Ring around the rink once more, love came back and changed the score.
I thought I knew heartbreak. I thought I knew what it meant to feel unimaginable loss. When Harper Richardson walked away just before I was drafted into the league, my world shattered. I wanted a future with her more than I wanted hockey. She was the one. I would have chosen her over everything.
But she didn’t give me that choice.
Ten years later, she’s standing in front of me like we’re strangers. Just a devoted mother to a boy in my youth hockey program. A ten-year-old boy who, come to think of it, looks an awful lot like…me.
Her confirmation hits me like a punch to the chest. Ten years gone. Ten years of missed firsts, of being a father I never knew I could be. If I had only known…
But I can’t rewrite the past. All I can do now is fight for our future. For the woman I love. For my son. For the family I didn’t know I was meant to have.
This is my second chance. My chance at a love I never wanted to let go of, and a chance at a family I will fight for every single day.
International Best Selling author, Susan Renee, wants to live in a world where paint doesn't smell, book boyfriends are real, and everything is covered in glitter. An indie romance author, Susan has written about everything from tacos to tow-trucks, loves writing romantic comedies but also enjoys creating an emotional angsty story from time to time. She lives in Ohio with her husband, kids, two dogs and a cat. Susan holds a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Music Education and a self-awarded Doctorate in Sass and Sarcasm. She enjoys laughing at memes, speaking in GIFs and spending an entire day jumping down the TikTok rabbit hole. When she's not writing or playing the role of Mom, her favorite activity is doing the Care Bear stare with her closest friends.
Twenty seven chapters of delicious story. Harrison Meers and Harper Richardson round out the Anaheim Stars series.
She comes back into his life after many years apart and brings a surprise with her that he has to process like there is no tomorrow
This book was super emotional but so powerful also!
I loved seeing the last man standing find his way with love 🥰🥰
And Harper? Loved her! So emotionally intelligent and smart and fun and sweet!
Also the triplets that Harper takes on as clients in this book are going to be so fun! College seniors getting ready for the draft of their respective sports and so much trouble lol
Susan Renee is the type of Author that I can read over and over again and never get bored with. I restarted the Anaheim Star series just to read book seven and I am so glad I did. Every book in this series plays on one another and keeps growing the Anaheim family. I was so excited to be able to read Harrison's story.
Susan kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time, I was anxiously waiting for what was going to happen next and when! I gasped, laughed and cried throughout this whole read. Susan just had a way with worlds that made me feel every emotion you possibly could. Susan really brought out the emotions with this book.
I loved Connor. He is the funniest and cutest little kid in all existence. The way he continues to roast his mom has me laughing so hard. I hope to see something from him in the future.
Harrison is goals. He is the perfect golden retriever boyfriend. Even when he has every right to be pissed and angry, he's not. He is still there for Harper and Connor and stepping up in any way he can. Harrison could have easily walked away but he stepped up and put his little family first.
Harper is a harder character. She kept a really big secret that she shouldn't have but with all the best intentions. You see her go through the guilt of holding that secret and learning that everything will turn out fine as long as they are together as a family.
My favorite quotes:
"" You deserve to be happy, Harrison," she whispers. "We all want that for you. And maybe... just maybe... this is the universe's way of giving you everything you've ever wanted.""
"I skate away from them, pretending to stretch out my legs near the boards but they follow like persistent mosquitoes. Mosquitoes I can't smack to death. Mosquitoes that never seem to fly into the electric bug zapper."
Ring around the rink once more, love came back and changed the score. I thought I knew heartbreak. I thought I knew what it meant to feel unimaginable loss. When Harper Richardson walked away just before I was drafted into the league, my world shattered. I wanted a future with her more than I wanted hockey. She was the one. I would have chosen her over everything. But she didn’t give me that choice. Ten years later, she’s standing in front of me like we’re strangers. Just a devoted mother to a boy in my youth hockey program. A ten-year-old boy who, come to think of it, looks an awful lot like…me. Her confirmation hits me like a punch to the chest. Ten years gone. Ten years of missed firsts, of being a father I never knew I could be. If I had only known… But I can’t rewrite the past. All I can do now is fight for our future. For the woman I love. For my son. For the family I didn’t know I was meant to have. This is my second chance. My chance at a love I never wanted to let go of, and a chance at a family I will fight for every single day.
Personal Thoughts 🤔: I was prepared to hate Harper as an FMC because of what she did to Harrison but she might be the most likeable and relatable woman I’ve ever read! Susan made it clear she regretted everything about how she handled the breakup with Harrison in college and would do everything differently if she could. Harrison’s process of dealing with the shock of having a 10 year old son was heartbreaking but so mature! These two are made for each other and Connor is one of my very favorite book kids I’ve ever read!
