Match Penalty

Seattle Serpents #6

by Teagan Hunter

I have two goals this season:
1. Win the Cup with the Seattle Serpents.
2. Get my wife back.

I’ve always been the kind of guy who sticks to my vows. So when my wife asked for space, I let her walk away, hoping what we had built would be strong enough to withstand it.

When she shows up three years later in Seattle, smack dab in the middle of the best season the franchise has ever had, I’m torn between trying to figure out my marriage and not letting my teammates down.

I’ve never been one to shy away from a fight, and I refuse to start now. This time, though, it’s more than just a game on the line—it’s my marriage, and I refuse to call it quits.

MATCH PENALTY is a standalone hockey romance novel. It includes a marriage in trouble (angst), second chances, first loves, discovering yourself, a very grumpy hero falling first, plenty of “my wife” moments, found family vibes, absurd group chats with teammates, and a happy ending. There is no cheating in this book.

Genres: Sports Romance, Second Chance, Hockey Romance, Hockey, Romance, Found Family, Second Chance Romance

484 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 23, 2026

About the author

TEAGAN HUNTER writes steamy romantic comedies with lots of sarcasm and a side of heart. She loves pizza, hockey, and romance novels, though not in that order. When not writing, you can find her watching entirely too many hours of Supernatural, One Tree Hill, or New Girl. She’s mildly obsessed with Halloween and prefers cooler weather. She married her high school sweetheart, and they currently live in the PNW.

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Reviews

[Letras Lidas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Keller, but I just can't forgive Chloe.

[Allegra Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5⭐️ 2/5🌶️

I might get some heat for this, but I loved Keller just as much as I disliked Chloe.

Despite being grumpy—and at times genuinely mean—Keller completely won me over. Understanding the root of his surliness added so much depth to his character. At his core, Keller loves Chloe. Full stop. From day one to the present, even through anger and hurt, his love for her never wavered. He held onto hope while she was gone, embraced her immediately when she returned, and never stopped reminding her how deeply he cared. That consistency made him incredibly compelling.

Chloe, on the other hand, frustrated me for most of the book. She often felt selfish and focused only on her own needs. She was cold to Keller at first, loved him through college, but then left when she became unhappy—without really giving him the chance he deserved. Communication could have changed everything, but instead, she ran. When she ran again without talking to him, I was genuinely angry. Her one true redeeming moment was finally being honest with him… even if it came three years too late.

One of my favorite aspects of the book was getting glimpses into their past and seeing how their relationship began. Watching Keller love Chloe so completely—and be utterly devastated by her leaving—was heartbreaking. Unfortunately, we get very little insight into Chloe’s time away, which made it harder to fully buy into her reasons for staying gone for so long.

I think I could have rated this higher if I hadn’t been so consistently frustrated by Chloe’s lack of communication and her inability to truly listen to what Keller was telling her.

Lawson was wildly over the top as usual, but the group chat moments were hilarious and added some much-needed levity. I also loved how the group showed up for Keller and how open he was to accepting that support.

I’m really sad to see this series end, but I’m hopeful that with the upcoming hockey series, we’ll get to spend a little more time with these characters.

Tropes:
Hockey Romance
Grumpy Hero
He Falls First
First Love
Marriage in Trouble (no cheating)
Second Chance

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

[Christy]

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

never thought I’d leave a 3 star review

Teagan Hunter is one of my favorite authors and I’ve loved the Serpents but oh boy is this book a miss. I’m giving three stars for the serpents chat and the love on that team. Keller is also wonderful but GD Chloe is the WORST. she has zero redeeming qualities and she just gets away Scot free with all her bad behavior and poor choices. That girl needed therapy from the first page, and she certainly never deserved Keller. She reads like the antagonist of her own story and I wanted someone better for Keller to be the official FMC.

I’m still excited for whatever Teagan Hunter brings next but this one is a hard no for me.

[Malessa Danner · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG Callum!!! He is down BAD for his wife literally from day one when they met the first day of freshman year at college. He will do anything at all for her even if it's unfair and means three years of zero communication, zero idea what's going on with their relationship, and just being in limbo. This man is LOYAL. Wow. Hands down top tier MMC!!!

This book could have been a perfect 5 stars if Chloe communicated with Callum!!! My goodness. It took until like 90% to get any answers as to why she left and she still kept things from him until then, like her interview and how she's feeling, etc. I just feel like she didn't try nearly half as much as Callum.

Safety:
h: 18 when they meet at the start of their freshman year in flashbacks. From her POV, we find out she was a V and Callum was her one and only.
H: 19 when they meet at the start of their freshman year. There are no details from his past, even in his flashback POV, but I am assuming he was not a V. Just vibes I felt.
-no one else for either of them since freshman year to present 13 years later

[clara · Rating 4 out of 5]

teagan wrapped serpents up with a banger.

i have to say, i don’t think i’d see the day where i’d get another emotional story from teagan, but this one definitely got a few tears from me. her standard humor is still very present with all the interactions between the players, their text exchange and of course lawson making keller crazy. the best of both worlds!

now: callum keller, the man that you are!!!! the necklace, the tattoos, the room… finally getting to see how down bad he’s for his wife after all these books of watching his grumpiness made it all ever sweeter.

their journey was very complex and kind of messy, but i ate it up!

i already miss these guys so much. and keller finally opening up to all of them by the end… oh their found family is AMAZING!

and the next series is already looking GOOOOOOD. i miss teagan in single parent territory and i feel like this next one is going to be everything i need.

