the series showing up for their fellow team mates ❤️

The audiobook was duet narrated by CJ Bloom and Alex Knox who were both amazing at nailing their characters personalities! This book was a little predictable compared to the other books in this series, but it was still a fun listen! I give it 3.5 stars and recommend checking it out ❤️

[Sydney B · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘧𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦, 𝘊𝘩𝘦𝘺. 𝘐’𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘴.”

4/⭐️
2/🌶️

Audiobook Review 🎧
Duet narration by CJ Bloom and Alex Knox

Knox and Cheyenne 🥹 omg I wasn’t prepared for this one to hit me so hard in the feels!! Knox was ALL in and I loved watching Cheyenne feel safe and loved by him! One of my favorite parts of a fake dating is when that moment hits of ‘this was never fake’ cause SWOON!!! And the mouth on Knox?! 🫠🫠

I absolutely love this friend group and seeing them all together! 👏🏼 this series is SO GOOD and if you’re a fan of OBSESSED men, then you need this one!!! These men are so down bad and it has me feral over them!

And another absolutely banger of an audio!! 👏🏼 CJ and Alex absolutely nailed this one! The banter, the emotions, all of it!! I had the best time doing an immersive read with this one and can’t recommend it enough!

🩵 what to expect -
Fake Dating
Hate To Love 
Reality Star Herione 
Obsessed & Protective Hero 
Heroine in Danger 
Forced Proximity 
Off Limits 
Secret Pining 
He Falls First and Harder

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC received from Jennifer Sucevic in exchange for honest review.

⚡BLURB⚡
Knox McNichols and I have one thing in common—we can't stand each other.
He's the NHL playboy who enjoys getting under my skin, and thanks to the marriage between our siblings, avoiding him isn't an option.
When my ex refuses to take no for an answer, I show up at Knox's penthouse with a desperate proposal—pretend to be my boyfriend.
The plan is simple: convince my ex I've moved on.
Except Knox has a few rules...
Rule #1: No flirting with anyone but him.
Rule #2: If my ex contacts me, I tell him immediately.
Rule #3: My location stays on at all times.
His rules should send me running.
Instead, they make me wonder if the man I've spent years fighting with is hiding something entirely different beneath his easy smiles and reputation as hockey's favorite playboy.
The more time we spend together, the harder it becomes to ignore the sparks between us—or Knox’s determination to protect me at all costs.
When pretending starts to feel a little too real, I realize there might be something far more dangerous than my ex refusing to let me go.
It's discovering that the man I've spent years fighting with just might be the one I can't live without.

⚡REVIEW⚡
Jennifer Sucevic has not put a foot wrong so far with her Chicago Railers series, so I was super hyped for Keep Me Close. Ho boy. She shoots, she scores (again!).

Jennifer has been firmly in her Golden Retriever era with this series, and whilst Knox has a slightly darker coat, the essence is still there. When Cheyenne Benson, his brother's S-I-L, turns up at his penthouse requesting a fake dating arrangement, his mind explodes a bit. Because he's been crushing on her forever, despite how much they bait each other up. He genuinely doesn't understand why she's chosen him for this fake relationship, but he throws himself in with gusto, even without knowing the full gory details about her ex. The rules he throws in... Super possessive. So much so, you wonder whether he is going to be too strong a character in his idolisation of his woman. But Jennifer knew exactly what she was doing, and once things are acknowledged as real, he is all about empowering Cheyenne and freeing her from the trappings of her life until the point she fled to him. His self control is incredibly impressive, particularly because he gauges what she needs from him at all times, disregarding what he might want. Her safety and wellbeing is paramount, at all times. It is not lightly that I say, Knox McNichols has eclipsed Steele as my favourite Chicago Railer (ahem!).

Cheyenne Benson has very much escaped a cage when she arrives at Knox's penthouse. Having lived almost her entire life in front of the cameras on a reality show, she has fled, knowing that the messy breakup will be made part of the show, and that her ex's behaviour is terrifying her - any show exposure would give him too much access to her. So she's turned to the man who she trades sharp barbs with, but has secretly found interesting in all the time they've known each other. Knowing her only other option is to go back to LA, she agrees to Knox's possessive terms, never dreaming that things could develop between them. As her ex's behaviour becomes more deranged, it is Knox who steps in and not only protects her from that, but also sees that she needs to breathe away from the reality show staged lifestyle. As he shows her a life away from cameras and directors ruling her every movement, Cheyenne begins to flourish. Her friendship with the other Railers WAGS is genuine and something she has never had before. He may call her Hollywood, but inside, Cheyenne craves normality, makeup-free runs, run of the mill date days and a life that is truly her own.

The romance between these two characters was so beautifully curated. What began with a desperate plea sees Knox getting to the heart of Cheyenne's real desires from life, and she fulfils his need for genuine connection and partnership. They go through the trauma of a spurned ex together, before discovering that what was meant to be fake was actually the start of something perfect. This was not the spiciest of the series, but I loved that it was genuine and unapologetically authentic when it came to their connection. It is my favourite romance of the series so far too.

Of course, the Evelyn and Hugh subplot was woven throughout this novel as it was with the others, and there is a moment that will absolutely take your breath away. My lips are sealed but tears tracked down my face! I am itching to see what comes next! And I'd love to know if we're going to get a full novel devoted to those two. The epilogues also gave us some insight into the next couple to get the Chicago Railers treatment - Jax and Sloane. I'm already utterly invested. I think they have the potential to have the most devastating story so far (even more so than Kia and Laiken!).

Keep Me Close is undoubtedly my favourite Jennifer Sucevic novel, ever. It feels like there is such a deep understanding of each other by the lead characters, and they know exactly what the other needs from them at all times, which means they bring out the very best in each other. I'm a sucker for a fake dating trope, and this one was close to perfection in its execution. I adored the characters, I adored the romance, the spice was so beautiful in it's authenticity, and as always, the supporting cast were *chef's kiss*. It was an absolute joy reading this novel - Jennifer is at her very best, and I truly struggle to see how she can top this. But I wait in utter anticipation to see her try!

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review this book!

[MJLovestoRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keep Me Close is my first from Jennifer Sucevic and it will definitely NOT be my last! I'm not sure how I missed reading this talented wordsmith's work, but this book had me turning the pages as fast as I could to find out how Chicago hockey star Knox McNichols and the woman he has pined for, reality star Cheyenne Benson, would finally get together. Oh my goodness, these two! Chemistry for days and their fake boyfriend/girlfriend scenario in order to convince Chey's crazy ex to back off, only led to increased want and I was there for every spark-inducing moment.

Knox and Chey have always been in each other's lives since his brother and her sister were married with kids. But I found it very sweet that both acted uninterested whenever they were in the same proximity, yet were wildly attracted to the other nonetheless. When Knox agrees to help Chey out, I knew it was only a matter of time, especially when they agree to live under the same roof, that their mutual desire would eventually win out and lines would be spectacularly crossed and real love would eventually win out. It's always fun to be proven right but damn, the slow-burn journey these two embark upon had me sweating and squirming as they took their time to finally reveal their true feelings to one another.

Sucevic does a fabulous job in how much Knox respected Chey and only wanted what was best for her psyche, her career and her future. He is so supportive of her ongoing need to rid herself of her family's reality show and make a life for herself, no matter what that might look like. Her knight in hockey skates is a dream and I just adored him and how much he cared for his Chey. Despite him coming from hockey royalty, he's grounded and caring for those in his life, both on and off the rink.

