What do you think?
Rate this book
Northern Legacy #2
Top Shelf
I was born into hockey royalty, but I was never meant to inherit the throne.
At least, that’s what my family made sure I believed.
After years of running from the Winslow name, I’m dragged back into the world I fought to escape and forced into an internship with the Valehurst Kings.
It’s the last place I want to be. The Kings aren’t just brutal, untouchable hockey gods. They’re the only men who know what happened the night that ruined me.
Lucian is chaos with a wicked smile and blood on his knuckles. Ronan is control sharpened into a weapon. Silas is quiet intensity, all watchful eyes and secrets written in silence.
I should hate them. Fear them. Stay as far away from them as possible. But the closer they get, the harder it is to tell the difference between danger and protection.
They see the girl beneath the last name. The survivor beneath the scars. The future I was told I could never claim.
And when the truth finally starts to unravel, I have to decide if I’m brave enough to stop running.
From my past.
From them.
From the throne that was always supposed to be mine.
***Top Shelf is a dark, contemporary, hockey romance with they fall first, possessive, protective MMCs. The FMC ends up with more than one love interest. The series consists of interconnecting standalones that can be read in any order.
At least, that’s what my family made sure I believed.
After years of running from the Winslow name, I’m dragged back into the world I fought to escape and forced into an internship with the Valehurst Kings.
It’s the last place I want to be. The Kings aren’t just brutal, untouchable hockey gods. They’re the only men who know what happened the night that ruined me.
Lucian is chaos with a wicked smile and blood on his knuckles. Ronan is control sharpened into a weapon. Silas is quiet intensity, all watchful eyes and secrets written in silence.
I should hate them. Fear them. Stay as far away from them as possible. But the closer they get, the harder it is to tell the difference between danger and protection.
They see the girl beneath the last name. The survivor beneath the scars. The future I was told I could never claim.
And when the truth finally starts to unravel, I have to decide if I’m brave enough to stop running.
From my past.
From them.
From the throne that was always supposed to be mine.
***Top Shelf is a dark, contemporary, hockey romance with they fall first, possessive, protective MMCs. The FMC ends up with more than one love interest. The series consists of interconnecting standalones that can be read in any order.
494 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2026
About the author
R.A. Smyth
27 books1,581 followersMy name is Rachel. I live in the UK with my husband and two golden retrievers, and I am an author of dark, contemporary reverse harem romance.
If you love a story with a well thought out plot and good character development that will give you all the feels, then why not give one of my series a go?
Crescentwood - high school, stalker, bully, enemies to lovers
- Three Divisions: https://books2read.com/threedivisions
- Two Forces: https://books2read.com/twoforces
- One Family: https://books2read.com/onefamily
Pacific Prep - academy, assassin FMC, brothers best friends, taboo, bully
- Broken Trust: https://books2read.com/brokentrust
- Brutal Lies: https://books2read.com/Brutallies
- Beyond Vengeance: https://books2read.com/beyondvengeance
- Break Free: https://books2read.com/BreakfreePP4
- Blurred Lines (novella): https://books2read.com/Blurredlines
Black Creek - Gang/Mafia, enemies to lovers, MM, Forced marriage
- Rebels & Rejects: https://books2read.com/rebelsandrejects
- Murder & Mayhem: https://books2read.com/murderandmayhe...
- Damaged & Deadly: https://books2read.com/damagedanddeadly
- Chaos & Carnage: https://books2read.com/chaosandcarnage
Ruthless Boys of Ridgeway - Second chance romance, Friends-enemies-lovers, college, secret society, stalker, fake dating
- Pretty Spiteful: https://books2read.com/TRBoR1
- Pretty Vile: https://books2read.com/TRBoR2
- Pretty Lethal: https://books2read.com/TRBoR3
If you love a story with a well thought out plot and good character development that will give you all the feels, then why not give one of my series a go?
Crescentwood - high school, stalker, bully, enemies to lovers
- Three Divisions: https://books2read.com/threedivisions
- Two Forces: https://books2read.com/twoforces
- One Family: https://books2read.com/onefamily
Pacific Prep - academy, assassin FMC, brothers best friends, taboo, bully
- Broken Trust: https://books2read.com/brokentrust
- Brutal Lies: https://books2read.com/Brutallies
- Beyond Vengeance: https://books2read.com/beyondvengeance
- Break Free: https://books2read.com/BreakfreePP4
- Blurred Lines (novella): https://books2read.com/Blurredlines
Black Creek - Gang/Mafia, enemies to lovers, MM, Forced marriage
- Rebels & Rejects: https://books2read.com/rebelsandrejects
- Murder & Mayhem: https://books2read.com/murderandmayhe...
- Damaged & Deadly: https://books2read.com/damagedanddeadly
- Chaos & Carnage: https://books2read.com/chaosandcarnage
Ruthless Boys of Ridgeway - Second chance romance, Friends-enemies-lovers, college, secret society, stalker, fake dating
- Pretty Spiteful: https://books2read.com/TRBoR1
- Pretty Vile: https://books2read.com/TRBoR2
- Pretty Lethal: https://books2read.com/TRBoR3
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
August 4, 2026
Tropes & Vibes:
🏒 Interconnected Standalone / RH Hockey Romance
👀 They fall first
⚡️ Trauma bonding / 3 Morally grey MMCs
🤫 Who did this to you?
🖤 Found family
🔥 Touch her and d*e
A hot-head, a silent shadow, and a control freak walk into her survival mode and wreak havoc.
What I Loved:
1️⃣ The twister scene, need I say more? Who wouldn’t want to play twister with 2+ hockey players??
2️⃣ “Ronan loves to watch”—and right there, as I lay dying, I knew the control freak was my favorite.
3️⃣ Delightful slow burn. I love when spice is not in the book for spice’s sake but is doled out at the right time and quantity for maximum effect.
4️⃣ This book is about dealing with trauma and abuse in many forms. Not only Wren either; each of the guys has their own trauma to match.
5️⃣ The selective mutism of one of the characters was such a nice touch, and I loved seeing it unfold.
Final Thoughts / Conclusions:
While I’m not super into the instalove of the guys getting obsessed with her only cause because they found her after she was left abused and discarded in the worst possible way, I loved how their respective traumas were a fractured mirror reflection of each other.
I’d also love to see more how three friends grow into the idea of sharing a girl. I love the concept (duh), but I don’t think it’s something that would be glossed over. Do they have history sharing? Is that why it's normal to them? It doesn’t seem so. I love the end result, but I’d love to see more of the process, whatever that might be (it doesn’t need to be dramatic or anything, but it is surely not something that happens without even a word about it).
Aside from that personal digression, this was good fun and the characters were diverse and had personal depth I loved. The slow burn slowburned, and it made the spice really count!