ARC kindly provided by the author.

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggled with this one. Loved Keller, hated Chloe. She’s selfish, insecure and in desperate need of therapy. This couple does not communicate and that drives me crazy. The whole book is essentially them not talking to each other to avoid hard conversations.

[Paula (in & out) · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only thing I liked about this is that both MCs were celibate during separation - and the MMC who was a true Hero. The FMC? She can jump of a cliff for all I care with her selfishness, immaturity, coldness and so many other things.

She had a perfectly devoted husband who loved her to bits and threw it all away for what? I was never clear about it because she refused to talk and constantly jumped to conclusions.

Anyway, it didn't work for me but maybe others will feel differently. 2 stars for the MMC only.

[Cokiereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe the Single Serpents are over! I still remember when I first heard about the new series at the end of the Comets series.

This has been a fun group of guys who have all, each one, fallen in love. EXCEPT for the huge shock that Keller isn't going to be falling in love. Because he's been in love this whole time. Whew.

When we left Keller in book 5, we find out that he's married. Its a huge shock to the rest of the guys. They've been so close, but Callum Keller hasn't mentioned anything.

So when we meet Chloe we have no background knowledge of her. Which is great, this book sets up their romance in flashbacks which helps us see what a sweetheart Keller is and how protective hes become over himself.

Everyone is meeting Chloe and she's getting the WAG treatment (aka decent friendship) that she never got years earlier.

So why is Chloe and Keller separate? Is it something awful? Something big (I'm definitely not spoiling it!)? How can two people who've been living totally different lives come back together?

I just love a good second chance novel. Because sometimes we get to see two people fall in love, twice.

Is this the end of the Comets hockey world? Fear not! We definitely get a sweet, sweet set up!

[Angela (thecozybibliophile) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.5 stars —

what a perfect ending to the Seattle Serpents series! I have loved seeing each of the “Serpents Singles” get their HEA & Keller was absolutely the cherry on top.

Keller has always been a bit mysterious, so learning that he’s MARRIED at the end of Top Shelf (book five) had me SO eager to read his story. He & Chloe are each other’s first love, so there was an extra layer of complexity & emotion to their story that I loved.

as always, the group chat was hilarious & we got a good dose of all the other characters in the series. I loved how all the previous FMCs welcome Chloe with open arms & how much the MMCs were determined to show Keller that they would always be there for him.

Thank you Teagan Hunter & Valentine PR for the eARC & the PR package with a finished copy!

•• what to expect ••
🩶hockey romance
🏒second chance (marriage in trouble)
🩶he falls first
🏒first love
🩶a bit of angst
🌶️explicit content

[Nikenya Rodney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an emotionally exhilarating book. I experienced so many emotions reading Chloe and Keller’s love story. Im sort if at a lost for words on how to explain my feelings. I can clearly say that I absolutely love Callum Keller…every grumpy, sweet and devoted inch of him! The man is a total cinnamon roll and I’m so happy he got his happy ending because he deserved it.

Keller is known as the team grump but he is more complex than that. What his team mates don’t know is that he is a married man. He been separated from the love of his life for three years and he gets the shock of his life when she shows up in Seattle. Keller and Chloe are a couple who love each other deeply but somehow drifted apart. Now that they are back in each other’s orbit they have to overcome past hurts, and realize that their love is worth fighting for

This was one of the most real and emotional books that I’ve read this year. It dealt with young love, the obstacles young lovers faced, body image and self love. I loved that Keller was true to his vows. It’s very refreshing to read about a man respecting his woman even during trying times. I also loved how he loved his woman and did not mind throwing hands for her. I just loved this book. Thank you for the advanced copy.

**I received an advanced copy of this book for free and I am voluntarily leaving this review.**

[EllieGraceReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

So sad that this series is over but what a way to end it😭

Marriage in crisis is one of my favourite tropes and this book did the trope justice!

I really liked that they always hoped to find their way back to each other and were both willing to fight to keep it! There was no talk of divorce or having to convince each other to give a second chance!
It took time for them to finally lay all their cards on the table but it was so worth the wait!
I also liked the fact that once they worked it all out they started going to couples counselling!! The hard work kept going after the book finished!

I think we had the perfect amount of flashbacks, enough to give us context and keep us rooting for them but not too many so that we had enough content of them in the present!

I absolutely adore this group or guys, I’m going to miss their friendship and texts in the group chat so much!
Especially my angel Lucas Lawson🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

Will never get over Smith being their coach, makes me so happy

I’ve loved this series so much and ready to going back to Auden and Hutch and start again!

Thank you Teagan for the ARC!🫶🏻

[Lisa Mandina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free from Valentine PR in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.I really do enjoy Teagan Hunter’s hockey book and this was another good one! Keller had always been the fun grump in all the group chats, the Serpents Singles Club, lol. But in this book we find out just why he is so grumpy, and why he is single. Although really, he’s not. He’s married, and his wife left to go to London for an internship type of thing, but then never came back, for years.

The flashbacks to how they got together were all so sweet and made me love Keller even more. I definitely understood Chloe’s doubts, but at times it frustrated me. I didn’t like her parents either, in how they had a part in her leaving him. But then I didn’t really like that she didn’t come back to him sooner. While I did like her character, that just didn’t quite sit right with me. Even understanding all her reasons for why she left in the first place.