Although it takes Chey a bit longer to come out of her shell, so to speak, and finally grab onto what she wants next in her life, I felt as if her own personal journey was paced perfectly, in line with what was happening with Knox. I loved for her that Knox's tight circle of friends and family take her in easily, making her one of the crew almost immediately upon meeting. Her life as a reality star had been taxing and I could tell it had run its course. As did Knox and his patience in allowing Chey to find the strength to confront her momager and the life she wanted to leave behind in California only endeared himself to her and to this smitten reader that much more.

Chey's ex takes one too many opportunities to confront her and the way Knox protects what he hopes is his forever made me swoon. He's never over the top with his actions, but puts his size, his deep voice and his fists into use when necessary. A gentle giant you don't not want to mess with.

I think what I loved most was that both Chey and Knox saw in the other what they perhaps both had simply taken for granted. That being a good person may just be something as natural as breathing but for each of them, when it came to each other's needs and wants, they had their own kind of rhythm that was uniquely theirs. I mean, talk about meant to be: these two are the very definition.

There is plenty of steam that is both beautiful and naughty af. Let's just say a piano bench is the scene of both comfort and desire and each scene involving this usually mundane piece of furniture is made into something that will forever mean so much more to our couple.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the side relationship that has the women of this book all excited and interested and had me quite curious as well. Sucevic gives us a taste of what Hugh and Evelyn have gone through and as someone who has not read the prior books in this series, trust me when I say that I am all kinds of curious if this plays out in each of the storylines. With the few late chapters in their points of view has me wanting a full book of their past and current tortured feelings. These two owners of the Chicago Railers add just the right touch of additional angst in an otherwise excellent book.

Ok, since I'm firmly a fan of this wonderful book that features two extremely likable and endearing characters, I will for sure go back and start at the beginning since meeting all of the other Railers family members have me intrigued as to their own love stories. Jennifer Sucevic writes from the heart, gives her characters real emotion and gives her readers all the feels and so much more. I don't know about you, but you can't get much better than that, especially from this rabid reader who took a chance on a new-to-me author, hopeful it would be a great experience. Giving Keep Me Close a huge 5 stars proves I made the right decision.

[Audio book lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

🏒💙 Enemies to lovers, fake dating, secret pining, and a hockey hero who has been down bad for years. 💙🏒

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Spice-meter: 🌶️🌶️☆☆☆ (2/5)
Audiobook: 🎧 Duet
Series: Chicago Railers Hockey, Book 5 (interconnected standalone)
HEA: Yes

After Promise Me This, I was excited to jump back into the Chicago Railers world, and Keep Me Close was such a fun change of pace.

Jennifer Sucevic once again delivers an addictive hockey romance, but this one leans much more into banter, chemistry, fake dating, and swoony romance than the emotional heaviness of the previous book.

And honestly? I had a great time with it.

The pacing worked really well for me. The story moves along quickly without feeling like it is rushing through the romance, and there was always enough happening to keep me invested. I especially enjoyed how naturally the tension between Knox and Chey developed. Their chemistry, teasing, and general inability to leave each other alone made their relationship incredibly entertaining to follow.

Knox was probably my favorite part of this book.

Give me a hero who looks like a cocky hockey playboy on the outside but is actually completely gone for his woman, and I am sold. The secret pining, protective behavior, and the fact that he clearly falls harder than he ever intended made him ridiculously easy to love.

The fake-dating trope was also done really well here. It gives them plenty of forced proximity and opportunities for the chemistry to build without the romance feeling artificially dragged out. There is a lovely balance between the playful moments and the more emotional ones, and I really liked seeing Knox's softer side come through underneath all that confidence.

Compared to Promise Me This, this one definitely feels lighter and more playful. The spice level is also fairly low, but the chemistry is still strong enough that I never felt like the romance was missing anything.

One thing I particularly love about this series is that the previous couples continue to feel like part of the bigger Chicago Railers universe. Evelyn and Hugh's storyline continues to develop in the background, and there is one particular moment involving them that absolutely destroyed me.

I am saying nothing more.

And then those epilogues gave us a little taste of Jax and Sloane, and I am already invested. I have a feeling their story could be one of the most emotionally brutal ones in the series so far, and naturally, I am already impatient for it.

🎧 Narration

Performed in duet by CJ Bloom and Alex Knox, and they were fantastic together.

CJ Bloom captured Chey's personality really well, especially her frustration, vulnerability, and the gradual shift in her feelings toward Knox.

Alex Knox was absolutely perfect for Knox. He brought the cocky, teasing hockey-player energy, but also managed to switch effortlessly into the protective and more emotional side of his character.

Their performances added a lot to the banter and chemistry, and the duet format worked beautifully for this story.

What I Loved

✔️ Fun enemies-to-lovers dynamic
✔️ Fake dating
✔️ Secret pining
✔️ Hero falls first and harder
✔️ Completely obsessed/protective MMC
✔️ Great banter
✔️ Strong chemistry
✔️ Easy, addictive pacing
✔️ Continued storylines from previous books
✔️ No unnecessary third-act breakup

Tropes & Vibes

✔️ Hockey Romance
✔️ Enemies to Lovers
✔️ Fake Dating
✔️ Secret Pining
✔️ Off-Limits Romance
✔️ Protective & Possessive Hero
✔️ Playboy Hero
✔️ He Falls First & Harder
✔️ Secretly Obsessed Hero
✔️ Forced Proximity
✔️ Persistent Ex
✔️ Reality Star FMC
✔️ Dual POV – 1st Person

Final Thoughts

Keep Me Close was a really enjoyable addition to the Chicago Railers series. It is fun, swoony, romantic, and easy to devour, with just the right amount of angst and plenty of chemistry between the main characters.

It doesn't have quite the same emotional depth as Promise Me This, but it doesn't need to. This one is all about the banter, tension, secret pining, fake dating, and watching a supposedly carefree hockey playboy turn completely obsessed with one woman.

The only thing I am taking away from this book is that I now need Evelyn and Hugh's story and after those glimpses of Jax and Sloane, apparently I need that one too.

Jennifer Sucevic, please stop giving me new couples to obsess over. I have a TBR to maintain.

[Sophie Sosweetysocrazy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cheyenne & Knox are 💗💚🦄🥰😍🔥

Tout d’abord merci à Valentine PR pour l’envoi de ce service presse que j’ai reçu pour mon plus grand plaisir.

Si vous lisez mes chroniques, vous connaissez mon amour inconditionnel pour les romances sportives et surtout quand ça tourne autour du hockey.

Jennifer Sucevic est une autrice qui sait écrire des histoires autour du sport et je suis fan de sa plume depuis le début. Elle sort un livre et il finit d’office dans ma bibliothèque, elle fait partie de mes autrices chouchous et je ne suis jamais déçue en la lisant. Ceci étant dit, cette review ne sera donc pas du tout objective, et en plus chaque tome de cette série est un coup de cœur ❤️ et avec ce tome 5, elle a encore surpassé les autres héros. Chaque tome est meilleur que le précédent et même si on se dit que ce n’est pas possible et bien je vous assure que oui !