I have really enjoyed this series and was looking forward to this book. All the gang have found their other half and finally Harrison gets his chance. This book is all my favourite tropes - ice hockey, surprise child, lost first love and second chance. I don’t want to give spoilers but I loved the story that unfold for Harrison and Harper ( plus the adorable Connor). This story is fast paced and packed full of humour, romance, angst, emotion and warmth. I just loved it and read it in 2 days as I could not put it down. It wraps up all the characters in the boom and hoping there is a bonus story covering all the team - or a later novella ? The work story that involved the sports triplets - is that an Easter egg for a future series? Just guessing but I look forward to whatever followed. This had been a triumph of a series - all wonderful stories all tied by the found family of these hockey players and their ladies. This could be read standalone but I would recommend reading the series. Susan writes such great characters and I just live reading about them.
I received this book as an ARC - these are my honest views and given voluntarily
I absolutely LOVED this series!! ❤️ Seeing Harrison get a second chance at the love of his life was the perfect ending 🥹💘. The history between Harrison and Harper brings so many emotions to the table, and it felt raw, real, and deeply earned. I especially loved the open communication once everything came to light. No dragging things out, no beating around the bush, just honesty and heartfelt conversations 👏💬. It was incredibly refreshing.
Without giving any spoilers…Connors reaction at the end… wow 😭💔➡️❤️. That moment completely broke me down and then pulled me right back together. His reaction felt so genuine and exactly what I expected from him, which made it hit even harder. Talk about a roller coaster!
And while their part was small, can we talk about the Hayes triplets?? 😍🔥 Please tell me they’ll make an appearance in a future series because 🫠. I’m already invested!
I’m beyond excited to see where Susan takes us next 📚✨. This series was an emotional, satisfying ride from start to finish, and I couldn’t have asked for a better conclusion.
*Thank you Susan Renee for the free copy, I have chosen to leave an honest review.
Wow .. what if it’s too late is an amazing ending to the Anaheim series. Harrison & Harper’s second chance love story is one that you won’t be able to put down. It will have you feeling all the emotions right along with them. Even with the hurt & lost time between Harrison & Harper they never stopped loving each other. It just shows no matter the amount of time apart soulmates will always find their way back to each other. Susan Renee is a remarkable author who doesn’t just write a book she makes her readers feel like your actually one of Harrison & Harper’s friends & your watching them let go of the past & move forward together. I loved seeing Connor & Harrison relationship develop over the course of the book from being Connor’s idolized hockey hero to a coach/mentor to being his dad. I highly recommend this book and all the other Anaheim books in the series. I have loved seeing all the boys find their leading lady but I am so sad to see this series ending but so looking forward to seeing what is gonna come next from Susan Renee.. I hope it involves the Hayes Boys 😀😀
Harrison and Harper’s story was absolutely captivating and took me on a full emotional journey. This is truly a second-chance romance done right…no unnecessary third-act breakup in sight. Their shared history felt raw and authentic, and I loved that nothing was dragged out or danced around. That level of honesty was incredibly refreshing. Susan writes with such passion and enthusiasm that it makes me want to immediately pick up more of her work. Without revealing more than what the blurb gives us, this story beautifully explores growth and acceptance. I’ll admit, I was fully prepared to hate Harper because all I wanted was for Harrison to finally find the happiness and peace he deserves. But Susan’s writing completely changed that…she made me understand Harper’s choices and feel the weight of her guilt. Ugh, the talent 😂 And Connor? Hands down my favorite character in the entire series. That ten-year-old roasted his mother nonstop, and I couldn’t stop laughing!
Wow. So that was a heavy read but in the best possible way. The emotions were literally dripping off the pages. The pull between the two MCs was paramount to their story. First loves, secrets and second chances. Beautifully written much like all of Susan’s work. The drama is never too deep, the angst only ever a little bubbly but not too much. The perfect balance to make the stories pop. Susan became a fast favourite of mine when I stumbled across her Chicago Red Tails series last summer and I’ve never looked back. Read the entire series in a weekend and then cracked in with the Anaheim Stars. The characters from all of these interlinked stories are wonderful and the writing pulls you in, I can picture these being a Netflix series! Harper was actually really sweet and Harrison, our final player to find his forever, in the form of his first.
I am writing this review after receiving an Advanced copy from Susan and I am leaving an honest review.
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC. This review reflects my honest opinion. I absolutely loved What If It’s Too Late by Susan Renee, and honestly, this entire Anaheim Stars Hockey series has been a standout for me. Susan Renee delivers another great hockey romance, strong chemistry, emotional depth, characters that feel real and easy to root for, and of course, some great spice. I especially enjoyed how seamlessly this book fits into the series while still standing strong on its own. I love the dynamic of this team being a big family with the players and the WAGS. Each book adds something special, and What If It’s Too Late is no exception. If you’re a fan of hockey romance, interconnected series, and emotionally satisfying love stories, I can’t recommend this author, this book, or the series enough.
Harrison has been in love with Harper ever since she walked away from him 10 years ago. Harper gets the chance to move to California for business and jumps at the opportunity for a new life for her and her son. Her son that is also Harrison’s son that he doesn’t know exists. What will Harper do once Harrison knows?
Harrison has been alone for 10 years because his only love left and he couldn’t move on. When she popped up in his life again I knew he would never be the same. How sweet is it that Harrison started “Skates & Blades”. I can’t believe that meet & greet with the kids. The dinner they had together was hysterical but cute at the same time. I can’t believe Harper didn’t tell Harrison about his son. The way Harrison felt broke my heart. I couldn’t stop crying. It hurt so bad. The ending was very good.