Together the two of them were good, and I was happy to see her move in and start being there with him and giving him a chance to be with her again. I couldn’t quite understand her reasoning for not telling him about the job offer though, I mean it was explained, but it didn’t make any sense to me. Poor Keller’s panic attack just about broke my heart at that point. Even seeing him go through that, or seeing his reaction, the way she handled it still seemed unfair.

Now Chloe’s mom had a little bit of a redemption for me with the story she told Chloe, even if I was still mad for how all of it was handled that led up to all of this. And I get that Chloe needed to hear that, even if still I was irritated with her.

All the other characters we know from the past books in the series were here and I loved all of them, and of course how they made Chloe feel part of the group right away. And Lawson, such a goof, but so much fun as always. It definitely left us with a set up for another hockey team so I’m guessing we’re going to get another series maybe? If you enjoy hockey romances with angst and some steam, this is the book for you!This review was originally posted on Lisa Loves Literature

[Anca A · Rating 5 out of 5]

#Review: *Match Penalty* - Teagan Hunter - ARC [18+]
4.6/5✨
3.5/5🌶️

Callum Keller and Chloe had a beautiful relationship when they were young. But their lives became more complicated after Callum was accepted to join the pro hockey world. In the present days no one knew that Callum was married, because he and Chloe were taking a break from their relationship and when she appears from nowhere, three years later, everyone was in complete shock. That's why Callum was now in the situation of figuring out how to handle his troubled marriage and how to keep on being the best hockey player for his team. Will their relationship work out this time around or everything was wrecked by the decisions they made in the past?

Chloe's appearance was a huge surprise for me and I really, really liked that pent up tension between her and Callum. All those years apart enhanced those feelings between them and it was nice to see how they were trying to get used to being in each others presence again. The change in Callum's demeanor was so obvious, loving how he instantly became a cinnamon roll after he saw Chloe. I truly adooored that constantly bickering between all the members of the hockey team. It was hilarious to follow them, more precisely my all those text messages they often exchanged🤣. I felt a bit annoyed by some things Chloe has done, not really understanding why she was doing some of them, but I guess that each thing had its purpose.

I truly loved this book, having a great time with the Seattle Serpents hockey team! I really enjoyed unraveling Callum and Chloe's tangled story, having some questions about their relationship from the beginning and wanting to know what happened there to get them into the situation they found themselves in.

Thank you sooo much Valentine Pr and Teagan for accepting me and for offering me this awesome e-ARC!🤗

✨Tropes
▫️Second Chance Romance
▫️Reunited Lovers
▫️Marriage In Trouble
▫️He Falls First
▫️First Love
▫️Found Family
▫️Angst
▫️Steam
▫️Sports Romance
▫️Hockey Player

[Brooklyn Moon Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most relatable book in the series ✨

“When we get married, we’re going to have the same initials. Clover Keller, Callum Keller. Has a nice little ring to it, huh?”

For me, this is the muddy relatable book in the series. It was a story that you could feel. The glimpses of their past made the present so much more heartfelt. There's an ache when you love like this and crave that person. Yes, it can be unhealthy but when you experience it, it's unexplainable. These two Keller and Chloe, are relatable because at some point we experience what it feels like to want to be there for someone who doesn't even know what they want. For me, I see myself on Chloe. I know what it feels like to be uncomfortable in your own body and not feel like enough. I know what it's like to look into that eyes of your husband that does everything for you but know it's such a personal issue and no matter what they do it won't work because we haven't learned that we are in fact, enough.

This book shows us to lean into the good people in our lives. Our found family, friends and actual family when we can. Lawson has been my favorite character and this book really showed his personality. It was hilarious and also emotional. I grew up in Washington and feel connected to this story in so many ways so it's naturally my favorite!!! I'm going to miss this crew! This beautifully eclectic group that loves with their whole hearts. Can't wait to see how Talia does in her book.

"All I feel is…well, truthfully, want. It’s all I ever feel when it comes to her. From the second I saw her walking across campus, I wanted her. I didn’t know her name, but I wanted to. There was something special about her even then that I couldn’t deny."

✨✨✨

“You’re a good guy, too, Keller. One of the best, even if you pretend you’re not. Whatever is going on with your wife, you’ll get it sorted. Love is messy. It’s never perfect. And sometimes it takes giving up on it for us to find it again.”

✨✨✨

“Okay, that is so weird.” I look over at Auden, who is watching me instead of her fiancé. “Sorry, it’s just…I’ve heard Keller deny love and all things feelings for years now. But that right there? That was love, like soulmates type of shit, and there is no denying that.”