C’est donc le tome 5 de la série Chicago Railers Hockey, on va suivre Cheyenne & Knox. Tous les deux ont une histoire commune. En effet, la soeur de Cheyenne est mariée avec le grand frère de Knox. Et c’est un insta love, c’est à dire que Knox au premier regard est tombé amoureux d’elle mais comme elle lui était interdite, il s’est toujours mis des barrières à tel point que toute sa famille à lui et même Cheyenne, ont toujours pensé qu’il la détestait.
Il a donc toujours refoulé ses sentiments mais depuis quelques temps, malgré son succès dans l’équipe des Railers et à voir que ses coéquipiers et amis sont quasi tous casés et ont trouvé leur moitié, il commence à lui aussi vouloir se poser.
Cheyenne est une enfant star depuis toujours et a un show de télé-réalité sur sa vie mais elle s’essouffle et a l’impression de ne plus être maîtresse de sa propre vie, la faute a sa mère aussi, qui est sa manager mais qui ne voit que le fric et pas les intérêts de sa fille.
Son ex commence à être un peu trop lourd et pesant, elle part de Los Angeles et se rend à Chicago pour demander de l’aide afin que son ex comprenne que c’est fini. Elle pense alors à Knox qui est la seule personne auquel son ex ne penserait pas et qui pourrait devenir son faux petit ami pour un temps.
Elle se présente alors chez lui et malgré ses réticences, il finit par accepter. Sauf que son ex tourne au sociopathe car il est obsédé par Cheyenne et en devient dangereux. Knox devient alors hyper protecteur et l’invite à rester chez elle.

Il faut dire que tous les 2 ensemble font des étincelles et la tension entre eux est crépitante de fou.
Leur colocation en proximité forcée va augmenter les sentiments entre eux. Chacun va vraiment apprendre à connaître l’autre notamment Cheyenne qui a beaucoup de préjugés sur Knox qui s’avèrent totalement faux.

Dans cette série tous les hommes sont des green flags, des hommes capables mais Knox a vraiment surpassé tous ses amis. Il est obsessed, protecteur, romantique, adorable, attentionné, il sait même jouer du piano, bref un parfait bookboyfriend.

Quant à Cheyenne, en venant à Chicago, elle va apprendre la vraie valeur de l’amitié avec les filles (les héroïnes des précédents tomes) et comment être intégrée dans un groupe sans aucun jugement. Elle qui a toujours vécu dans le monde faux du showbiz, ça va radicalement la changer et lui ouvrir les yeux. Elle va aussi apprendre à devenir elle-même et se battre pour ses choix.

J’ai adoré leur alchimie et leurs connexions, c’est vraiment un couple qui est apparu comme une évidence dès le départ, il leur aura juste fallu quelques années pour s’en rendre compte. Mais comme on dit mieux vaut tard que jamais.
Je le dis à chaque nouveau tome, mais ce tome est mon préféré et pourtant chaque tome est un coup de cœur à sa façon.

Le found family est toujours autant présent des 2 côtés et les interactions entre tous sont toujours aussi drôles. C’est un plaisir de retrouver tous les personnages des livres précédents. Les filles sont adorables mais aussi très protectrices avec Cheyenne dans ce tome.

La plume addictive de l’autrice joue beaucoup. C’est une histoire qui se lit vite très vite, tellement elle est bien, tellement on se régale. Je ne peux que vous recommander de la découvrir ainsi que toute la série. Je n’ai qu’une hâte c’est de découvrir le prochain tome.

[Cigi cini · Rating 5 out of 5]

🏒 Hockey Romance
🔥 Enemies to Lovers
💞 Fake Dating
🤫 Secret Pining
🚫 Off Limits Romance
👫 Sibling’s In-Law
🛡️ Protective Hero
😏 Playboy Hero
💘 He Falls First
🥹 He’s Been Pining
⚡ Forced Proximity
💔 Persistent Ex
🔥 Boy Obsessed Hero
🌶️ Spicy Romance
✨ No Third Act Breakup
❤️ Happily Ever After

Star: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

Narrators: CJ Bloom | Alex Knox

Keep Me Close is a fun, swoony, spicy, and addictive enemies to lovers hockey romance packed with fake dating, years of unresolved tension, secret pining, and a hero who turns out to be far more obsessed with his girl than anyone realises. As the fifth book in Jennifer Sucevic’s Chicago Railers series, Knox and Chey deliver all the banter, chemistry, protectiveness, and emotion I love in this series.

Knox McNichols has built himself a reputation as the NHL playboy who never takes anything too seriously. He also happens to be the one man who knows exactly how to get under Chey’s skin. Thanks to their siblings being married, they have spent years circling each other, trading jabs, and pretending the sparks flying between them are nothing more than irritation.

When Chey’s ex refuses to accept that their relationship is over, Knox becomes the last person she expects to turn to for help. Her solution is simple. Knox will pretend to be her boyfriend long enough to convince her ex that she has moved on. Except Knox takes his new role very seriously, complete with rules about flirting, keeping her location on, and telling him immediately if her ex contacts her.

I loved watching their relationship shift once the fake dating began. All those years of teasing and arguing suddenly take on a completely different meaning, especially when it becomes obvious that Knox’s feelings are anything but fake. Beneath the easy smiles and playboy reputation is an incredibly protective, caring, and completely gone man who has been hiding just how much Chey means to him.

The chemistry between these two was fantastic. Their banter made the enemies to lovers element so much fun, but it was Knox’s secret pining and the way his protective side came roaring out that really won me over. There is something so satisfying about watching a supposed playboy become completely focused on one woman, and Knox definitely delivers that boy obsessed energy.

There is also enough tension surrounding Chey’s ex to add another layer to the story without taking away from the romance. I especially loved that we get to enjoy Knox and Chey actually figuring out their relationship rather than having everything destroyed by unnecessary drama near the end.

CJ Bloom and Alex Knox were fantastic together and brought so much personality to the audiobook. CJ captured Chey’s frustration, vulnerability, and growing feelings beautifully, while Alex was perfect as Knox, especially when his teasing confidence gave way to that protective, possessive side. Their performances made the banter, chemistry, and emotional moments even better.

Keep Me Close was another entertaining addition to the Chicago Railers series. If you love hockey romance, fake dating, enemies to lovers, secret pining, protective heroes, and discovering that the man you thought couldn’t stand you has actually wanted you all along, Knox and Chey’s story is definitely one to pick up.

[Yami’s Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

📕 Book 60 of 2026 📚

🏒 MMC: Knox McNichols
🎥 FMC: Cheyenne Benson
🌶️ Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
⭐️ Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I opened Keep Me Close today thinking I was going to read for a little while and then get on with everything else I had to do. That plan lasted about five minutes. 😂 I ended up reading the entire book in one sitting because I genuinely did not want to put it down.

At this point, the Chicago Railers series has me completely invested, and Knox and Cheyenne’s story was exactly the kind of romance I was hoping for.

These two already had years of history between them. They knew exactly how to annoy each other, push each other’s buttons, and keep the banter going. But once Cheyenne shows up at Knox’s place needing help, everything between them starts to shift.

Cheyenne is dealing with so much when she comes to him. Her life has been lived in front of cameras for years, and now she is trying to get away from an ex who refuses to let go. She needs space, safety, and somewhere she can finally breathe. Knox ends up being that person for her.

And I really loved him for that.

Knox definitely has that confident hockey player reputation, but there was so much more to him once we got to see how he was with Cheyenne. He paid attention to her. He listened. He wanted to protect her, but he never made her feel like she couldn’t make her own decisions. I loved seeing that softer side of him come out.

It also becomes very clear that his feelings for Cheyenne did not suddenly appear because of their fake dating situation. They had been there for a while. A LONG while. 😂 Watching those feelings finally come out was probably one of my favorite parts of the book.

Cheyenne’s growth was another thing I really enjoyed. She had spent so much of her life doing what other people expected from her, so seeing her start to figure out what she wanted for herself made her story feel like more than just the romance. I especially loved seeing her experience normal little things away from the reality TV world and build real friendships with the other women.

And of course, the romance was SO GOOD.

The fake dating setup was fun, the tension between them had already been building for years, and once they stopped fighting what was happening between them, I was completely sold. Their relationship felt natural because they already knew each other so well, even if most of that relationship had previously consisted of teasing and driving each other crazy.