CHECK OUT MY IG CAROUSEL WITH GIFS
MY SONG PAIRING: AS I WAVE GOODBYE - ARTEMAS
Pre-read 💠 INTERCONNECTED STANDALONE 💠
The ARC window for this anticipated release is a bit too tight for my reading speed 😭😭😭 while still having to move an unfortunate other ARC down the queue (poor thing I'm already late for it), but I'll do my best after Daybreak!
🏒 Interconnected Standalone / RH Hockey Romance
👀 They fall first
⚡️ Trauma bonding / 3 Morally grey MMCs
🤫 Who did this to you?
🖤 Found family
🔥 Touch her and d*e
A hot-head, a silent shadow, and a control freak walk into her survival mode and wreak havoc.
What I Loved:
1️⃣ The twister scene, need I say more? Who wouldn’t want to play twister with 2+ hockey players??
2️⃣ “Ronan loves to watch”—and right there, as I lay dying, I knew the control freak was my favorite.
3️⃣ Delightful slow burn. I love when spice is not in the book for spice’s sake but is doled out at the right time and quantity for maximum effect.
4️⃣ This book is about dealing with trauma and abuse in many forms. Not only Wren either; each of the guys has their own trauma to match.
5️⃣ The selective mutism of one of the characters was such a nice touch, and I loved seeing it unfold.
Final Thoughts / Conclusions:
While I’m not super into the instalove of the guys getting obsessed with her only cause because they found her after she was left abused and discarded in the worst possible way, I loved how their respective traumas were a fractured mirror reflection of each other.
I’d also love to see more how three friends grow into the idea of sharing a girl. I love the concept (duh), but I don’t think it’s something that would be glossed over. Do they have history sharing? Is that why it's normal to them? It doesn’t seem so. I love the end result, but I’d love to see more of the process, whatever that might be (it doesn’t need to be dramatic or anything, but it is surely not something that happens without even a word about it).
Aside from that personal digression, this was good fun and the characters were diverse and had personal depth I loved. The slow burn slowburned, and it made the spice really count!
CHECK OUT MY IG CAROUSEL WITH GIFS
MY SONG PAIRING: AS I WAVE GOODBYE - ARTEMAS
Pre-read 💠 INTERCONNECTED STANDALONE 💠
The ARC window for this anticipated release is a bit too tight for my reading speed 😭😭😭 while still having to move an unfortunate other ARC down the queue (poor thing I'm already late for it), but I'll do my best after Daybreak!
August 10, 2026
I absolutely loved Wren’s story! R.A. Smyth definitely knows how to tell a story that sucks you in until the last word! Anything she writes I will read!
ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴇxᴘᴇᴄᴛ
♥RH
♥Touch her and d!e
♥Who did this to you?
♥Found family
♥Hockey romance
♥College romance
♥They fall first
♥Morally grey MMCs
♥Reluctant heiress
♥Forbidden romance
We first meet Wren in Stick It s as Dylan’s best friend (while this is an interconnected standalone, I highly recommend Stick It first).
Wren is forced to change schools by her parents (they own a major Hockey league) to be able to take over ownership one day. We learn that she had something traumatic happen that she thinks Ronan, Silas and Lucian were involved.
What happens when you stop running from the past and embrace the future you’re meant to have always had. What happens when you realize you don’t have to do everything alone and that you’re loved for you and not your last name? We find all of that in this book!
Story 5/5 ⭐️
Spice 5/5 ⭐️ (not a lot but what’s there is chefs kiss 💋)
I got this as an ARC from the author and this is my honest and true review!
ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴇxᴘᴇᴄᴛ
♥RH
♥Touch her and d!e
♥Who did this to you?
♥Found family
♥Hockey romance
♥College romance
♥They fall first
♥Morally grey MMCs
♥Reluctant heiress
♥Forbidden romance
We first meet Wren in Stick It s as Dylan’s best friend (while this is an interconnected standalone, I highly recommend Stick It first).
Wren is forced to change schools by her parents (they own a major Hockey league) to be able to take over ownership one day. We learn that she had something traumatic happen that she thinks Ronan, Silas and Lucian were involved.
What happens when you stop running from the past and embrace the future you’re meant to have always had. What happens when you realize you don’t have to do everything alone and that you’re loved for you and not your last name? We find all of that in this book!
Story 5/5 ⭐️
Spice 5/5 ⭐️ (not a lot but what’s there is chefs kiss 💋)
I got this as an ARC from the author and this is my honest and true review!
August 2, 2026
Northern Legacy continues with Top Shelf and Wren Winslow’s story.
We met Wren in Stick It as Dylan’s best friend. At the end of Stick It Wren runs from the bar and three of the Kings players. The Kings are the closet rival team to Dylan’s Steelhawks team.
Now Wren is no longer attending Valehurst with her best friend, she has transferred to BSU thanks to her parent’s insistence. She thought she was no longer under their thumb and then everything changed without asking her if it was ok. Not only is she fighting the disappointment of having to give up her freedom and her own dreams, she also has to worry about the three Kings players who are part of the worst night of her life.
Ronan the team captain and the son of politician has bucked his mother’s plans for him to follow in her footsteps and has already signed a NHL deal with the Serpents. He’s level headed, loyal, and the perfect leader, but under all that he’s fierce.
Lucian is the damaged, dangerous loose canon. He’s part of the a three-way deal into the Serpents team with Ronan and Silas. Lucian holds a terrible secret that will always haunt him and he and Wren have that in common.
Silas is the final player that has fallen for Wren. His childhood was unlike the others but damaged him in a different way. Silas no longer speaks and only trusts Lucian and Ronan. He’s a brilliant player though and his skills take him through to the Serpents also.
The guys have been haunted by the first time they saw Wren all the way back in freshman year. The problem was they never knew who she was or where to find her. That night they spotted her in the bar after a Valehurst game and learnt her name was just the start.
Being on the same campus puts Wren in their path once again. That’s not enough of though, Wren is pushed into the internship with the Kings hockey team. How? Well Wren is the daughter of NHL owners Serpents team. She once wanted to be the owner but her family made sure to crush that dream. Now her brother is going to be a player himself and not the new owner, Wren is dragged back in as the spare.
Now she’s on their campus in their home stadium and she can no longer run. They don’t know what Wren remembers, but when they find out they set out to help her learn the truth and face the past to move forward. Despite the trauma of everything they can’t let her go and won’t let her deal with the past, present or future alone again.
I was excited to go back to the Northern Legacy series. Wren is a fantastic FMC. Despite everything that happened she’s moved forward. The shift in her future thanks to her parents has caused her to loose some of her fire. But it’s there just under the surface and the guys help her bring it back to the surface.
Ronan, Lucian and Silas are great leading men too. Each brings something different to the table and they not only compliment each other but they each give Wren something she needs and deserves.
Was this as good as Dylan and her guys? In my opinion no, but it was still a story that I loved. I was happy to see Dylan be there for Wren and play the Kings. I wish we’d seen Dylan’s guys too but unfortunately they didn’t make an appearance.