[Becca Dirkson · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review

Keller is perfection. We have been waiting on his story this entire series and I love him just as much as I thought I would…but differently than I thought. Keller isn’t a grump - he’s just really freaking sad. His sadness was so sad that it made me…well I will quote Keller, “I’m just really, really f*cking sad.” That’s how I felt through this entire story.
Chloe/Clover. We have all been a Chloe at some point in our lives. I have. I left my husband (then boyfriend) and came back. I needed to figure out who I was outside of the Navy and being attached to someone. I needed to better myself. Chloe already made me upset for leaving Keller, but I understood it (for the most part). I DID NOT however, understand how she didn’t have any growth. I think if the last 80% of the book did not happen, I would have been fine - but after that there was no redeeming her for me. She did the same thing, maybe different intentions, but the same thing. Communication is KEY!
I think that Keller could have made her fight harder for him. I was tired of everyone telling Keller to fight, when in all reality, all he did was everything. He waited, he loved her, he supported her…he did fight the fight.
Things I loved - Keller (duh), the team and all of their shenanigans. I love this trope, and I hope that Teagan does it again. Marriages are sometimes nasty, they are not always sunshine and rainbows and that is what makes them great stories (if you make it). Fighting for someone you love is one of the hardest things to do in life. I hope that CK and CK make it through, and I hope that she does change in the long run because that man loves her!
If you feel like being sad, pick it up! Teagan has never written such a heartbreaking MMC and I liked seeing that side of Keller. I’m ready for the next team y’all!

[Ashly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is peak hockey romance chaos in the best way...banter, flirting, tension, and a man who absolutely folds the second he realizes he’s in love.

The MMC? Exactly what you want. Confident, a little cocky, but not in an annoying way, more like he knows what he wants and then immediately becomes down bad about it. The switch from “I’m chill” to “actually I would die for her” happens fast, and honestly, that’s part of the fun.

The FMC is where a lot of the personality comes in. She’s not just there to react...she gives it right back. The banter is strong, the energy is chaotic, and she doesn’t make it easy for him, which keeps things entertaining instead of predictable.

Here for the tropes:

Everyone is in each other’s business
Side characters are chaotic but lovable
.....and the group chat energy is very real

You’re basically just watching people flirt, spiral, and catch feelings in increasingly obvious ways.

Is the plot deep? Not really.
Do things resolve a little too easily? Yeah.
Did I care? Also no.

This is one of those books you read for vibes, banter, and “he fell first and harder” energy.

It’s fun, fast, and doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is exactly why it works.

If you like:

hockey romance but make it chaotic
strong banter + group dynamic
MMCs who fold immediately

....This book is for you

[Krisztina Imbre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Teagan and Valentine PR for an ARC in exchange of my honest review.

Tropes:
Hockey Romance
Grumpy Hero
He Falls First
Marriage in Trouble
Second Chance

“Sitting across from you and not being able to kiss you is the second most difficult thing I’ve ever had to endure in my life, Clover.”

This was my first book by the author and the first Marriage in Trouble trope that I really loved. Also, hockey romance is one of my favorite genre.

Kallum and Cloe's love story is told in present and past with flashbacks and focused on how they became a couple and their whirlwind romance up into the point of their separation. The college aspect was also really fun to read.
I was really sad and frustrated of their reason for a separation (Chloe's parents are something bad). But the book being second chance really made a difference and was beautifully written. I just wish Chloe would have had a better communication with Kallum.
The hockey club was something, their group chat was hilarious and the boys were really there for Kallum even if he didn't wanted them to be. But as he started to trust them enough to tell them everything, Kallum grew in my eyes.
All in all, it was a really greate read. I will most probably read the whole series.

[Rose Joie ☀️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The end of another hockey era!!! The Carolina Comets will always have a special place in my heart, but the Seattle Serpents are right up there with them.

It’s been so fun following every character in this series, watching them face their issues and find the kind of happy endings they really had to work for.

Callum and Chloe’s story honestly came out of left field for me. I never expected that our favorite grump had been married before, or that he had loved his wife that deeply. Out of all the books, this one felt the most emotionally heavy, and it really hit hard. I cried through a few chapters.

What I appreciated most is how real it felt. Even if you’re not married, the struggles they went through are so easy to understand, that feeling of slowly losing someone, of distance creeping in and taking up space in the relationship, and neither person really knowing how to talk about it. There was a rawness to how both Callum and Chloe dealt with everything, and it was heart-wrenching in the best way.

And of course, the group chats are still the best! Here’s to the Seattle Serpents not-so-single anymore club!!!

Oh, and I can’t wait for the next series! We’re moving from Seattle to Tennessee!!!

[KGB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Callum Keller deserves the world.

There’s few times I’ve read a book and felt like this… and honestly reading the thank you at the end made me pause because of the insight towards the fmc. But still this is fiction not real life.. Callum Keller deserved better. His “wife” if we can call her that was the most selfish fmc I’ve ever read, I kept rooting for her and for them but 60% in I just couldn’t forgive her. I needed Keller to get his lick back or to have had a spine and not let the wishy washy Mrs Keller do him that way..
But in terms of the hockey it was great way to end this series (in a sports way) I also am very interested in the spin off with Tennessees team. I will die on the hill that Callum Keller Deserved Better!!!! Romance - 3.5 bcus Callum is like the most perfect supportive book bf despite his “wife” being selfish. Hockey-5 cause my boyssss I love this team so much.

[liz_loves_reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a perfect way to say goodbye not only to the Seattle Serpents Singles (not a club!), but to wrap up this funny, oft poignant series.

Callum Keller and his Clover - Chloe - his wife! These two did not have an easy journey. This is a marriage in trouble and discovering that communication is the key, and that it's okay to rely on others helped shape a hopeful future.

As always, there was the 'Singles' and their ladies brightening up the space.

I shall miss them, but it's onwards to Tennesee...

[the_morning_edit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Match Penalty by Teagan Hunter was everything I didn’t know I was missing.

Sometimes the person is right but the timing isn’t. Or there’s still a little growing left to do.