There were also several moments with the rest of the Chicago Railers characters that had me emotional. I am not saying anything because I do not want to spoil it, but Jennifer definitely left me wondering where a few of these storylines are going next.

This one had hockey, fake dating, years of hidden feelings, plenty of banter, some emotional moments, and a couple I really believed belonged together.

The fact that I read all of Keep Me Close in one day probably says more than anything else I could write here. I was completely caught up in Knox and Cheyenne’s story from beginning to end.

Now I am ready for the next Chicago Railers book because apparently I have no patience when it comes to this series. 😂🏒💕

Keep Me Close releases August 27th!

[canadian_girlreadfeastrepeat Basra · Rating 4 out of 5]

ALC Review
Keep Me Close - Book 5: Chicago Railers Hockey
by Jennifer Sucevic
Narrated by: CJ Bloom, & Alex Knox

Jennifer Sucevic has firmly established herself in her Golden Retriever era with this series, and whilst Knox has a slightly darker coat, the essence is absolutely still there. From the moment Cheyenne Benson his brother’s sister-in-law turns up at his penthouse asking him to enter into a fake-dating arrangement, Knox’s world is turned upside down. Mostly because he’s been crushing on her for years, despite how much they love to bait and rile each other up.

Knox has absolutely no idea why Cheyenne pickb her fake-dating plan, but he doesn’t exactly need much convincing! The second she shows up at his door needing help, he’s all in and this man has been down bad for her for years. 😂

And the rules he comes up with? Oh, Knox. 😂 Let’s just say his protective and possessive side comes out in full force. But honestly, watching that evolve throughout the story was one of my favorite parts. Beneath all that intensity is a man who genuinely wants Cheyenne to feel safe, happy, and, most importantly, free.

Once their fake relationship starts feeling a little too real, Knox becomes completely focused on supporting Cheyenne and helping her take back control of her life. His self-control was honestly impressive because, despite how much he wanted her, he was always paying attention to what she needed first. Major green-flag energy. 💚

And can we talk about their banter?! I loved these two together. Cheyenne was hilarious and never let Knox get the last word, which made their back-and-forth so much fun. She gave as good as she got, and Knox clearly lived for every second of it.

This man has been pining for his off-limits sister-in-law for YEARS, so when his chance finally comes to turn their fake relationship into something real? He wastes absolutely no time. 😂 And honestly, watching this man finally get his girl was so satisfying. I was cheering them on the entire way!

And then there’s Evelyn and Hugh… 👀 Their storyline continues to simmer in the background, but this book delivers one moment that absolutely blindsided me. I can’t say a word without spoiling it, but let’s just say… the tears were real. 😭 Now I’m officially desperate for more. Jennifer, please tell me Evelyn and Hugh are getting their own book?! Because I need answers and I need them yesterday! 👀

The epilogues also gave us a glimpse of the next couple to receive the Chicago Railers treatment: Jax and Sloane. I am already completely invested. Performed in duet by CJ Bloom and Alex Knox, and they were fantastic together.Their performances added so much to the banter and chemistry between the characters, and the duet format worked beautifully for this story.

Thank you to Jennifer Sucevic and VPR for allowing me to listen to the ALC of Keep Me Close in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions, and review.

[Merrit Townsend (always1morebook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keep Me Close by Jennifer Sucevic
Chicago Railers Series, Book 5

Okayyyy… Knox. This man has been in love with Cheyanne for a LONG time, but apparently his way of showing it is to act like a complete ass every time she’s around. Meanwhile, Cheyanne has always thought Knox was immature and wanted absolutely nothing to do with his nonsense. Until....she needs his help.

Enter fake dating, a stalker, and two people who probably should have figured out their feelings a whole lot sooner. I LOVED watching these two finally figure their shit out. Knox’s protective side... The things that come out of this man’s mouth.... And when I tell you this book was HOT… OH MY GOD kind of Hot!. These two had chemistry for days. But underneath all that heat, both Knox and Cheyanne are carrying their own baggage, and I really loved seeing how that affected the way they interacted with each other. There was so much more to their story than just the enemies-to-lovers banter and sexual tension.

And Cheyanne’s mom… Let me just say, that woman is one HARDCORE bitch. I had some thoughts and not a single one was good.

I enjoyed getting to see the rest of the team and their loved ones. Every book feels like you’re getting invited back into this big, slightly chaotic family, and I LOVE it. This one definitely gave me those family-reunion vibes........ And then there’s Hugh and Evelyn…

Their story has been slowly unfolding throughout the last five books, almost like a little extra story running alongside the main romances. And somehow, I have become SO SO SO invested in these two! Every book gives us another little piece of their story, and this one gave us A LOT. Honestly, it reminds me of getting the Sunday paper and finding that little surprise waiting for you each week. You know it’s coming, but you still have no idea what you’re going to get. And THIS installment had me tearing up. Now I’m sitting here like… okay Jennifer, I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO HUGH AND EVELYN. Especially knowing the final book is coming.

The narration by CJ Bloom and Alex Knox was SO GOOD! They pulled these two characters off extremely well because I could literally see them in my head while I was listening. Alex’s voice was PERFECT for Knox. He gave him that carefree vibe that fit Knox so well, but he could switch it up and bring the seriousness when the moment called for it. And CJ Bloom was the PERFECT voice for Cheyanne. You could hear her vulnerability come through in the performance, and she gave Cheyanne a voice that just felt absolutely right for her. I really enjoyed their performances. They didn’t just narrate this story.....they brought these characters and their story to life, and that made the whole listening experience even better.

Now excuse me while I go obsess over Hugh and Evelyn........I swear their story is going to kill me before this series is over!

[Rainbowlovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keep Me Close is the fifth book of the Chicago Railers Hockey series and for this book we get Knox and Cheyenne's story.

We get the feeling that Knox is a little bit of a Playboy, but within the first Chapter it becomes clear why that is. Our boy is in the trenches of unrequited love (or so he thinks).
But even this Playboy has a heart of gold and when the object of his desire has a favour to ask Knox is ready to be what she needs.

Cheyenne's in need of help with a fake dating plan, and she has the perfect person in mind-Knox. Facing a breakup gone sideways, and a family (the Mum basically) making demands of her and choices for her Chey is wanting to have some control of her life. But to get the opportunity she needs some space and a cover story, enter Knox.

The chemistry between Chey and Knox is great while initially you think there's a dislike between them, it becomes clear very quickly that isn't the case as the two of them have been harbouring feelings for the other to some degree. When Chey pushes it's not because she doesn't trust Knox, it's because she wants some control. And Knox just wants to be the safe place Chey needs in anyway he can. The way he supports and believes in her, even when she's struggling to do that for herself is major golden retriever vibes and I'm here for it.

Fake Dating is a trope I love, and I enjoyed this even more thanks to the ex Dakota being so unlikeable (he's a little unhinged let's just say that).

I love how Chey fitted into Knox’s world perfectly, and how the girls were so welcoming of Chey into their group. I love a good supportive sisterhood.

All in all Keep Me Close is a 5 star read from the start to finish. The extra epilogue was brilliant and the bonus chapters are alwaslys a welcome surprise.