Not having this series as a duet or a trilogy is different for R.A Smyth and I love that she’s done it this way. While I love a good cliffhanger and multiple books about the same characters, I do love getting a satisfying conclusion at the end of the book.
Not sure if there is any more to come in this series but I’ll be reading it if there is.
Happy Reading.
We met Wren in Stick It as Dylan’s best friend. At the end of Stick It Wren runs from the bar and three of the Kings players. The Kings are the closet rival team to Dylan’s Steelhawks team.
Now Wren is no longer attending Valehurst with her best friend, she has transferred to BSU thanks to her parent’s insistence. She thought she was no longer under their thumb and then everything changed without asking her if it was ok. Not only is she fighting the disappointment of having to give up her freedom and her own dreams, she also has to worry about the three Kings players who are part of the worst night of her life.
Ronan the team captain and the son of politician has bucked his mother’s plans for him to follow in her footsteps and has already signed a NHL deal with the Serpents. He’s level headed, loyal, and the perfect leader, but under all that he’s fierce.
Lucian is the damaged, dangerous loose canon. He’s part of the a three-way deal into the Serpents team with Ronan and Silas. Lucian holds a terrible secret that will always haunt him and he and Wren have that in common.
Silas is the final player that has fallen for Wren. His childhood was unlike the others but damaged him in a different way. Silas no longer speaks and only trusts Lucian and Ronan. He’s a brilliant player though and his skills take him through to the Serpents also.
The guys have been haunted by the first time they saw Wren all the way back in freshman year. The problem was they never knew who she was or where to find her. That night they spotted her in the bar after a Valehurst game and learnt her name was just the start.
Being on the same campus puts Wren in their path once again. That’s not enough of though, Wren is pushed into the internship with the Kings hockey team. How? Well Wren is the daughter of NHL owners Serpents team. She once wanted to be the owner but her family made sure to crush that dream. Now her brother is going to be a player himself and not the new owner, Wren is dragged back in as the spare.
Now she’s on their campus in their home stadium and she can no longer run. They don’t know what Wren remembers, but when they find out they set out to help her learn the truth and face the past to move forward. Despite the trauma of everything they can’t let her go and won’t let her deal with the past, present or future alone again.
I was excited to go back to the Northern Legacy series. Wren is a fantastic FMC. Despite everything that happened she’s moved forward. The shift in her future thanks to her parents has caused her to loose some of her fire. But it’s there just under the surface and the guys help her bring it back to the surface.
Ronan, Lucian and Silas are great leading men too. Each brings something different to the table and they not only compliment each other but they each give Wren something she needs and deserves.
Was this as good as Dylan and her guys? In my opinion no, but it was still a story that I loved. I was happy to see Dylan be there for Wren and play the Kings. I wish we’d seen Dylan’s guys too but unfortunately they didn’t make an appearance.
Not having this series as a duet or a trilogy is different for R.A Smyth and I love that she’s done it this way. While I love a good cliffhanger and multiple books about the same characters, I do love getting a satisfying conclusion at the end of the book.
Not sure if there is any more to come in this series but I’ll be reading it if there is.
Happy Reading.
Review of advance copy received from Author
🏒Overview
● 🦋 Top Shelf (Northern Legacy, Book 2)
● ✍🏻 By R.A. Smyth R.A. Smyth
● 🖤 Genre: Dark contemporary romance | Reverse harem | College/hockey romance
● 📖 Format: Standalone (Interconnected series, no cliffhanger)
● Spice: 🔥🔥🔥
Review
If you loved Stick It, the first book in the Northern Legacy series, you are in for another wonderful read with Top Shelf.
This story is an emotional journey for Wren, Lucian, Ronan, Silas - and for us as readers. Together, these characters confront trauma, work through the triggers trauma leaves behind, and ultimately grow into the strong, brilliant individuals they are meant to be.
What makes this book shine is its characters. Each of the main male characters is uniquely different, and stands out equally in his own right:
● Lucian - the slightly unhinged one, but only because he loves fiercely and without fail, especially when it comes to his Wren and his friends.
● Silas - the quiet, silent type - but someone you would never underestimate.
● Ronan - confident, steady, and the definition of stalwart strength.
Different as they are, one thing remains constant: each of them loves their girl fiercely.
And finally, our standout heroine:
● Wren - she is pure strength, fortitude, and resilience as she fights to process her trauma and overcome the obstacles set in her path as a result of said trauma. Her character is refreshing because she isn't overly brash or obnoxious; instead, she possesses a steady, quiet determination to heal and carve out a life for herself after being controlled by others for so long.
💭Final Thoughts
At its core, Top Shelf is a journey about finding healing and discovering who you are amongst the remnants of trauma. It's a powerful testament to found family - the people who stand beside you, support you, and fight for and with you every step of the way.
✨Rating & Recommendation
● Tropes: found family, trauma & healing, touch her and die, forced proximity, forbidden romance.
● Perfect for fans of: college hockey romances, reverse harem/why choose, protective MMCs, strong heroines overcoming the odds.
● ⚠️Check trigger warnings.⚠️
● 🦋 Top Shelf (Northern Legacy, Book 2)
● ✍🏻 By R.A. Smyth R.A. Smyth
● 🖤 Genre: Dark contemporary romance | Reverse harem | College/hockey romance
● 📖 Format: Standalone (Interconnected series, no cliffhanger)
● Spice: 🔥🔥🔥
Review
If you loved Stick It, the first book in the Northern Legacy series, you are in for another wonderful read with Top Shelf.
This story is an emotional journey for Wren, Lucian, Ronan, Silas - and for us as readers. Together, these characters confront trauma, work through the triggers trauma leaves behind, and ultimately grow into the strong, brilliant individuals they are meant to be.
"We are all surviving something. We just do it differently."
What makes this book shine is its characters. Each of the main male characters is uniquely different, and stands out equally in his own right:
● Lucian - the slightly unhinged one, but only because he loves fiercely and without fail, especially when it comes to his Wren and his friends.
● Silas - the quiet, silent type - but someone you would never underestimate.
● Ronan - confident, steady, and the definition of stalwart strength.
Different as they are, one thing remains constant: each of them loves their girl fiercely.
"Because I see you, Wren. All of you. And what stands before me? Is a goddamn warrior."
And finally, our standout heroine:
● Wren - she is pure strength, fortitude, and resilience as she fights to process her trauma and overcome the obstacles set in her path as a result of said trauma. Her character is refreshing because she isn't overly brash or obnoxious; instead, she possesses a steady, quiet determination to heal and carve out a life for herself after being controlled by others for so long.
💭Final Thoughts
At its core, Top Shelf is a journey about finding healing and discovering who you are amongst the remnants of trauma. It's a powerful testament to found family - the people who stand beside you, support you, and fight for and with you every step of the way.
✨Rating & Recommendation
● Tropes: found family, trauma & healing, touch her and die, forced proximity, forbidden romance.