I don’t read nearly enough of the “marriage in trouble” trope, and this one reminded me exactly why I should.

It’s packed with tension, brooding, and just the right amount of angst—in the best way. And yes, no cheating 🙌

[Nameera Shaikh · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to Keller’s book. This series has been decent so far and group chats are fun. But I just don’t understand the FMC. 31 year olds behave like that?
After being away for 3 years she shows up in Seattle and doesn’t even say anything to her husband, just disappears and appears into thin air. To give her grace in the first half of the book I understand she had communication problems she wanted something different in life and wanted to explore. But even after she comes back she still isn’t sure if she wants to still be with her husband when he has been proving and saying he loves her unconditionally and she has a stable job offer that she wants, seriously. She isn’t sure if she wants to be with the person she loves for more than a decade. She’s such a red flag she left her husband for 3 years without saying anything and then gets shocked when she sees a divorce lawyer’s contact details in his drawer that he contacted like 3 years ago. I mean seriously. Was hoping for this to be good

[Lisa Ann D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t love it. Struggled with the FMC- which is not something I normally do. I hate when people harp on the female character unjustly. And, I don’t want to sound like that. It was hard to see things from Chloe’ perspective and to connect with a 3 year separation with little to no contact.
I felt like the MMC deserved so much better. Very mixed feelings about this one. Will circle back later after digesting it more.

[Michelle H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starting this off with I love Teagan Hunter, but man I struggled with this book. I think I can sum it up with one word….meh…and it pains me to say that.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Rating: 4/5 stars
POV: Dual 1st person POV
Length: Novel
Relationship: MF

Primary Tropes/Features: Sports romance (Hockey), Marriage in Crisis, Second Chance, First Love, Angst & Yearning, He Falls First, Found Family, Grumpy hero, Only ever you

Secondary Tropes/Features: Secret tattoo(s), “My Wife”, Epistolary, Jealously

Micro Tropes: “Fuck it”, Obsessed with her freckles, Nicknames, Tattooed hero, Only she uses his first name,

Content warning: A content warning is included at the start of the book and can be found on the author’s website. This book includes: Bullying (about weight, on page), Fatphobia (on page), Broken & struggling Marriage (on page), Mentions of divorce, Pushy parents (on & off page), Anxiety (on page), Panic attacks (on & off page), Violence (on page)

The end of the Seattle Serpents series is here and we're finally given Keller's story, the most anticipated book of the series and with it Teagan has given us an emotionally taxing romance with a more than satisfying happy ending.

The characters:
Chloe was a new to us character and her arrival and connection to Callum, revealed in Top Shelf, was shocking to both his teammates and the readers. Through the flashbacks and recollections throughout the book we learnt that Chloe was someone who had been fairly isolated and lonely during her life never really finding somewhere she could fit in especially in Callum’s world. She was also someone who struggled to stand up for herself. The Chloe we got to know however was more confident, independent, and strong. She was both sure of who she was and not. There was an element of unhappiness, an unsureness and worry of “why do I feel like this?” when it came to Chloe and I don’t want to go into too much detail about it because it's something that I feel is better experienced then told about. Though I will say it was an element of her characterization that I really connected to on an emotional level. She became a character that I could see myself in and it really helped bring her to life and she became a character that jumped from the pages. It was an important element of her character arc and relationship with Callum which was interesting and I enjoyed seeing it unfold as I progressed through the book. I felt like there was something very real about her, especially when she said “I’ve accepted that I’m still learning every day, that it’s not a destination, but a journey.” but then getting to the end of the book and reading Teagan’s note brought clarity to what I was feeling and connecting to as I was reading and it made me love this book more.

Callum Keller has been relentless and brutal on the ice. As this series’ resident grump he has been the closed off hockey player who begrudgingly participated in the antics of the Serpents Single group chat. He’s been cold and sometimes cruel but from very early in his book we learn that we know so little about Keller and how much pain and heartache he is living with. He very quickly became a character who I was interested in and whose story I was invested in. Keller is a character where there is more to them than meets the eye and through various events of the book we got to learn about his self-assuredness, sweetness, caregiving, and capacity for love. These were all elements that endeared me to him and I enjoyed seeing how all the aspects of his personality worked together. Like Chloe, he had a habit of living in his own head and letting spiraling thoughts and worries take over which were locked away to deal with later or never. Having spent the last three years closing off all aspects of his heart for Keller it was particularly important to learn to accept that he was not okay and to speak about that and let others in, which was a difficult and rewarding journey for both him and the reader.

When it came to their past and the downfall of their relationship I appreciated that each character spent time analyzing the past and thinking over their part in what happened. They ruminated on the things they could have done better and it showed a maturity to who they were now and highlighted their character growth. Their growth as individuals was entwined so heavily with their relationship development that it would be difficult to not read this book and reflect on Teagan’s ability to evolve her characters through the course of her books.

The romance:
Chloe and Callum's romance was told in both the present and past timelines and their past was depicted through flashbacks and recollections and focused on how they became a couple and their whirlwind romance up into the point of their separation. It was a really fun element of this book because it had all the fun and sweet moments of a college jock/nerd romance. I enjoyed it for how it showed different aspects of their personalities and the rightfulness of their romance. I loved Keller’s charming and flirty ways in college and him pestering her in class because it was the only way Chloe would speak to him. The mix of his steadfastness and her hesitancy and the fun they had whilst being together was sweet and fun but my favorite thing about the past featuring in their book was the sense of nostalgia that mixed with the current day hurt and emotions that they felt. It worked so well because it brought in what I would consider to be Teagan’s signature rom-com style and mixed it seamlessly with the angsty slightly more edgier stories that she has been writing in these two most recent Hockey series of hers and it just shows her diversity as an author and how she delves into these more emotional story lines while still keeping those elements of her writing that make up her author signature.