What to expect
🩵 Interconnected Standalone
🏒 Hockey Romance
🩵 Reality Star x Ice Hockey Player
🏒 Fake Dating..... Til it's not
🩵 He Falls First & Hard
🏒 Longterm Secret Pining (Knox is down bad for our girl Chey)
🩵 Angst (Family & Ex)
🏒 I'll Keep You Safe
🩵 Possessive Alpha MMC
🏒 Sunshine FMC
🩵 Interlinking Characters (Chicago Railers, Western Wildcats Knox is Colby's brother and Chey is Britt's sister, Whitney & Gray are Knox’s parents from The Breakup Plan)
🏒 Second Gen Romance
🩵 Self Discovery Journey for FMC
🏒 Forced Proximity
🩵 Hate To Love
🏒 Steamy Scenes
🩵 Dual POV
🏒 Rom Com Vibes
🩵 5 Star Read
🏒 HEAs

I loved Knox and Chey's story I knew from the get go I would and Jennifer didn't disappoint. I'm excited from the bonus chapters for whats to come next not only in the Hugh and Evelyn saga, but Jax and Sloane's (I have a feeling I'm going to binge that one hard).

[Nikki Dunlap · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennifer Sucevic has officially ruined me for fake dating.

Keep Me Close was another fantastic installment in the Chicago Railers series. Knox and Cheyenne completely pulled me in. Their relationship had that perfect mix of sharp banter, unresolved tension, undeniable chemistry, and the kind of emotional depth that makes it impossible to put the book down.

Knox has been carrying a torch for Cheyenne for what feels like forever, so watching their dynamic shift when she suddenly needs his help was EVERYTHING. He may act like he has everything under control, but underneath all that confidence is a man who knows exactly what he wants. And once Cheyenne becomes his priority, that protective side comes out in full force. 🥵

Cheyenne was such a fantastic heroine, too. She’s dealing with a situation that is genuinely frightening, and I loved watching her find her strength while slowly realizing that Knox could be the safe place she never knew she needed. Their relationship didn’t feel like it jumped from fake to real overnight. The feelings, trust, and vulnerability built naturally, which made their eventual payoff that much better.

And the chemistry? WHEW. 🔥 These two had been circling each other for so long that when they finally stopped fighting the attraction, it was worth every single second of waiting. But what really made this romance stand out was that there was so much more beneath the heat. They challenged each other, understood each other, and brought out sides of one another that had been hidden for years.

One of my favorite parts of this series is how every book still feels connected to the bigger Railers family, and this one was no exception. Getting more time with the couples we’ve already met made the story feel like coming home to a wonderfully chaotic group of people. And then there’s Hugh and Evelyn… Jennifer, I NEED ANSWERS. The breadcrumbs throughout this series have me completely invested in their story, and I am absolutely not emotionally prepared for whatever is coming next. 😭

Keep Me Close gave me everything I want from a romance: characters I cared about, a relationship that kept me turning pages, plenty of tension, a protective hero, a strong heroine, and just enough drama to keep things moving.

Knox and Cheyenne officially have my whole heart. ❤️

Jennifer Sucevic continues to prove why the Chicago Railers series is one I can’t get enough of. If you haven’t started this series yet, consider this your sign to fix that immediately.

Fake dating + hockey + forced proximity + a protective hero + years of hidden feelings = ABSOLUTELY YES. 🏒🔥

I can’t wait for Sloan and Jax next!!!

Thank you Jennifer and ValentinePr for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Maddie (Bookaholic_Dreamer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

Keep Me Close is book 5 from Jennifer Sucevic’s Chicago Railers Hockey series.
The story follows pro hockey player Knox McNichols and reality star Cheyenne ‘Chey’ Marie Benson and told through their dual perspective.

Knox and Cheyenne may have set foot in one another’s lives courtesy of their siblings Colby McNichols and Britt Benson being married to each other.
However the years of growing tension and sizzling chemistry was very much their own, ultimately paving the way for their slow burn journey that neither of the two could resist, especially when fighting a secret crush that refused to stay buried.
Leading to Knox and Cheyenne’s relationship to slowly but surely evolve and build upon from being a fake one to a very much real one once all came to head.
But of course their journey had them putting up a fight seeing as they were both holding back their real feelings, trying to fight it, leading to some back and forth with pushing and pulling.

Knox may have claimed he was playing the part of the fake boyfriend when it came to coming to Cheyenne's rescue.
But you could tell it was very much real considering how cute, sweet and heartwarming he was in being the overprotective boyfriend. Always putting Cheyenne first by having her best interest at heart in the way he cared and looked after her. As well as always supporting her and her decisions in some situations they found themselves navigating through.
And for that, he definitely had you swooning in seeing not only just how great of a person he was, as well as boyfriend too, be it fake or real.

The camaraderie in the found family that came from Knox’s friends/teammates and family was a nice addition. And something I enjoyed very much, particularly from the entertainment given the teasing and joking.
But also from seeing the sense of love and adoration with how all the secondary characters continued to be there not only for one another. But in this case for Knox and Cheyenne, despite her being a stranger to them at first.

The story did give me a sense of deja vu given the similarities it shared with Promise Me This storyline.
In particular when it came to the tropes of Fake Relationship, Overprotective MMC and the Heroine needing protecting from toxic, Stalking Ex.

This may just be me, but it seemed like a subplot seemed to be forgotten at one point, with not being mentioned or alluded too for quite sometime.
Only to be brought back out of the blue, causing it to feel a little choppy IMO with the consistency not always being there despite it seeming to be important with having a direct link to the overall storyline.

Despite my issues, author Jennifer Sucevic still came through with delivering a cute and sweet story that showcased the flourishing love story between Knox and Cheyenne, which made for an overall enjoyable reading experience.



*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the Audiobook of this story by Jennifer Sucevic and it is another triumph for the Chicago Railers Hockey series.
This is Knox's book.
Knox McNichols He is a Hockey player and has the reputation of being a play boy, and has had a crush on Reality TV Star Cheyenne Benson for a long time.They have known one another for a while as their siblings are married to eachother(His brother and Cheyannes sister are married).
But they have always acted indifferent to one another hiding the secret crushes they had on eachother,and then everything changes when Cheyenne comes to him for help.
Cheyanne needs a fake boyfriend because her Ex won't except their break up,he is basically stalking her and she doesn't feel safe.She needs her Ex to see she has moved on and he needs to move on also.She is also hiding from her life the reality show she stars in does not make her happy anymore,she wants something different.
I felt bad for Cheyanne her Mother is not supportive,she is controlling and I feel like Cheyanne felt trapped.
Cheyanne goes to Knox to ask him to be her fake boyfriend..You can imagine his shock the woman he has always craved wants him to be her boyfriend,he is reluctant but agrees.
And My word what a great fake boyfriend he becomes very protective and swoony.
Knox basically obliterates ALL the stereotypes that his reputation has,instead he is loyal,caring and supportive.He becomes Cheyanne's biggest cheerleader when she wants to follow her dreams and be seen as more than just a joke reality star.
No-one takes her seriously and she wants to be seen...Knox sees her and believes in her,she feels safe with Knox and can be herself.
Both Characters change throughout the book and it was lovely to see,their chemistry was electric and the spice was HOT !!
The fake slowly becomes real as the threat of her ex escalates.
Narration is wonderful by C.J Bloom and Alex Knox was such a delight to listen to..They were both perfect telling this story.
C.J Bloom is one of my favourites and I would honestly listen to anything she voices,I love how expressive she is.
Alex Knox is new to me and his voice is amazing deep and swoon worthy I enjoyed hearing him as Knox McNichols.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to them both.
Keep Me Close is a fabulous edition to this series and I am excited of what future books will be,I am really looking forward to Evelyn and Hugh.
I always enjoy Jennifer Sucevic's storytelling.
Loved it.
5 Stars.

[Rondi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m pretty open about the fact that I am a HUGE Jennifer Sucevic fan. The Chicago Raiders series is probably my favorite of hers, and Knox almost - ALMOST - beat Steele for my favorite.