Absolutely loved this book! Second chance, surprised kid are my favorites. Running into your first love after 10 years. Harrison, getting close to a 10year old boy Connor, during his skating clinic, see how advanced he is and reminding him of himself at that age. Then seeing a ghost from the past, the love of his life who broke his heart, seeing her with her son and then starting to see similarities and putting two and two together. Getting the confirmation he needs, they talk, Harrison is hurt, upset and angry. But feeling that strong bond still they start to heal! Telling Connor was hard. I cried during that but it was so sweet. Connor was the cutest. Loved the chemistry between Harrison and Harper. And I always love the Red Wings being brought back and the closeness of the teams. Amazing-! Loved everything about his. Didn’t want it to end and I definitely highly recommend!!!
I’m so glad I had the pleasure of being one of the first people to read this book. I won’t spoil it too much obviously but Harrison’s and Harper’s story is amazing and captivating. No third act breakup or any cheating which I LOVED, just pure emotional connection and two souls finding each other after years apart. I laughed, I cried and devoured the book in 1 day! I super recommend this story to anyone who wants to read a cute adult romance with the occasional spice obviously! This was my first book of Susan’s and I plan on going back and reading the other guys and girls book in this series! Thank you Susan for the opportunity xx
I was excited to finally read Harrison’s happily ever after, though I began the story with a bit of apprehension, anticipating the challenges Connor and Harrison would inevitably face. The buildup of their relationship was beautifully written—truly the kind of love story dreams are made of. Watching their connection grow felt rewarding and heartfelt every step of the way.
I especially loved the ending of the Anaheim Stars, and I’m sad to see it end.
I can’t wait to meet future characters and see where Susan takes us next. I feel a trip to Portland in my future… ARC honestly reviewed
Book 7 in the Anaheim Stars Series & what a book to finish with!!! I was hooked from the first chapter & devoured the book!! This book had me tearing up in certain parts & laughing out loud the next 🥹 …..& of course we had the usual banter between all of the characters from the previous books….that is a must 🤣🤣 Loved this book so much & I think it’s one of the favs in this series ❤️
Cannot wait for the Hayes triplets!!!! 😂
I was so excited to receive this ARC, & to be a part of the team, thank you 🫶🏼 I have loved this series so much but the journey started with Off Your Game for me 🥰
Being the last man to get his book I was very excited to read this. Story after thinking he spotted a person from his past then meeting her son and her.
This story was great the way they handled this Wes perfect if you love accidental pregnancy found Later when the kid is older. this book is perfect for you and you can read it as a standalone.. or read all of the stars stories there great this book was more serious then I am used to from Susan not as much comedy with that being said it was a wonderful read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I haven’t read any other books from this series. Received an advanced reader copy of this book and it was the first official book I have read for 2026 and from Susan Renee. That being said. Her character hooks make you crave more time in their world. I was devouring their relationship, history and present time interactions. Connor the child in the book reminds me of my sarcastic 4yr old. I will be getting into the full series but I hope HOPE that Connor, Harper and Harrison return for a PT2 about them and the ongoing changes.
PS cliffhanger ending alert!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was such a wonderful story that started with heartbreak and ended with a HEA. Harrison's heartbreak tore me apart, watching him find out about his son and all he missed out on was heart wrenching. He was such a golden retriever and amazingly understanding. Harper is lucky to have such a wonderful love. Connor's reaction was crushing but written so well and the ending was a beautiful HEA wrap up. I love this series and the Anaheim Stars family.
Laugh. Cry. Steam. This book has it all. Some heartbreak, some second chances, and definitely some steam. I personally had to give Harper (FMC) a lot of grace throughout the story, but she proved her love continuously. This was a second chance romance at its finest. It doesn't hurt that Harrison (MMC) was so darn swoon worthy.
Susan Renee did it again! Favorite troupe immediately- give me all the hockey! Add in a surprise child and second chance romance and I was hooked. Harrison is the guy who got away and never stopped loving her. Harper is the one who tried to do the right thing (or so she thought) and never stopped loving him.
I hate to see this series end but can’t wait to see what is coming!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Ok.. I absolutely loved this book. I was so sad that this series was ending, and I wouldn’t get to see these characters anymore, but this final book.. it was perfect. Secret child, second chance romance.. oh it was so good.
This book.. it will hit you in the feels, it will make you laugh.. with the perfect amount of spice.
Swoon.. Harper and Harrison are so cute. They have some tough times, but between their love, the team and the WAGS, they have so much going for them. I have loved every single story with the Anaheim Stars- makes me wish they were a real time so I could watch them play!
It was ok for me. Harrison was a really great guy and took everything in stride. Connor’s as n amazing kid. But I felt like the emotions in the story were quickly overcome despite being really big. Everything seams quickly forgiven. The story was really good in itself.
I just love, love this one. Susan has done it again! Written a book that made me giggle, cry and fall in love with another hockey player. It's never too late to fall again for the love of your life.