Within the present day once the shock and initial hurt of their unexpected reunion moved on and Chloe and Callum attempted to be civil there was this trepidation that came through their interactions both in their own feelings and in how they acted around one another. They each had a hard time admitting it to themselves, let alone each other, but neither wanted to give up on their marriage; they just didn’t know where to go from where they were. They seamlessly fell into moments where everything felt like it used to and things went back to being easy between them but with both feeling like the other no longer wanted them they didn’t know how to reconcile those facts and it continuously built angst and yearning. The Kellers were nervous and it was cute to see them both flustered but as they got comfortable that nervousness was accompanied by a hope that brought a sweetness to their entire relationship. The hurt remained and came through in these sudden passionate moments whether it be argumentative or lustful that kept them and the readers on their toes for when these two would finally have the difficult conversations. I really enjoyed seeing Callum and Chloe learn who the other was now as they spent time together and see the teasing which made up so much of the early stages of their romance come back. Neither stopped loving the other during their separation but there was a feeling of him falling first again and I loved it. With the growing closeness the spicy scenes started and much like their beginning things were tender and unhurried until passion and the built up tension took over. The spicy scenes became something else about the story that I appreciated because Teagan isn't an author that throws spicy scenes into the plot for the sake of it. She's someone whose books have become increasingly spicy and explorative but the scenes are always timed well to fit into the emotional journey of the book and to add to the plot rather than just fill a gap and she executed it well here.

Of course second chances are never easy and despite things going well between them they both continued to avoid conversations and started to think the other had given up taking their romance back to being stilted and awkward. Though as their character growths peaked they finally had the difficult conversations and it was heartbreaking but luckily it was followed up by a well deserved and joyous ending for Chloe and Callum and the Seattle Serpents as a team. It gave not only their romance a happy ending but this series too through a closing chapter that filled you with warmth and content and built anticipation for the next series.

The secondary characters and side plots:
A book in this series would not be complete without the fun of the Seattle Singles group chat and the humour that comes from these teammates knowing each other so well. The immaturity, the teasing, and the unwavering loyalty was fantastic as always but like with most of these books Lawson’s antics in the group chat and off the ice stole the show and it is something I’m really going to miss. Though with this book it felt like Teagan gave us a closer look at the serious bond between the group. With the shock of Keller's marriage and the guys knowing something must have happened for him to not talk about it, that really he'd been grieving, they rallied around him even when he didn’t want it. Each book has had its own moment of the guys being there for one another but this one felt different, felt more, and it was a collection of heartwarming moments of brotherhood. It was also nice to enjoy once again the different humour and support that the female characters of this series bring and I enjoyed the humorous and slightly intrusive first meeting Chloe had with the WAGs and the friendship she built with them. Teagan has written the found family well throughout this entire series and it is something that continued here.

Outside of the Seattle Serpents crew Callum and Chloe each had a form of personal support that understood how they were feeling deeper than the Serpents and their partners could because they had seen it all from the beginning. Stefan (Callum’s brother) was a likeable character in his brief appearances and through him we saw another side to Callum though considering how heavily Stefan and Callum leaned on each other he is someone I would have liked to see more of. Talia (Chloe’s best friend) was your typical loud and slightly crazy best friend who not only was a great source of support but someone who would push Chloe. Her and her son, Ian, were likeable and interesting and I cannot wait for their reappearance in Teagan’s next series though I do wish we’d seen more of them here. There were also some other characters who featured but not as heavily. I liked Chloe’s Mum and Dad. They had a difficult relationship for most of the book but the heart to heart conversation was nice. Though with how supportive her Dad was of her I would have liked to see more of him but understand that her relationship with her Mum was the one impacting her and the one where closure was needed. I have loved any appearance from Coach Smith as he was one of my favorites in the Carolina Comets series (Sin Bin) and the brotherly advice moment between him and Callum was a quiet moment that stood out. There was also one other character, whose appearances here, whilst brief, give us the backstory to the start of Teagan’s next series and I look forward to learning more about him.

Honestly, I really enjoyed this book. In some ways it wasn’t what I was expecting for Keller but when Teagan gave us the teaser for it at the end of the previous book how could it not have been an unexpected second chance romance? Callum and Chloe were loveable and I got lost in their romance. No doubt they are now one of my top couples of this series and I really hope we see more of them in the future. For now I’m sad to be saying goodbye to the Serpents but I am looking forward to getting to know the Tennessee Twisters.

Favourite Quote(s):

“When we get married, we’re going to have the same initials. Clover Keller, Callum Keller. Has a nice little ring to it, huh?”

Even if all those years we had together were it, it was worth it.
Please don’t let them be it, though.

“Sitting across from you and not being able to kiss you is the second most difficult thing I’ve ever had to endure in my life, Clover.”

“You are it for me, Chloe. From the second you rolled your beautiful brown eyes because I called you that nickname you hate, you were mine.”

“I just wanted to know you were still out there and we were maybe still an option, to know even though we were miles apart, you were still mine.”