But I love Steele Sanderson so much that beating him is basically an impossible task.

I loved Cheyenne’s story because this girl has been dealing with A LOT. She has a completely unhinged ex-boyfriend who truly does not understand the meaning of no, and then she has a mother who is a reality TV star and expects her to put on a happy face every time a camera is around.

Cheyenne isn’t even really allowed to pursue her own dreams, despite those dreams being a huge part of why she came to Chicago in the first place.

So the fact that the one person she feels like she can turn to is Knox? Even though she thinks he doesn’t really like her?

Girl.

Because let me tell you something:

That man is IN LOVE WITH HER.

When Cheyenne suggests they fake date because of her ex, Knox obviously thinks he can handle it. He’s been tamping down those feelings for years, so what could possibly go wrong?

Oh, I don’t know …

LIVING TOGETHER.

Spending all that time together. Learning each other’s habits. Discovering little secrets. Doing everyday things together. Getting even closer than they already were.

And when you already have that foundation of friendship and family history?

Yeah. Those feelings were never staying buried.

Also, the audiobook?!

Alex Knox & CJ Bloom.

TOP TIER.
TOP. FREAKING. TIER.

And the spice?

Absolutely fantastic.

But let’s talk about the REAL issue here:

EVELYN AND HUGH.

WE STILL DON’T HAVE THEIR FULL STORY.

I’m going to figure this damn thing out before the end of this series. I don’t know how, but I WILL.

Every single time I read a book in this series, it brings me right back to the very first Jennifer Sucevic book I read, Make Me Yours, and reminds me exactly why I fell in love with her writing in the first place.

Jennifer will always be one of my top authors because her stories make me feel something. And that’s not something every author can accomplish.

Keep Me Close can absolutely be read as a standalone, but the books are interconnected, and honestly? You should read the whole series.

This was such an enjoyable read, and I already need Book Six.

Jennifer, I’m waiting.

[Brianne C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennifer Sucevicdid it again! "Keep Me Close", the fifth installment of the Chicago Railers series might just be my absolute favorite yet If you love a hero who puts on an easygoing playboy front for the media but turns into a completely obsessed, fiercely protective softie behind closed doors, Knox McNichols is about to steal your heart. This releases August 27th.

​What It’s About:
Cheyenne Benson has spent her life trapped under the harsh lens of reality TV cameras, a stage-mom managing her every move, and a deranged ex-boyfriend who won’t accept that they’re over. Desperate for a safe exit, she flees to Chicago and lands on the doorstep of her sister’s brother-in-law—the one NHL player who has pushed her buttons (and secretly occupied her thoughts) for years. ​Her proposition? A fake dating arrangement to keep her ex at bay. Knox’s counter? Strict rules, location sharing, zero holding back, and terms so possessive it’s immediately obvious his feelings were never fake to begin with.

​Why You’ll Love It:
➡️​The Dynamic: Years of sharp barbs and sibling-in-law banter melt into genuine vulnerability. Knox doesn't just protect Cheyenne—he sees the real girl under the "Hollywood" label who just wants makeup-free runs, normal dates, and a quiet shot at her Broadway dreams.

➡️​Boy Obsessed Energy: Watching Knox realize he has the chance to keep Cheyenne safe and prove he’s the man she needs is top-tier romance perfection. The emotional payoff hits every single time.

➡️​The Railers Family: The WAGs camaraderie is unmatched, and the ongoing Evelyn & Hugh subplot will have you reaching for the tissues!

....and the bonus chapters?!? I have been WAITING for our next Heroine's story!

​When Knox says...
​“The thought of losing you… it rips me apart inside.” 🥺
.. how can you not melt?!

Tropes: Hockey Romance • Fake Dating • Siblings’ In-Laws • Secret Pining • He Falls First & Hard • Touch Her & 💀 • Reality Star x NHL Playboy

​Whether you're following the series in order or jumping in for a standalone hockey fix, add this to your TBR immediately! Tha k you Jennifer & Valentine PR for the ARC opportunity!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I came to Chicago to hide. What I didn’t expect was to feel like I belonged.”

I’m an absolute sucker for fake dating and a man quietly yearning for the woman he thinks he can’t have, and Keep Me Close delivers both in the most delicious way. I LOVED this book. Knox and Cheyenne weren’t at all what I expected—they were so much more—and I devoured both the ebook and the audio because I simply couldn’t pull myself away from this sizzling, heartfelt addition to the Chicago Railers series.

On the surface, Knox looks like your classic playboy hockey star, but behind all that swagger he’s been quietly, obsessively pining for Cheyenne Benson. He is gone for her. And when I say he turns into a golden retriever with a possessive streak and a filthy mouth, I mean it in the best, most swoon inducing way. His devotion is constant and beautifully tender. The way he hypes Cheyenne up, supports her, and reminds her of her worth made me melt. He’s the kind of hero who makes you grin and blush at the same time.

Cheyenne, meanwhile, is running from a stalker ex and dealing with a mother who refuses to hear her. She’s in the spotlight but struggles with self esteem, boundaries, and believing she deserves more. With Knox, she finally starts to see herself clearly—strong, capable, worthy—and finds the courage to go after what she wants. Watching her grow into her confidence was one of my favorite parts of the story.

The audio, narrated in duet by Alex Knox and CJ Bloom, was perfection. I love both of these narrators and love how they brought these characters to life. They allowed me to get lost in the story as they brought all of humor, heart, and heat to life in my ears.

And the chemistry? Absolutely explosive. The snarky, flirty banter between Knox and Cheyenne crackles, and the tension between them practically vibrates off the page. But beneath all that heat is so much heart—moments of vulnerability, sweetness, and genuine connection that make their relationship feel layered and real.

Keep Me Close is easily one of my favorites in the series… though I feel like I say that every time. And now? Bring on Jax and Sloane.

[Confessions of a Bookaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

To date, Knox has been one of the playboys of the team. On the surface he loves all the ladies but his heart truly only loves one woman...Cheyenne! Things are complicated because she is his brother's sister-in-law.

Cheyenne has spent a bunch of her life in the limelight of reality tv. She needs a break and also needing to get away from her ex who doesn't believe they are over. She escapes to Chicago with a plan to audition for Broadway and get out of the reality tv world. The fact that Knox McNichols is there and willing to step in and act as her boyfriend is an added bonus for her.

These two skate around their feelings in the cutest way, honestly. Their chemistry is so natural that it is hilarious they thought they could pretend to be in a relationship. They were both goners before the ruse ever began.

Knox is ever the protector of Cheyenne and only wants her to be happy. He is one of the only people who doesn't tell her what to do with her life but waits to see what her decisions are. He is ready to settle down and Cheyenne is the only woman he can see himself doing that with. He introduces her to his friends and she fits right in with their ladies. They are so perfect together.

Cheyenne needs someone in her corner who supports her and what she wants not what they think is best for her. She has never had that (other than her sister) and that made me love Knox even more. He knows her just as well as she knows herself. He supports her in every way possible.

As with all the other books in this series I have found myself unable to stop listening once I start the audio. Ms. Sucevic does a great job of balancing the sports and personal lives of her characters.

********AUDIO REVIEW********
C.J. Bloom and Alex Knox deliver greatness as Cheyenne and Knox in duet style. I am always a fan of C.J. Bloom but Alex is a new to me narrator and while at first I wasn't sure I absolutely ended up loving him by the end of the audio. Both do a fantastic job of different voices for the multiple characters they had to voice and I have to say the character of Hugh was probably my favorite of the voices Alex did.