● Perfect for fans of: college hockey romances, reverse harem/why choose, protective MMCs, strong heroines overcoming the odds.
● ⚠️Check trigger warnings.⚠️
August 17, 2026
Top Shelf is the second book in an interconnected hockey series but this one is for users solely on Wren!! Like her bestie Dylan she is from Hockey totality but not because her dad is a player but because he owns a successful hockey team. As a little girl Wren has always been obsessed with hockey but was overlooked consistently which only worsens relations with her family. Especially when forced to intern for a hockey team she’d rather be as far away from as possible.
Wren is sponge handled one of the strongest fmc’s I’ve read about for a while though not physically and more mentally. To overcome what she did takes the greatest courage and so back on Kings territory she finds the only three guys who would understand, who found her, who have had to deal with their own trauma’s and bonded because of it.
Ronan, Silas and Lucien know that Wren is their girl from the start and are determined to get her. Lucien is laser focused and not taking no for an answer only determined to make her his! Silas, the silent quiet type who observes more than she would care to admit but no less determined. Ronan is the leader the one who keeps the guys in line and the captain of the hockey team.
I enjoyed the is insta live angle for the guys but ultimately
felt at least Lucien would have been more pushy. Or maybe it’s a testament to how tightly controlled Ronan has him but in a good way. The guys were so careful and gentle with her letting her know they were there but not pushing her despite how much they wanted to help.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book I thought that Wren was slightly lonely and would have preferred to see a bit more of her brother plus Dylan and her guys a bit more because I miss them and I felt for how lonely Wren was at Valehurst. I also wish there had been time for more soice and group scenes but with the main plot for our Wren it was understandable why there was less.
if you haven’t begun Northern Legacy series I would absolutely start with Dylan’s story but as Wren’s is her own standalone if not needed to start there I just love Dylan as she might be my fave fmc on this series sorry Wren. What are you waiting for ice hockey lovers???? Pick this series up now!!!
Wren is sponge handled one of the strongest fmc’s I’ve read about for a while though not physically and more mentally. To overcome what she did takes the greatest courage and so back on Kings territory she finds the only three guys who would understand, who found her, who have had to deal with their own trauma’s and bonded because of it.
Ronan, Silas and Lucien know that Wren is their girl from the start and are determined to get her. Lucien is laser focused and not taking no for an answer only determined to make her his! Silas, the silent quiet type who observes more than she would care to admit but no less determined. Ronan is the leader the one who keeps the guys in line and the captain of the hockey team.
I enjoyed the is insta live angle for the guys but ultimately
felt at least Lucien would have been more pushy. Or maybe it’s a testament to how tightly controlled Ronan has him but in a good way. The guys were so careful and gentle with her letting her know they were there but not pushing her despite how much they wanted to help.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book I thought that Wren was slightly lonely and would have preferred to see a bit more of her brother plus Dylan and her guys a bit more because I miss them and I felt for how lonely Wren was at Valehurst. I also wish there had been time for more soice and group scenes but with the main plot for our Wren it was understandable why there was less.
if you haven’t begun Northern Legacy series I would absolutely start with Dylan’s story but as Wren’s is her own standalone if not needed to start there I just love Dylan as she might be my fave fmc on this series sorry Wren. What are you waiting for ice hockey lovers???? Pick this series up now!!!
August 5, 2026
I've read all of R.A. Smyth's books, and she's become one of those authors whose new releases I'll automatically pick up. Her writing style is engaging, her characters are memorable, and I genuinely enjoy the worlds she creates. Unfortunately, *Top Shelf* just didn't hit the same way for me as her previous books.
One of the biggest positives was the characters themselves. I really liked **Wren**, and I enjoyed getting to know **Lucian, Silas, and Ronan**. Their personalities were interesting, and I found myself invested in them as individuals. I just wish we'd gotten a little more depth from some of them. There were moments where I wanted to dive deeper into their backstories and relationships instead of revisiting the same thoughts or situations.
That was probably my biggest issue with the book—it felt repetitive at times. Certain scenes and internal dialogue seemed to circle back on themselves, which slowed the pacing for me. I think tightening those sections while expanding the character development would have made for a much stronger reading experience.
That said, I still enjoyed the story overall. It definitely wasn't a bad book—it just wasn't one that clicked with me personally. **Stick It** remains my favorite of the two books in the *Northern Legacy* series by a pretty wide margin. Whether this series continues or not, I'll absolutely be reading whatever R.A. Smyth writes next because I know this one was simply a case of my personal preferences rather than a reflection of her talent.
If you loved *Stick It*, I'd still recommend giving *Top Shelf* a chance. You may connect with Wren, Lucian, Silas, and Ronan much more than I did. While it wasn't my favorite from R.A. Smyth, I still appreciate the characters she created and look forward to seeing what she writes next.
One of the biggest positives was the characters themselves. I really liked **Wren**, and I enjoyed getting to know **Lucian, Silas, and Ronan**. Their personalities were interesting, and I found myself invested in them as individuals. I just wish we'd gotten a little more depth from some of them. There were moments where I wanted to dive deeper into their backstories and relationships instead of revisiting the same thoughts or situations.
That was probably my biggest issue with the book—it felt repetitive at times. Certain scenes and internal dialogue seemed to circle back on themselves, which slowed the pacing for me. I think tightening those sections while expanding the character development would have made for a much stronger reading experience.
That said, I still enjoyed the story overall. It definitely wasn't a bad book—it just wasn't one that clicked with me personally. **Stick It** remains my favorite of the two books in the *Northern Legacy* series by a pretty wide margin. Whether this series continues or not, I'll absolutely be reading whatever R.A. Smyth writes next because I know this one was simply a case of my personal preferences rather than a reflection of her talent.
If you loved *Stick It*, I'd still recommend giving *Top Shelf* a chance. You may connect with Wren, Lucian, Silas, and Ronan much more than I did. While it wasn't my favorite from R.A. Smyth, I still appreciate the characters she created and look forward to seeing what she writes next.
August 2, 2026
I am really enjoying these connected standalones; Wren was introduced in Dylan's book and both are women working in a predominantly male industry. Dylan had to deal with sexism but in Wren's case its nepotism on top of dealing with trauma from her past.
I thought the whole nepotism plotline was a good twist; Wren did in fact get the job because her father pulled strings, but it wasn't what she (or he) initially wanted. I liked how Wren discovered that she was not only good at it, but genuinely enjoyed it. Her parents are pretty grim, but I found the whole conflict of Wren not wanting to fully pursue her dream as it what her parents also want really interesting, as well as the growth that went along with it, rather than this just focusing on Wren uncovering who hurt her. Ronan has similarly controlling parents but goes in the opposite direction; he was probably my favourite of the MMCs and I liked the parallels between their situation. This isn't one of those why chooses with a funny one, the muscle and the alpha. Instead, they all feel like rounded characters with Lucien and Silas also having similarities with Wren's past.