“Don’t you get that? You’re not broken. You’re just…” He sighs. “Fuck, Clover, you’re just mine.”

[Kay Daniels (Kay Daniels Romance) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect story for the wrap of the Seattle Serpents series and for the aloof, defenseman Callum Keller.❤️

When a book reaches happily ever after it isn’t the ending to a relationship, it's really just the beginning of forever. What happens after a couple falls in love and decides to live in romantic bliss - that is when the hard work actually begins.Match Penalty is a reminder of what a long term relationship looks like, even when...or more like, especially when two people love one another, but also the work, the pitfalls, and the daily dedication that it takes to make that relationship work once you commit to one another. Honestly, I loved it, while I also felt the immense heart break between these two since Match Penalty walks us through the past decade of Keller's life and slowly uncovers the youthful man who instantly fell in love with Chloe and the small steps that led to why he's been in the singles club living in Seattle without his wife.💔

Match Penalty isn't about anyone being right or wrong, and I'll state right now that there isn't cheating between either MC. Marriage is tough enough even when everything goes right. Big, gruff, Callum Keller is a total softie for his wife and only his wife. 😍 He fell in love with her back in college and that was it. Chloe was the one, even when she left him to pursue a job overseas. 😢 He has always been over the moon for her and only her. It's both heartbreaking and beautiful with how in love with her he is. When he's not focused on hockey, his mind is only on his wife. And watching her walk away was hard, but he also did what he thought was in her best interest, which he loves her enough to do because he never wanted to hold her back. He wanted to give his wife everything, but at the same time it also meant breaking his own heart. 💔

Chloe, or Clover as Keller calls her, left three years ago to pursue a job overseas. She is filled with doubts and lacks self confidence even though she's been married to Callum for a decade. Love didn’t instantly fix her or load her up with self-esteem. Sorry, it doesn’t work like that. Chloe needed something of her own, away from basically everything else. As much as it also broke her heart, she needed time away from the world that lives in the public eye, something that was for herself and as much as I wanted to dislike her for breaking Keller's heart, it was also understandable. Living your life for the other person, miserable with what you're doing and who is in your circle, even though you love your partner, can still tax your relationship in the long run. It's heartbreaking that these two had to go through everything, because they really do love one another, but at the end of the day, I did understand them. 💔

Match Penalty is angsty. Angsty in a different way than Teagan's other books because this couple should already make sense, I mean they are married with their HEA and all that. But the emotions just hit differently because they do love each other and want the best for one another. The logic just hits different when you already have a spouse to worry about. Life choices just hit different when they've already been together for so long. It's intense on different levels while still being lovely and beautiful on so many different reasons. Keller and Chloe are brilliant and lovely and I Ioved them!!

As for the team....Lawson is in rare form, especially since he loves to get under Keller's skin. 😂 It was great to get lots of time with all of the characters, especially since this is the final installment of the series. While I'm sad to see this series come to an end there is a new hockey team on the horizon and I'm super excited to begin another adventure. 😍

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love author Teagan Hunter’s books. Each and every one of them. Humor and heat, hockey team camaraderie and shenanigans, difficult decisions and people you desperately want to see find their way together. Match Penalty is one of those books and it’s terrific. True love and a storybook marriage that unfortunately took a turn into the not-so-happy side of Fairytale Lane.

Keller is the last man standing in the Serpents Singles Club, all the other members having found their true love and in committed relationships. He’s the grumpy one who doesn’t date and never talks about marriage. What they don’t know, however, is that Keller isn’t actually single either. The fact that he’s married with an absent wife no one has ever heard of, let alone met, probably accounts for some of that grumpiness. It’s been three years without her. Three long, sad years. Not much contact. No move towards divorce but no reconciliation either. He can’t go on like this and his goals for the year are short and to the point: win the Cup with the Seattle Serpents and get his wife back. They may be short and to the point, but while hard work, teamwork and a little luck might achieve the first one, that second goal looks pretty impossible right now.

Chloe Clover fell in love with Callum Keller during college and never fell out of it. Their love story is so sweet, so heartwarming you almost can’t believe anything could have gone wrong. But as Keller’s career rapidly advanced Chloe began to feel lost, that while she fully supported him she was losing some part of her own identify, afraid she couldn’t be the wife he needed, afraid to let him down, but afraid to speak up so maybe they could talk it out. Ashamed by what she considered her own failing and weakness, she went for a short educational opportunity overseas that got extended and extended until she finally said she wasn’t coming back, leaving Callum blindsided, shocked, confused and heartbroken.

Now Chloe is in Seattle, but before she can let him know she’s in town, he sees her in the bar where the team hangs out – with another man. Once again blindsided, but this time enraged, he confronts them, learning that this is a job interview. Doesn’t calm him down too much, but it does lead to them talking and spending time together. Turns out neither has “moved on” – there’s been no cheating, no other people involved and they still love each other, but they also still don’t how to express what they think, what they want, what they need. These two really need to learn how to share their feelings.

Author Hunter makes it supremely enjoyable to spend time with Chloe and Callum as they work to get back on that true-love-happy-ever-after-path, putting up obstacles for them to work through and ‘aha’ moments for them to finally realize what is really important and how that might all work. Through it all are the delightful group chats, the almost relentless teasing and matchmaking of the team members who see what Chloe and Keller are dragging their feet about. Throw in the tender, sweet moments, the funny parts, and the sexy bits and you’ve got one satisfying book.

