Stuck with my Guarded MVP

by Sophie Shelton

He’s my brother’s star player—and my unexpected new roommate.

It starts with a canceled apartment tour and one impulsive offer.
Liam Callahan has a spare room. I need a place to stay. Simple… until it isn’t.

He’s guarded, gorgeous, and completely off limits.

But he cooks like a five-star chef, while I microwave vegetables.
We shouldn’t make sense.

But our mornings start with coffee I didn’t brew.
He buys four types of milk, so I don’t have to drink my coffee black.
And his hands close over mine as he teaches me to cook

I tell myself it’s just proximity.
Just kindness.
But somewhere between “temporary stay” and candlelight dinner for two, my heart’s forgotten the rules.

But then he finds the apartment listings I left in his printer.
He thinks I’m planning to leave him.

Genres: Romance

328 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 23, 2025

Reviews

[Sheri Bolinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great, sweet read! Liam was so surprising! While a tough goalie, he was a fantastic cook. It became his heartbeat as much as hockey had. He was kind, attentive, liked things a certain way but showed his emotions through little things like making coffee! Claire was the absolute best at taking care of others. The amount of love and care she gave her brother and his family was one of my favorite things about her. She was snarky, highly organized, labeling and color coding everything! These two, while awkward at first, slowly start to figure things out. Their story was so neat to watch unfold. I just loved both of them, I couldn't help it!!

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of interconnected series but can be read as a standalone.
Coach's sister
Doppelganger
Foodie
Roommates to more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shari · Rating 1 out of 5]

I started this as an audio and I thought the computer generated voice was the issue. It just seemed so slow and uneventful. It did not improve when I switched tho reading it. It was painfully slow. I think there is an audience for this book, but I am not it.

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A chance meeting, a surprise that their lives were already intertwined, an unexpected offer, and now they were roommates.
Slowly with utmost gentleness their lives b
Uso much mreecause interwoven an their happiness took over. This lovely book started with a kind offer for Claire to move into his spare bedroom so she could stay close to her brother and family. It could have gone weird when he found out that her brother is his coach. Or maybe when she bought dried basil. Regardless, through everything imaginable, this-whatever you call it-works.Until..
I loved the deliciously slow but steady pacing, the nonverbal communication, and both of their internal struggles and hidden worries. It was unlike any other book that I have read. People! This is not just another
hockey romance---it's so much more! It's quiet joy and perfection!

[Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title, STUCK WITH MY GUARDED MVP (A Hockey Romance), led me to expect a short, light hearted, fun, afternoon read. It’s not. This is a straight up, very slow burn love story. All the characters are exceptionally well drawn and you can’t help but fall in love with both Liam and Clair!
I reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book with no strings attached.