[Perla Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

CJ Bloom is one of my favorite narrators, so I will instantly pick up anything she narrates. The sweetness, vulnerability, and confidence she brought to Cheyenne Benson were absolutely perfect!

Cheyenne is running from a stalker ex who clearly doesn’t understand the concept of a breakup. So where does she run? Straight to her older sister’s brother-in-law, Knox McNichols!

And let me just say, Alex Knox was PERFECT as Knox. His voice brought that instant possessiveness and protectiveness to life in exactly the way I imagined. I mean, hello...The rules speak for themselves, especially Rule #3, which is something all Chicago Railers players are known for: making sure their girl keeps her location on. 

Knox has been obsessed with Cheyenne since the moment he saw her at his parents’ house. And when he assumed she didn’t feel the same way, he was very, very wrong. Cheyenne had been feeling the exact same pull toward him. Their fake relationship quickly became the perfect excuse to finally explore everything they’d both been wanting.

I absolutely loved how effortlessly Knox brought Cheyenne into his life and showed her just how much she belonged there. The way they supported, encouraged, and genuinely showed up for one another was beautiful to listen to. Their relationship felt natural, and I loved seeing them realize just how perfectly they fit together.

And can we talk about the fact that their relationship was beginning in almost the exact same way Knox’s parents’ relationship did... I thought that comparison was absolutely adorable and such a fun little detail. 

Honestly, Evelyn and Hugh have me on the edge of my seat with every book in this series, and this one was no exception. Somehow, each installment manages to make me want the next hit of them immediately. I NEED MORE!

Thank you so much to Valentine PR and Jennifer Sucevic for another amazing ALC! This series truly just keeps getting better with every release, and I cannot wait to see what comes next. 

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Plot:
Jennifer Sucevic did it again! Keep Me Close is an amazing book. The story follows Cheyenne, a reality TV star who is trying to escape her toxic, stalking ex-boyfriend. Desperate to make him leave her alone, she comes up with a plan: fake date Knox McNichols, the gorgeous NHL playboy who also happens to be her brother-in-law's brother. They’ve spent years trading banter and pretending they can’t stand each other, but when they move in together, the lines get dangerously blurry.

The Characters: Knox McNichols: Holy green flags! Knox is the ultimate book boyfriend. He acts like a playful hockey star, but beneath that, he is intensely protective, obsessed, and has been secretly pining for Cheyenne for years. When he sets his "rules" for fake dating (like keeping her location on and no flirting with anyone else), it doesn’t feel toxic—it shows how deeply he cares about her safety. Plus, he plays the piano.

Cheyenne Benson: I loved her growth so much. She has spent her life under the public eye, dealing with a toxic mother who cares more about reality TV ratings than her daughter's dreams. Watching her break down her walls, stand up for herself, and chase her true dream of Broadway with Knox cheering her on was so beautiful

Favorite Quotes:

“I don't want you to go back to LA… I don't want you disappearing from my life again… The thought of losing you…it rips me apart inside.”

“I'm ready to stop pretending this is casual and to prove to you that I can be the man you need.”

“You realized this relationship is fake, right?" Yup. Then why are you acting like I need a bodyguard when I just need you to look pretty on my arm?" Luckily for you, Hollywood, I'm capable of doing both."

“I'll be the one who keeps you safe. Not your family or security. Me."

Final Thoughts:This book is the perfect blend of sweet, slow-burn tension, and possessive protector energy. The banter is top-tier, the chemistry is explosive, immediately! It’s funny, super spicy, and filled with so much heart.

[Allegra Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5⭐️ 1/5🌶️

This was such a welcome change from the usual relationship drama. No anger, no constant fighting, and—best of all—no third-act breakup. Chey and Knox’s relationship felt like something that was meant to happen; they just needed the right circumstances and time for it to develop into something more.

Knox was absolutely, ridiculously sweet and protective. His feelings for Chey seemed a little more developed than I would have expected considering how little time they had actually spent together, but there was never any question about how devoted he was to protecting and supporting her. I loved the playboy-to-committed-man transition, especially since Knox agreed to fake date Chey while secretly wanting it to become real. His unwavering support of her and everything she wanted to accomplish was one of my favourite parts of their relationship.

Cheyenne may have been running from a difficult situation, but choosing Knox for help was definitely the right choice. She had wanted him for years but believed he hated her, so the fake-dating arrangement to keep her ex at bay obviously didn’t go quite as planned. I loved seeing Chey find the courage to make changes in her life, with Knox giving her the reassurance and confidence to go after what she truly wanted.

The support Chey receives from the Railers ladies is exactly what we’ve come to expect from this group, and I loved it. The guys giving Knox a hard time about the situation was equally entertaining, but I especially appreciated how quickly they rallied around him once the truth was out. No hesitation, just complete support.

I do wish we had gotten some resolution with Chey and her mom, although the story didn’t necessarily need it to feel complete.

We also get a little more of Hugh and Evelyn’s story, along with some developments that have me even more curious about what’s coming next.

Overall, this was a sweet, low-drama romance with a couple I really enjoyed. Sometimes a relationship that just works is exactly what you need.

Tropes:
Fake Dating
Mutual Secret Pining
Hate to Love
Boy Obsessed
Possessive Hero
He Falls First

Thank you Jennifer and Valentine PR for an eARC in exchange of my honest review.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keep Me Close by Jennifer Sucevic is a swoony, boy-obsessed, enemies-to-lovers pro hockey romance and the fifth installment in the Chicago Railers series that proves this addictive world just keeps getting better. The story centers on Chey and Knox McNichols—an NHL playboy and notorious media favorite who share a mutual disdain for each other. Forced into proximity thanks to a marriage between their siblings, avoiding one another is simply not an option.

When Chey's ex refuses to take no for an answer, she shows up at Knox’s penthouse with a desperate proposal: pretend to be her boyfriend to convince her ex she has moved on. But Knox has his own strict set of rules—no flirting with anyone else, immediate notification if the ex contacts her, and tracking her location at all times. While those demands might send other people running, Chey soon discovers that Knox's reputation as hockey's favorite playboy hides a deeply possessive, fiercely protective man who has been secretly pining for her from page one. As fake dating blurs into reality, Chey finds her strength, follows her heart, and realizes that the man she spent years fighting with just might be the one she can't live without.

Filled with off-limits tension, fantastic one-liners, sizzling chemistry, and the welcome absence of a third-act breakup, the novel is an absolute score from start to finish. Alongside thrilling secondary character dynamics and explosive hints for upcoming books in the series, the entire reading experience is elevated by the phenomenal duet narration of CJ Bloom and Alex Knox, who bring every ounce of growly charm, emotion, and playful banter to life.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alex Sedrowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knox & Cheyenne were so freaking sweet! Knox our Railers playboy has secretly had a crush on his sister-in-law’s sister forever. She the redheaded reality star who he can’t get off his mind. Cheyenne shows up unexpectedly in his penthouse apartment after using his family’s emergency keycard to ask him a huge favor-be her fake boyfriend. Cheyenne ran away from L.A. to escape an ex who is becoming obsessed and unhinged as well as her mom-ager trying to force her into another season of their family reality show. Knox makes her agree to some ground rules (including always sharing her location) to their fake dating that she hopes will get her ex Dakota to move on, she does, and they endeavor to start their fake relationship. She leaves for her hotel only to come back from a run the next morning to Knox waiting in the lobby for her and a bouquet of roses with an unhinged note from her ex. Knox moves her into penthouse immediately. With the two of them sharing space and making it real for the cameras lines begin to blur, then when her ex shows up at Knox’s building and punches him, these two really dive deep into one another. We get some very hot spice alongside some very tender and sweet moments of Knox taking care of Cheyenne. He is all hot care-taker comfort with protective Doberman vibes for her. They get their HEA together but also Chey gets hers individually too all due to Knox believing in her before she could fully believe in herself. I loved their sweet dynamic and how supportive he was. I also am obsessed with Evelyn & Hugh and every single nugget we get about them. This book had some goodies & I cannot wait for more! I’m so excited for Sloane and Jax too, I can already tell he is of the same ilk as Knox so it’s gonna be good!