I received an advance copy of Match Penalty. It was fun working my way through this series and this was the perfect way to wrap it up. I thoroughly enjoyed it, as I have all of this author’s books and recommend it without hesitation I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

[Amber Goulbourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven't read the Seattle Serpents series, I highly recommend it. I loved getting to know all the guys and the women they fell in love with. This is Keller's story, and it’s full of surprises and so many emotions!

It begins when the group decides to go out for New Year's Eve, and although Keller is reluctant to go for personal reasons, he eventually agrees to go. That night, Keller comes face-to-face with his wife, Chloe, for the first time in three years. New Year’s Eve, three years earlier, was the night Chloe made a decision that changed both her life and Keller’s forever.

I wanted to hate her for breaking his heart, but after reading about all the reasons and events that happened during the three years they were apart, I couldn't. I didn't like her reasons and the choices she made, but I ended up understanding them, even if I didn't agree with all of them.

Keller was a very private person when it came to his life outside of hockey. He never mentioned anything about having a wife, leading his friends to assume he was single and didn't believe in love. When they discover he is married, it comes as a shock to them, and they react the way they always do when someone in the group needs them, even if the person doesn't realize it.

The flashbacks help tell their story as college students who got married so young. It helped tell their story, even if it was sometimes sweet and sometimes heartbreaking. It made me begin to adore Keller. He's so much more than the grumpy guy who is an amazing hockey player.

Now that she’s in Seattle, Keller has so many questions. They need to really talk about their past and confront their feelings. Honesty about it all is the only way they can truly move forward. Chloe faces choices that could heal their marriage or end it. Keller has always loved her and always will, and Chloe has always loved him, too, even if it hasn't always seemed that way.

In the end, everything comes together, and it's worth the wait. The series wraps up in the best way! I loved it and even teared up.


My thoughts:
⇨ Percy the 3-legged cat is awesome
⇨ I really felt for Keller and everything he had to deal with all by himself, even though he kept his wife a secret from his friends.
⇨ Chloe and Keller each did some really touching things while they were apart, and when they finally got back together, their chemistry was off the charts. I loved all of it.
⇨ I loved how the girls (WAGs) embraced her.
⇨ I'm going to miss the group chats and all the couples in their friend group now that the series is wrapping up.

What to expect:
🏒 Hockey Romance
🏒 He Falls First
🏒 Marriage in Trouble
🏒 Second Chance
🏒 First and Only Love (it's always been you)
🏒 Angst
🏒 Secret tattoo(s)
🏒 Found Family
🏒 A 3-legged cat you can't help but love!
�� The best group chats as usual
🏒 The chemistry and steam!
🩷 "My wife"

Thank you to Teagan Hunter and Valentine PR for the opportunity to read the ARC.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's the last of the Serpents Singles Club... only to find out that the last single standing was never actually single!

Match Penalty is book 6 in the Seattle Serpents series by Teagan Hunter and it's all coming together why Keller has always had a bit of a chip on his shoulder when it comes to love. This book is the last of this interconnected series and since these guys are all up in each others love lives and business- it reads best when enjoyed in order. And really, you might just want to read them all for the Serpents Singles Club text thread because as always those moments had me cackling.

Callum Keller has been a grumpy mystery over this series and it was obvious that he was hiding some deep secrets but I was NOT expecting that he was hiding a WIFE!! And not like a "ooops we got drunk and married in Vegas" wife or a "this is just for show" wife- but a this is the love of my life, no one but you kind of wife.

Keller's absolute devotion to Chloe is honestly husband goals. That man was OBSESSED. Even when she demolished his heart, left him for YEARS- he never hated her. Sure he was a little skittish and weary when they reconnected but considering that it was on accident and out of the blue, I'd say that it was an understandable reaction.

Chloe on the other hand... ugh, I have some mixed feelings. It's not unrelatable that she found herself a little unsure about who she was as her own person outside of Keller- especially since they had been together since their freshman year of college and he was her first basically everything. She had lived her life trying to please her parents and being who she thought they wanted her to be or who she thought Keller wanted. BUT her communication was HORRIBLE. Keller was constantly telling her and showing her how in love he was, how proud he was to be hers- but she was just so unhappy with herself and her own self confidence that she bottled everything up and then instead of talking with him she ran.

It wasn't even that she needed time to learn to love herself or figure out who she was that bothered me- I think I was most upset over the way that she didn't even really intend to run into him and reconnect but that she did and then went on to feel hurt or insecure when he didn't instantaneously let her in or lower his walls after she essentially abandoned him and went no contact for 3 YEARS while also leaving them in this like marriage limbo. Because they were still married but also there was nothing to suggest that she was ever coming back to him beyond his hope that she would.

There is so much that is going on in this story that I adored, so even though I was struggling at times to reach into my kindle and shake Chloe, I still loved so much about this story. I loved seeing beyond the grump that was Keller's personality, I love the close knit family vibes that has been these 6 guys over the course of the series and how they are more than just teammates. And I loved getting the back and forth of present day and past Chloe and Keller's relationship and seeing just how perfect they were for each other back then and watching them work to recapture that perfection once again.

As sad as I am to leave this group of guys, I'm excited for what's to come with that little tease at the end! Because I don't know about you, but I'll never say no to more hockey rom-coms from Teagan!!