I loved seeing Dylan again too - I love a crossover!
My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely until I finished it and it is one I will re-read
I thought the whole nepotism plotline was a good twist; Wren did in fact get the job because her father pulled strings, but it wasn't what she (or he) initially wanted. I liked how Wren discovered that she was not only good at it, but genuinely enjoyed it. Her parents are pretty grim, but I found the whole conflict of Wren not wanting to fully pursue her dream as it what her parents also want really interesting, as well as the growth that went along with it, rather than this just focusing on Wren uncovering who hurt her. Ronan has similarly controlling parents but goes in the opposite direction; he was probably my favourite of the MMCs and I liked the parallels between their situation. This isn't one of those why chooses with a funny one, the muscle and the alpha. Instead, they all feel like rounded characters with Lucien and Silas also having similarities with Wren's past.
I loved seeing Dylan again too - I love a crossover!
My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely until I finished it and it is one I will re-read
July 31, 2026
*Reverse Harem
*Contemporary
*Multi-1st-PoV
*Hockey Romance
*College Setting
*Abused FMC
*Misunderstandings
*Established Harem (3)
*Slow Burn
*Standalone
Found Family 🥰
Gosh what a story for Wren - it’s full of emotion and the fight to be true to yourself!
There are content warnings in this book that you do need to be aware (nothing direct on page but made reference to and flash backs).
The focus of this book is very much on Wren’s journey to recover herself and keep moving forward after her attack, as well as forging a path for her future that she wants to :) You really see Wren come into herself as she finds a balance between what she wants, what she’s good at and what her parents have mapped out for her 🙈
Her men are her constant cheerleaders and supporters - not that she knows that in the very beginning 😔 but they really come through for her! Each chappie has a unique personality - Roman the stoic leader who has a serious protective side; Lucian the crazy golden retriever who’s instantly all in; and Silas with his own demons willing to be her safety net 🥰 they compliment each other and Wren really well. And oh boy when they come together for our girl🌶️🌶️
I did suspect who the ‘villain’ was pretty quickly but other than that it was a great standalone read with some real depth to it and strong characters 😄
*Contemporary
*Multi-1st-PoV
*Hockey Romance
*College Setting
*Abused FMC
*Misunderstandings
*Established Harem (3)
*Slow Burn
*Standalone
Found Family 🥰
Gosh what a story for Wren - it’s full of emotion and the fight to be true to yourself!
There are content warnings in this book that you do need to be aware (nothing direct on page but made reference to and flash backs).
The focus of this book is very much on Wren’s journey to recover herself and keep moving forward after her attack, as well as forging a path for her future that she wants to :) You really see Wren come into herself as she finds a balance between what she wants, what she’s good at and what her parents have mapped out for her 🙈
Her men are her constant cheerleaders and supporters - not that she knows that in the very beginning 😔 but they really come through for her! Each chappie has a unique personality - Roman the stoic leader who has a serious protective side; Lucian the crazy golden retriever who’s instantly all in; and Silas with his own demons willing to be her safety net 🥰 they compliment each other and Wren really well. And oh boy when they come together for our girl🌶️🌶️
I did suspect who the ‘villain’ was pretty quickly but other than that it was a great standalone read with some real depth to it and strong characters 😄
August 3, 2026
Top Shelf - what to expect 🔥RH 🔥Touch her & die vibes 🔥Found Family 🔥Hockey Romance 🔥College Romance/ morally grey MMC’S 🔥Forbidden Romance/ Reluctant Heiress and all the emotionally charged moments you could ever want or need Well I really was just taken on the ride of my life and completely blown away in all the best ways . R.A Smyth nailed it and delivered one of the best books I’ve read all summer . Top Shelf was and is everything, i mean everything. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that plays on all your emotions in ways you won’t even be expecting. You’ll experience everything from being utterly speechless, to yelling outta pure frustration. Your heart will feel like it’s beating so fast and then bam being crushed the next , you’ll be glued to the edge of your seat anticipating what will happen from beginning to end . And you’ll find yourself rooting so freaking hard . Wren , Silas , Lucien and Roan , omg I just loved them so so much. I loved the differences between the guys and everything they brought to the table , I loved each of their relationships with Wren . And how even though she’s been through something terrible in the past - all 3 guys are determined to protect her and never waver from her side . Without giving anything away , I’m just going to say you absolutely need to read this book / series , because it truly is chefs kiss 💋
Review of advance copy received from Author
Format: 📱 eBook 📱 (ARC)
Check CWs before reading
Another great read from Smyth, with a strong FMC who doesn't realise just how strong she is as we go on one heck of an emotional rollercoaster as she finds her new place at a new university.
This follows on beautifully from book one in the series (Stick It) as that's where we first meet Wren but can be read as its own standalone.
I love Wren. She's a character that is easily relatable, has been through horrors in her past, and wants to find a way to move on. She shows amazing strength and growth throughout the story, and it's her particular tone that kept me invested the whole time. She's recovering from something awful, and has wrongly placed out three MMCs, but she's willing to open up and learn the truth of what really happened.
Lucien, Ronan and Silas are all wonderfully unique MMCs, all bringing something special to the evolving relationship with Wren, and all being there for her in their own way. Lucien, the hot-headed, obsessed MMC. Ronan, the steady presence. And Silas, the quiet boy who you can't help but love. All their backstories are wonderfully crafted, too, and you'll likely shed tears for them, as well as for Wren.
I will admit that Smyth got me with the twist in the third act - I did have mild suspicion, but the way it was delivered was fantastic to read.
Another great entry in the Northern Legacy series, and I'm curious to find out who we might follow next as our MC.
Thank you to the author for the eARC opportunity. These are my honest thoughts that I have provided voluntarily.
Check CWs before reading
Another great read from Smyth, with a strong FMC who doesn't realise just how strong she is as we go on one heck of an emotional rollercoaster as she finds her new place at a new university.
This follows on beautifully from book one in the series (Stick It) as that's where we first meet Wren but can be read as its own standalone.
I love Wren. She's a character that is easily relatable, has been through horrors in her past, and wants to find a way to move on. She shows amazing strength and growth throughout the story, and it's her particular tone that kept me invested the whole time. She's recovering from something awful, and has wrongly placed out three MMCs, but she's willing to open up and learn the truth of what really happened.
Lucien, Ronan and Silas are all wonderfully unique MMCs, all bringing something special to the evolving relationship with Wren, and all being there for her in their own way. Lucien, the hot-headed, obsessed MMC. Ronan, the steady presence. And Silas, the quiet boy who you can't help but love. All their backstories are wonderfully crafted, too, and you'll likely shed tears for them, as well as for Wren.
I will admit that Smyth got me with the twist in the third act - I did have mild suspicion, but the way it was delivered was fantastic to read.
Another great entry in the Northern Legacy series, and I'm curious to find out who we might follow next as our MC.