[Fernanda Dzib · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

I’ve been waiting for this book since the moment I finished Kai and Laiken’s book, and I loved it! I loved every second of this book and I already want to read it again, oh god, Knox is one of the most perfect men I’ve ever read 😩❤️ he was yearning for Cheyenne for years, YEARS!!! And when she asked for his help, I mean yeah he hesitated, but then when she told him she would ask someone else to be her fake boyfriend, he knew that was his chance to gain her heart, even when he didn’t wanted to acknowledge that 🙊 and the second he made his mind, there was nothing in his way to make her happy and to love her and most important to keep her safe🙊

Because yeah, there was an ex involved and oh god, that was so unhinged 👀 and I was glad that Knox was there to keep her safe 🙈

And Cheyenne, my girl I loved her, I hurt for her every time she remembered her childhood and how much it means to her to have true friends and true love and support, it was so beautiful to read her making friends with all the girls and to realized how worthy she is, how lovable and talented and amazing, and how brave! I mean, she wanted to be exposed 24/7 and she found her true passion and fought for that, and Knox was right there to love her and support her every step of the way ❤️

Now, as all the girls, I’m invested in Hugh and Evelyn’s banter; and I NEED THEIR BOOK!!! I need it pretty please 😩🛐 and with all the things I learned about them in those little glimpses now I’m more intrigued and I need answers!! 😩❤️

And also, I can’t wait to read Sloane and Jax’s book🙂‍↕️✨ I also need that book pretty please ❤️

[Alex Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Valentine PR and Jennifer Sucevic for providing me with an ARC of Keep Me Close (Chicago Railers Hockey #5) in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 5/5
Spice: 2.5/5

Wow! Jennifer Sucevic really nailed this with another BANGER in her hockey romance universe. This story follows hockey player Knox McNichols and reality star Cheyenne Benson, who also happens to be his sister-in-law. (Knox’s brother and Cheyenne’s sister are married.)

Cheyenne, who historically may not have gotten along the best with Knox, has no choice but to ask him for help as she needs someone to play her decoy boyfriend as an escape from her crazy ex-boyfriend. They engage in this delicious fake-dating situation with undeniable chemistry between these two. They have to fool everyone around them, and slowly the line between fake and real starts blurring. I have to say, Knox is probably one of the SWEETEST and NON-TOXIC mmcs of all time! He treats Cheyenne with the utmost care, and it is apparent in the way he is attentive to her needs, encourages her to pursue her dreams, and is just the perfect amount of possessive over her. Cheyenne is also a beautiful fmc inside and out. The author does a great job demonstrating her character growth, and I love how she retains her strong character throughout the whole book.

One of the best parts of Jennifer’s books is the opportunity to see some of our favorite familiar couples AND get a teaser into new ones! (Personally, I CANNOT wait for Jax and Sloane!!!!)

Again, thank you so much to Valentine PR for providing me with this ARC! Cannot recommend this book enough to anyone looking for a sweet, hockey romance with undeniable chemistry between the two mcs! I will definitely be tuning into the rest of the series!

[Jen Wycech · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fake dating
Hate to love
Reality star heroine
Obsessed and protective hero
Heroine in danger
Forced proximity
Off limits
Secret pining
He falls first and harder
Dual POV - 1st person

Duet narration - CJ Bloom & Alex Knox
Absolute perfection. CJ Bloom is such an amazing narrator, I love her voice and ability to put true emotions into her performance. Alex Knox is wonderful narrator. He also has an amazing ability to make you feel the emotions in his performance.

Book #5 Chicago Railers Hockey series

Reality TV star Cheyenne is looking for help and maybe something different from the life she knows. Asking a man she thinks doesn't really like her to be her fake boyfriend to get her ex to take the hint is a hard ask but fastly becomes exactly what and who she needs. Knox is struggling to get a woman out of his head that he thinks is off limits, who low and behold happens to be the woman asking him to help her by fake dating her, Cheyanne.

Another fantastic Hockey romance written by the talented author Jennifer Sucevic. The story is entertaining, heartwarming, sweet, and spicy. I really enjoy that there is almost a secret romance happening within each book you get a little more of Hue and Evelyn's story. Such a fun twist on a series.

Overall, this is a great addition to the Chicago Railers series and I am looking forward to more in this series and from Jennifer in general. A wonderful author to enjoy her work.

Thank you ValentinePR & Jennifer Sucevic for this ALC.

[Darcy Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

Cheyenne Benson & Knox McNichols

This is a standalone as part of a series. For me, it’s a true standalone, which is fantastic because it’s #5 in the series and I hadn’t read the first four.

I loved Knox and Cheyenne’s chemistry! So many swoony, butterfly moments. A couple of my favorite lines from the story:

Knox: “I’m ready to stop pretending this is casual and to prove to you that I can be the man you need.” 😍🔥
Knox: “I don’t want you to go back to LA … I don’t want you disappearing from my life again … The thought of losing you…it rips me apart inside.” 😭

I love that second one so much because so many times the characters are written to take the high road and not express how much they want the other to stay with them. This was real, honest, and beautiful.

Knox is a professional hockey player and Cheyenne is a reality star. Cheyenne’s sister is married to Knox’s brother. They had pined after each other for years without the other knowing. After fleeing from her ex, Dakota, and wanting to prove to him that she had moved on, Cheyenne proposes a deal to pretend she and Knox are dating.

She thought this would deter Dakota from trying to contact her but it only escalated his attempts to where he was even stalking her. Cheyenne has a very complicated relationship with her mother, because her mother is most concerned with the family’s reality show, filming, press, etc. - but Cheyenne’s true dream is broadway.

Loved this story - highly recommend!!
🌶️🌶️

[Awilda Mercedes · Rating 5 out of 5]

okay hockey romance girlies THIS ONE 🏒🔥
book five in jennifer sucevic’s chicago railers series and KNOX AND CHEY absolutely delivered everything i live for in this series — the banter, the chemistry, the protectiveness, the EMOTION 😭
knox and chey have literally been in each other’s orbit forever (his brother + her sister = married with kids) and the way they BOTH played it cool whenever they were in the same room while secretly being wildly attracted to each other?? the acting-uninterested-but-not trope will never not get me 🙃
cheyenne has spent her whole life under reality TV cameras, a stage mom controlling her every move, and a deranged ex who refuses to take the hint that they’re OVER. so when she needs an escape she flees to chicago and ends up on the doorstep of her sister’s brother-in-law — the one NHL player who’s been pushing her buttons (and living rent free in her head) for years and what does she do?? MOVES IN WITH HIM and starts a fake relationship 😵‍💫 i was FERAL.
and the evelyn & hugh crumbs she leaves in every single book?? i am officially obsessed and i will continue to riot until we get their story. i need answers. i need it NOW.
🎧 narrated by CJ Bloom and Alex Knox — these two were incredible together, brought so much personality and chemistry to the audio, easily one of my favorite listens in the series

Things to know
Duet narration, dual pov, Enemies-to-Lovers, off-limits, he falls first and harder, forced proximity, former player, slow burn, persistent ex, no 3rd act break up, protective mmc, fake dating