Thank you to the author for the eARC opportunity. These are my honest thoughts that I have provided voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
As soon as I clicked on this, I could not put this down. I was invested in Wren's story from the very beginning. If you've read Book 1 then you will have undoubtedly met Dylan's bestie. Wren was formidable. You got that vibe from her from the start. And it carried over when her life was changed in an instant.
She believed something. Something that she saw, heard, felt. But was it the truth? Ronan, Lucian and Silas was that truth and they are determined to right the wrong that was ingrained in her for years. So they insert themselves into the narrative. Ronan is stubborn but there. Lucian's rage simmers beneath the surface but makes himself known at every single opportunity. And Silas with his quiet intensity. He's there. He's protective, he's grounding. He's safe.
Wren's personality shines throughout. She's feisty even though she's cowered a time or two while doing this internship that was procured by her mother. She's seen as nothing more than the daughter of a hockey owner. Your basic nepo baby. Her last name got her in the door but her actions and her fortitude will keep her in the building.
I really hope there's more in this world because I enjoyed this!
She believed something. Something that she saw, heard, felt. But was it the truth? Ronan, Lucian and Silas was that truth and they are determined to right the wrong that was ingrained in her for years. So they insert themselves into the narrative. Ronan is stubborn but there. Lucian's rage simmers beneath the surface but makes himself known at every single opportunity. And Silas with his quiet intensity. He's there. He's protective, he's grounding. He's safe.
Wren's personality shines throughout. She's feisty even though she's cowered a time or two while doing this internship that was procured by her mother. She's seen as nothing more than the daughter of a hockey owner. Your basic nepo baby. Her last name got her in the door but her actions and her fortitude will keep her in the building.
I really hope there's more in this world because I enjoyed this!
July 27, 2026
WHAT TO EXPECT:
✔️ Why Choose
✔️ Ice Hockey
✔️ College Romance
✔️ Close Proximity
✔️ Tragic Past
✔️ Protective MMCs
⚠️ Check trigger warnings; this dark content is for +18 readers
Something about this Northern Legacy series checks all the right boxes for me. If you are a fan of why-choose and hockey romances, I highly suggest checking out this series! This time, the storyline follows Wren as her “hockey royalty” parents force her to change colleges and her major after her brother decides he would rather be an NHL player than work behind the scenes with team ownership. That decision puts more family pressure on her shoulders. Wren’s BSU bestie from her old school, Dylan, also makes her appearance in book two, solidifying their friendship even more. Lucian, Ronan, and Silas are roommates, teammates, and already close friends, and each brings something different to the relationship as they pull Wren into their protective fold. While there is some triggering content, I found the story flowed well, keeping me engaged from beginning to end. I am giving Top Shelf a rating of 4.5/5 stars.
✔️ Why Choose
✔️ Ice Hockey
✔️ College Romance
✔️ Close Proximity
✔️ Tragic Past
✔️ Protective MMCs
⚠️ Check trigger warnings; this dark content is for +18 readers
Something about this Northern Legacy series checks all the right boxes for me. If you are a fan of why-choose and hockey romances, I highly suggest checking out this series! This time, the storyline follows Wren as her “hockey royalty” parents force her to change colleges and her major after her brother decides he would rather be an NHL player than work behind the scenes with team ownership. That decision puts more family pressure on her shoulders. Wren’s BSU bestie from her old school, Dylan, also makes her appearance in book two, solidifying their friendship even more. Lucian, Ronan, and Silas are roommates, teammates, and already close friends, and each brings something different to the relationship as they pull Wren into their protective fold. While there is some triggering content, I found the story flowed well, keeping me engaged from beginning to end. I am giving Top Shelf a rating of 4.5/5 stars.
August 1, 2026
Wren from Hockey royalty family and when her brother decides against taking over running their hockey team her parents decide it is her responsibility. She is then completely taken out of the life she has started and moved to another college. She is moved to the college of the three men she wants to stay far away from. Ronan, Lucian, and Silas have been searching for Wren since that night they found her, knowing that she will be there. The story is full of suspense and twist. While Lucian is the chaos that feeds her wild side, Silas is the calm and quiet that she needs to find peace. Ronan is the one in complete control who holds them all together. Wren has been trying to find herself but is always shoved back into the box her parents want her to be until her men show her she can truly be herself. They never pushed her too far just wanting to know where they stand and give her the options for her to make her own choices. These me will find out the truth for her and help her find closure, they will protect her and build her up to be the person they know she can be, Perfect read from start to finish.I was given this book as an ARC for my honest review.
August 6, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
R.A. Smyth is an auto-buy author for me, and once again she did not disappoint. Top Shelf was everything I hoped it would be and more.
I’ve been waiting for Wren's story from the moment we met her in Stick It. I had my theories back then, but nothing could have prepared me for what happened. The hurt/comfort trope was so present in this book. I definitely recommend checking the trigger warning beforehand. Her trauma was so well-written that I was ready to cry. I loved how throughout the book we see so much character development in her. And don’t get me started on the guys. They were her rock from day one! I really enjoyed how they weren’t mean to her or not understanding of her situation for even a second. I enjoyed their devotion to her and how considerate they were. They carried their own trauma, and that made them fit perfectly with each other.
Additionally, there were so many cute and funny moments in this book. I know it’s bad, but when they finally met again was peak comedy - the dual meaning of their situation and how it confused Wren even more. I loved it. I really hope this series will continue.
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
R.A. Smyth is an auto-buy author for me, and once again she did not disappoint. Top Shelf was everything I hoped it would be and more.
I’ve been waiting for Wren's story from the moment we met her in Stick It. I had my theories back then, but nothing could have prepared me for what happened. The hurt/comfort trope was so present in this book. I definitely recommend checking the trigger warning beforehand. Her trauma was so well-written that I was ready to cry. I loved how throughout the book we see so much character development in her. And don’t get me started on the guys. They were her rock from day one! I really enjoyed how they weren’t mean to her or not understanding of her situation for even a second. I enjoyed their devotion to her and how considerate they were. They carried their own trauma, and that made them fit perfectly with each other.
Additionally, there were so many cute and funny moments in this book. I know it’s bad, but when they finally met again was peak comedy - the dual meaning of their situation and how it confused Wren even more. I loved it. I really hope this series will continue.
August 5, 2026
I thought nothing would top Dylan's story but but but but Top Shelf, Wren is just amazing! She is my definition of strong and resilient. I feel like Wren's story is so relatable, that pain, that hurt, it really translated. I felt every emotion she felt.
Besides her brother, Wren has felt so alone in the world until Dylan came along her best friend, but her parents had other plans for her. Where to live, what to study, what to eat, wear, even who to be with. Until her internship ( also organised by her parents) she meets a couple of guys... i will say no more... read it for yourself, it's soooo good!
The men, hmmmmmhmmm where to start above all else, the level of respect they have for her, made me swooooonnnn so many times. After everything she's been through, how they stand beside her, lifting her up, asking, listening, like all of it is incredible. All three of them have different pasts, but their pain is mutual, they are drawn together likes moths.
Beautiful story, absolutely in love with it.
Besides her brother, Wren has felt so alone in the world until Dylan came along her best friend, but her parents had other plans for her. Where to live, what to study, what to eat, wear, even who to be with. Until her internship ( also organised by her parents) she meets a couple of guys... i will say no more... read it for yourself, it's soooo good!
The men, hmmmmmhmmm where to start above all else, the level of respect they have for her, made me swooooonnnn so many times. After everything she's been through, how they stand beside her, lifting her up, asking, listening, like all of it is incredible. All three of them have different pasts, but their pain is mutual, they are drawn together likes moths.
Beautiful story, absolutely in love with it.
August 11, 2026
Back into the Northern Legacy series we go, and it felt like I never left. Gwen was such a big part of Stick It that it was only natural for her story to be told next. And wow is it an extremely deep and emotional ride, especially since it literally could happen to anyone in real life. Just like Dylan in the first book, Gwen is a real inspiration to females everywhere and she truly deserved the happy ending she got.
Ronan, Silas, and Lucien were a real treat to read. Each come with their own baggage, different backgrounds, and still love each other as only true brothers can. I think what makes this group special is that they are different from the Steelhawk crew and yet still as obsessed and possessive. I love how R.A. Smyth takes the time to get into their pasts, it just felt like there could have been more about them. Same with the sexy times, those scenes were hot, but sometimes just felt quick. Overall, yes I loved Top Shelf and already feel like I need to get back into this world as soon as possible.
Ronan, Silas, and Lucien were a real treat to read. Each come with their own baggage, different backgrounds, and still love each other as only true brothers can. I think what makes this group special is that they are different from the Steelhawk crew and yet still as obsessed and possessive. I love how R.A. Smyth takes the time to get into their pasts, it just felt like there could have been more about them. Same with the sexy times, those scenes were hot, but sometimes just felt quick. Overall, yes I loved Top Shelf and already feel like I need to get back into this world as soon as possible.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I didn't think RA Smyth could beat Stick It, the first standalone book in her connected hockey series of Northern Legacy but she did! In this second installment we get Wren's story. She's moved away from Dylan and BSU at her parents demand and is starting her senior year in a university, major, apartment and internship all hand picked by her parents. She feels alone and unseen, except by three of the hockey players. She knows them, or at least she think she does. They are drawn to her, and the way Silas, Ronan and Lucian just want to support her and watch her be the strong woman they know her to be is amazing. They were there years ago to help her, and only want to do so again. I loved how RA Smyth showed us Wren's journey. She started off feeling so small and unseen; and she was able to figure out what she wanted and how she wanted to get there. It was empowering to read and I greatly enjoyed her story. I can't wait to see what RA Smyth comes up with next!
Review of advance copy
The plot was definitely addicting, keeping me eager to turn each page. The main characters are what made this story though. Wren, along with each of her men were so easy to love.
I love that the guys were all in from the beginning and were determined to support her.
Lucian, Silas, and Ronan were so unique. However, they all had experienced some sort of trauma or pain themselves. My heart went out to each of the main characters.
I loved Wren. She is resilient and strong even if she didn't realize it. Together they were all able to help each other heal and grow.
R.A. Smyth brought us another fantastic book! I loved the storyline and the characters! There was drama, all the feels, humor, tension, and spice. There was also a little bit of mystery regarding Wren's past. Most importantly, our characters get their happy ending!
I love that the guys were all in from the beginning and were determined to support her.
Lucian, Silas, and Ronan were so unique. However, they all had experienced some sort of trauma or pain themselves. My heart went out to each of the main characters.
I loved Wren. She is resilient and strong even if she didn't realize it. Together they were all able to help each other heal and grow.
R.A. Smyth brought us another fantastic book! I loved the storyline and the characters! There was drama, all the feels, humor, tension, and spice. There was also a little bit of mystery regarding Wren's past. Most importantly, our characters get their happy ending!
August 6, 2026
I loved this book so much. I was so excited when i found out Wren was getting her HEA. I loved her in Dylan's book and she deserves all the love. I still loved seeing her relationship with Dylan and how close these two besties still are. Her guy's are just everything , their whole universe is her from the minute they meet. I couldn't pick a favourite guy they all have qualities I love in my hero's. This book had me hooked , swooning and completely in love with them all throughout. This book as some dark themes throughout so please read TW before reading , wow it made me so emotional. It was such an incredible emotional rollercoaster ride for me ,but im sat here at the end writing this with a smile on my face and heart so full for Wren and her guy's. Amazing five star read that I devoured and couldn't put down.
August 15, 2026
This is book 2 in an interconnected series where each book can be read as a standalone. I loved the multi-POV storytelling by each character but how they intertwine is really what makes this story shine.
Wren is running from her family legacy and the painful past tied to it, and she ends up caught between three very different guys. Lucian is wild and reckless, Ronan is disciplined and intense, and Silas is the quiet.
I love how protective the guys are of Wren. Silas is my favorite once you get his backstory and see his shared moments with her, it’s just so good. I also really admire the strength Wren shows and how she builds her own path despite everything she’s come from.
Overall a solid, enjoyable read with characters I connected with, a good addition to the series and worth picking up if you enjoy protective, multi-POV romance.
Wren is running from her family legacy and the painful past tied to it, and she ends up caught between three very different guys. Lucian is wild and reckless, Ronan is disciplined and intense, and Silas is the quiet.
I love how protective the guys are of Wren. Silas is my favorite once you get his backstory and see his shared moments with her, it’s just so good. I also really admire the strength Wren shows and how she builds her own path despite everything she’s come from.
Overall a solid, enjoyable read with characters I connected with, a good addition to the series and worth picking up if you enjoy protective, multi-POV romance.
August 3, 2026
Top Shelf delivered the perfect blend of emotional depth, sizzling chemistry, and suspense. Wren’s journey of confronting her past while finding her own strength made this story so much more than just a romance. Watching her heal, grow, and learn to trust again was one of my favorite parts of the book.
The relationships were intense, protective, and filled with tension, and I loved how each one developed in its own unique way. Every interaction felt meaningful and added another layer to the story.
If you love dark hockey romance with protective, possessive heroes, emotional healing, found family, and a heroine who refuses to let her past define her, this is absolutely one to add to your TBR!
The relationships were intense, protective, and filled with tension, and I loved how each one developed in its own unique way. Every interaction felt meaningful and added another layer to the story.
If you love dark hockey romance with protective, possessive heroes, emotional healing, found family, and a heroine who refuses to let her past define her, this is absolutely one to add to your TBR!
August 3, 2026
If you liked stick it then then you are going to love Top Shelf. This time we follow Wren, who loves her life until her parents tell her she's got to take over the family business and move, leaving her best friend and her team. She’s just finding her feet when she sees the 3 kings, who are demanding to part of her life but all Wren wants is to run from them. This book is about healing and self discovery, get ready for an emotional ride where the truth needs to come out before anyone can move forward and Wren finally works out who is on her side and who will fight for her. I just loved this book and couldn’t put it down as its beautiful written and its another amazing read from R.A.
Please read the trigger warnings before reading.
Please read the trigger warnings before reading.
July 25, 2026
Multi POV with the majority being Wren’s. Lucian is the definition of touch her and die. Like a few times I thought he might actually kill someone just for looking at her. If you prefer your harem to be on board from the get go with sharing then you’ll love these guys. There’s never any question that she’s theirs as a group. I do wish we had some more time with them individually and as a group although I also appreciate standalone that aren’t 700 pages so. I liked Wren and am enjoying these interconnected standalones.
The whole premise really does revolve around her being SAd so check CW at the beginning but there’s nothing super graphic.
The whole premise really does revolve around her being SAd so check CW at the beginning but there’s nothing super graphic.
August 1, 2026
So good!! I had a hard time putting this one down. If you liked Stick It the first book in this series you are going to love Top Shelf. I loved Dylan and her men and her story but oh m gee Wren and her men have my heart.
This book had lots of healing not just from Wren but from a few of her guys too. I love a good broken boy trope and this story has two broken boys. But I love all three MMCs. They are obsessed with Wren and they just want to take care of her and make her feel safe and protected and I love that for especially after what she went through and the crap her parents put her through. Despite Wren’s trauma she was a strong sassy woman and I absolutely loved her and once the boys were able to break through her walls things started to heat up between them. Lucian was the fierce protected along with Ronan and then you have Silas who while quiet was always there when she needed him. They all were but something about a quiet protector had me all giddy.
If you love why choose hockey romance you are going to love this book. I highly recommend reading this and if you haven’t read Stick It yet definitely meet Dylan and her men first. 😍
This book had lots of healing not just from Wren but from a few of her guys too. I love a good broken boy trope and this story has two broken boys. But I love all three MMCs. They are obsessed with Wren and they just want to take care of her and make her feel safe and protected and I love that for especially after what she went through and the crap her parents put her through. Despite Wren’s trauma she was a strong sassy woman and I absolutely loved her and once the boys were able to break through her walls things started to heat up between them. Lucian was the fierce protected along with Ronan and then you have Silas who while quiet was always there when she needed him. They all were but something about a quiet protector had me all giddy.
If you love why choose hockey romance you are going to love this book. I highly recommend reading this and if you haven’t read Stick It yet definitely meet Dylan and her men first. 😍
August 2, 2026
This book just grabbed me from the beginning. Be sure to check the triggers before reading. Wren is that FMC that you can't help loving. She has been through something horrible in her past and wants to move on. She definitely has walls up.
The three guys, Lucian, Silas, and Ronan are oh so good. A few of them have some trauma too and man when they get around Wren they are absolutely protective. Wren is suspicious and will take them a bit to get through her walls.
I love how they listen to her and how protective they were. The twists had me holding on while reading and just wanting answers. Such a great book. If you like why choose and hockey in your books, you will love this!
The three guys, Lucian, Silas, and Ronan are oh so good. A few of them have some trauma too and man when they get around Wren they are absolutely protective. Wren is suspicious and will take them a bit to get through her walls.
I love how they listen to her and how protective they were. The twists had me holding on while reading and just wanting answers. Such a great book. If you like why choose and hockey in your books, you will love this!
August 3, 2026
This is Wren’s story. You meet her in “Stick It” and while it’s not necessary to read it first, it’s recommended. Plus it’s a great read as well, so why not? Wren’s parents make her come home and switch universities. They also get her an internship with the schools hockey team. Wren was r*ped freshman year and she never told anyone. She believes three guys from her new school did it. Come to find out they saved her. But this story is how she overcomes that, her parents controlling nature and learns to stick up for herself. And of course falling for the three guys.
I couldn’t put this book down. Ever since reading “Stick It” I was anticipating Wrens story. I loved every minute of it.
I couldn’t put this book down. Ever since reading “Stick It” I was anticipating Wrens story. I loved every minute of it.
August 4, 2026
top shelf
OMG our Wren girl has definitely been through enough and it all just makes so much more sense! We got to meet her in Dylan’s book and I love her even more than I did then. Then men definitely don’t disappoint either. When we find out the truth of the night that destroys our girl, the way they were involved, it changes literally everything. I will say though, I had my suspicions but never did I think THATS how we found out. Although I loved how we got to see Wren evolve from the girl who let her family dictate her entire life to the fierce woman she now is. Honestly I need another book following her life after college because I don’t want to say bye to her yet.
OMG our Wren girl has definitely been through enough and it all just makes so much more sense! We got to meet her in Dylan’s book and I love her even more than I did then. Then men definitely don’t disappoint either. When we find out the truth of the night that destroys our girl, the way they were involved, it changes literally everything. I will say though, I had my suspicions but never did I think THATS how we found out. Although I loved how we got to see Wren evolve from the girl who let her family dictate her entire life to the fierce woman she now is. Honestly I need another book following her life after college because I don’t want to say bye to her yet.
August 4, 2026
This was a fantastic RH romance story that had me on the edge of my seat the whole way through. It was filled with suspense, drama, angst, heartbreaking emotional moments, passion and a love between four characters that was just beautifully written.
Wren starts off seemingly meek and passive, but underneath that is such a fierce young woman that just needs to break out of her shell and show her teeth! Which she does with the help of three incredible men.
I absolutely loved this story and the way that these characters bonded over a tragic moment and developed a connection and bond that couldn’t be broken.
"We are all surviving something. We just do it differently."
Wren starts off seemingly meek and passive, but underneath that is such a fierce young woman that just needs to break out of her shell and show her teeth! Which she does with the help of three incredible men.
I absolutely loved this story and the way that these characters bonded over a tragic moment and developed a connection and bond that couldn’t be broken.
"We are all surviving something. We just do it differently."
August 7, 2026
It’s finally here!
If you are a fan of this author’s books, then you’ll definitely want to read this.
I won’t lie, this is very different than most of her other books. It was perfect, but definitely different.
There is no bullying from the group of guys and are protective from the start. The men are perfect and droolworthy. They are protective but empowering. They have their own traumas and people always say “like attracts like.”
As Wren works through her own trauma and learns to fight for what she wants, we see the guys stand beside her.
This is definitely a must read - and a standalone. So, take some time to read this.
If you are a fan of this author’s books, then you’ll definitely want to read this.
I won’t lie, this is very different than most of her other books. It was perfect, but definitely different.
There is no bullying from the group of guys and are protective from the start. The men are perfect and droolworthy. They are protective but empowering. They have their own traumas and people always say “like attracts like.”
As Wren works through her own trauma and learns to fight for what she wants, we see the guys stand beside her.
This is definitely a must read - and a standalone. So, take some time to read this.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews