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Boston Bandits #1
Sweep Stake
Not yet published
Expected 26 Jan 26KAELI REED
Kaeli Reed –type A creative genius – has spent her entire life being eclipsed by her older brother’s shadow in more ways than one. Landing the new job as social media manager for the Boston Bandits is her chance to finally step into the spotlight and devote herself to her career. It’s all smooth skating from there until an angry, heated kiss with her broody yet oddly caring enemy, Ezra Moore – the team’s captain– leads to a relationship they can’t air.
EZRA MOORE
Burned once before by love, Ezra has no intention to stake his heart again. Yet, he finds himself oddly pulled into the constant banter with the woman he claims to hate and the one he can’t have. One night with Kaeli shatters his defenses, and when it comes to her, there’s no playbook – only instincts.
When a mistake threatens to expose their clandestine romance, Kaeli must choose between guarding the future she’s fought tooth and nail for or risking it all for the one man she was never supposed to want – the man who could unravel her career.
All while battling a danger from her past that’s lurking in the dark, waiting to strike.
Kaeli Reed –type A creative genius – has spent her entire life being eclipsed by her older brother’s shadow in more ways than one. Landing the new job as social media manager for the Boston Bandits is her chance to finally step into the spotlight and devote herself to her career. It’s all smooth skating from there until an angry, heated kiss with her broody yet oddly caring enemy, Ezra Moore – the team’s captain– leads to a relationship they can’t air.
EZRA MOORE
Burned once before by love, Ezra has no intention to stake his heart again. Yet, he finds himself oddly pulled into the constant banter with the woman he claims to hate and the one he can’t have. One night with Kaeli shatters his defenses, and when it comes to her, there’s no playbook – only instincts.
When a mistake threatens to expose their clandestine romance, Kaeli must choose between guarding the future she’s fought tooth and nail for or risking it all for the one man she was never supposed to want – the man who could unravel her career.
All while battling a danger from her past that’s lurking in the dark, waiting to strike.
501 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 26, 2026
20 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Myra Bloom
1 book16 followersAfter getting her degree in Economics Honors, Myra Bloom was compelled to write about women who make hard choices to advance in their careers and find a home in the love that understands and uplifts them.
Her books will always be sweet, swoony, and spicy with hints of thriller, and will take you into an immersive world and have you on the edge of your seat with every page you turn.
When she’s not seated in front of her screen, drafting yet another unforeseen twist, she can be found talking her family’s ears off with stories that are yet to see the light of day, watching kdramas like her life depends on it, and diving into the ever-growing list of TBR.
Find her on IG and Threads: @authormyrabloom
Her books will always be sweet, swoony, and spicy with hints of thriller, and will take you into an immersive world and have you on the edge of your seat with every page you turn.
When she’s not seated in front of her screen, drafting yet another unforeseen twist, she can be found talking her family’s ears off with stories that are yet to see the light of day, watching kdramas like her life depends on it, and diving into the ever-growing list of TBR.
Find her on IG and Threads: @authormyrabloom
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
January 13, 2026
ARC REVIEW
Sweep Stake is a hockey player x social media manager romance that follows Ezra & Kaeli, and it has a ‘fuck it moment’!!!! If you know me, this’ll get me every damn time & this was no exception.
ok so THE TENSION WAS TENSIONING in the best way possible all throughout this book. I truely believed for the first 30% of this book that Ezra & Kaeli HATED each other -> & so seeing them grow together was so sweet
Ezra definitely stole the show with his humour , “What even is that funny? His existence?” dead. laughing out loud , dead.
The pacing throughout was really good, but lost me a bit during the end. I did not see the plot twist like holy shit but in saying that some of it felt like an extreme jump from the initial plot point & made the pacing go from smooth to sort of disjointed.
Thankyou to Myra & her team for the ARC !
Sweep Stake is a hockey player x social media manager romance that follows Ezra & Kaeli, and it has a ‘fuck it moment’!!!! If you know me, this’ll get me every damn time & this was no exception.
ok so THE TENSION WAS TENSIONING in the best way possible all throughout this book. I truely believed for the first 30% of this book that Ezra & Kaeli HATED each other -> & so seeing them grow together was so sweet
Ezra definitely stole the show with his humour , “What even is that funny? His existence?” dead. laughing out loud , dead.
The pacing throughout was really good, but lost me a bit during the end. I did not see the plot twist like holy shit but in saying that some of it felt like an extreme jump from the initial plot point & made the pacing go from smooth to sort of disjointed.
Thankyou to Myra & her team for the ARC !
January 21, 2026
I want to note that this is a debut book, and with that, there is a lot of potential. There was so much good in this book, and I really enjoyed the romance side of this. Ezra was a little much with his overly violent tendencies, but I really enjoyed Kaeli, and I enjoyed the overall plot.
However, the ending really didn’t do it for me. Maybe if it had felt more present in the plot the whole time, but it was the one time in the arena, and then nothing, and then everything. Almost felt like a plot hole that needed to be filled so we just threw an ending in the book.
However, if you enjoy hockey romances with a side of mystery, and an easy read, this book is definitely for you
However, the ending really didn’t do it for me. Maybe if it had felt more present in the plot the whole time, but it was the one time in the arena, and then nothing, and then everything. Almost felt like a plot hole that needed to be filled so we just threw an ending in the book.
However, if you enjoy hockey romances with a side of mystery, and an easy read, this book is definitely for you
November 14, 2025
Beta read...This book was so FUN! Unhinged hockey player meets strong social media manager, hate to lovers, workplace/proximity drama and BANTER! Oh and the spice is spicing! Add this to your TBR STAT!
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5 🌟
Sweet Stake by Myra Bloom is a dislike-to-love, forbidden workplace romance with a very “everyone can see it but them” secret relationship. The tension? Absolutely tensioning. Like, top-tier eye contact, sharp banter, and that constant energy they're about to fight or make out energy.
For the first 30% of the book, I genuinely believed Ezra and Kaeli hated each other — and that’s honestly one of its biggest strengths. Watching that animosity slowly crack into something softer was satisfying, especially with how well-paced the buildup was… at least initially.
Kaeli, as an FMC, really stood out. A woman working in a male-dominated sports industry, constantly having to prove her worth, swallow discomfort, minimise herself, and stay quiet to survive? That part hit hard. The book does an unflinching job of showing how exhausting it is for women to exist in spaces where they’re always one mistake away from being dismissed. Reading how often Kaeli agrees to things that make her uncomfortable — out of fear of retaliation — was genuinely tough.
Ezra, on the other hand, is… complicated. His trauma and betrayal absolutely explain why he is the way he is, but explanation doesn’t equal excuse. The banter between them was sharp and fun at times, but it crossed the line more than once. They said cruel things to each other, casually, repeatedly — and the lack of real accountability made the “enemies to lovers” arc wobble for me. This wasn’t playful hatred; this was emotional damage with a side of attraction.
When they finally start turning toward each other, the emotional connection often gets overshadowed by physical chemistry. The attraction makes sense, but I wanted more conversations and fewer moments where sex felt like the shortcut around unresolved issues.
The pacing stayed solid for most of the book, but the final stretch lost me a bit. The plot twist didn’t land with the “holy shit” impact it was clearly aiming for, and the shift from smooth progression to slightly disjointed chaos was noticeable.
That said, the trauma exploration? Well done. Both characters are deeply shaped by betrayal, and the book effectively illustrates how this seeps into their relationships, communication, and self-worth.
Messy, tense, frustrating, and compelling in equal measure. I enjoyed it, I yelled at it, and I absolutely see why people would love it — but the cruelty disguised as banter and the rushed emotional resolution knocked it down a notch for me.
Sweet Stake by Myra Bloom is a dislike-to-love, forbidden workplace romance with a very “everyone can see it but them” secret relationship. The tension? Absolutely tensioning. Like, top-tier eye contact, sharp banter, and that constant energy they're about to fight or make out energy.
For the first 30% of the book, I genuinely believed Ezra and Kaeli hated each other — and that’s honestly one of its biggest strengths. Watching that animosity slowly crack into something softer was satisfying, especially with how well-paced the buildup was… at least initially.
Kaeli, as an FMC, really stood out. A woman working in a male-dominated sports industry, constantly having to prove her worth, swallow discomfort, minimise herself, and stay quiet to survive? That part hit hard. The book does an unflinching job of showing how exhausting it is for women to exist in spaces where they’re always one mistake away from being dismissed. Reading how often Kaeli agrees to things that make her uncomfortable — out of fear of retaliation — was genuinely tough.
Ezra, on the other hand, is… complicated. His trauma and betrayal absolutely explain why he is the way he is, but explanation doesn’t equal excuse. The banter between them was sharp and fun at times, but it crossed the line more than once. They said cruel things to each other, casually, repeatedly — and the lack of real accountability made the “enemies to lovers” arc wobble for me. This wasn’t playful hatred; this was emotional damage with a side of attraction.
When they finally start turning toward each other, the emotional connection often gets overshadowed by physical chemistry. The attraction makes sense, but I wanted more conversations and fewer moments where sex felt like the shortcut around unresolved issues.
The pacing stayed solid for most of the book, but the final stretch lost me a bit. The plot twist didn’t land with the “holy shit” impact it was clearly aiming for, and the shift from smooth progression to slightly disjointed chaos was noticeable.
That said, the trauma exploration? Well done. Both characters are deeply shaped by betrayal, and the book effectively illustrates how this seeps into their relationships, communication, and self-worth.
Messy, tense, frustrating, and compelling in equal measure. I enjoyed it, I yelled at it, and I absolutely see why people would love it — but the cruelty disguised as banter and the rushed emotional resolution knocked it down a notch for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ok, so respectfully...here comes my (brutally) honest opinion. This book is a 2/2,5 ⭐️ for me.
*might contain a spoiler*
After finishing I can conclude that this book just isn't my jam. I would never want to hurt or discourage an author, especially with their debut, but this book is rough. I'm very sorry towards the author about this review, but I truly mean what comes next respectfully and as honest feedback.
So overal the storyline is pretty good, enemies to lovers, forbidden romance and slowburning but it's not very original. As mentioned by others, there are some awkward sentences, but nothing truly hindering my reading that way. But the first time author situation shows.
The whole enemies to lovers is not really working, they are truly nasty to each other in more than 1 occasion. And when they start to turn around, everything is just physical and about s*x.
The MMC sucks. He is a big contradiction of walking red flags (quick to anger, dom and wanting to fix everything with his fists) and schoolboy (coming in his pants while dryhumping (no problem there) but then claiming that was the most sensual experience ever after having years of Puck bunnies... yeah not so believable). I'm sorry but also her constantly calling him a narcissist, as if it is a selling point. Girl NO!
The FMC is no better. Claiming to not be a sub at every chance but then running at his every beck and call. Wanting to be a strong, independent girl boss, but not doing anything when it comes to your parents situation, not filing an abuse /stalking to the police? Not standing up for yourself in many occasions, it just doesn't add up.
It was hard for me to connect with either of the MC'S, while there were a few scenes that I did truly like. The storyline felt a little blurred at places, the plot was very predictable and I honestly thing the last (abduction) part doesn't add anything to the story.
I truly think this story might have felt different if it were a paranormal story like a werewolf shifter. Then I would have expected most of the red flags and be more okay with them I guess.
I still very much want to thank the author for this ARC and hope you continue on to refine and improve your writing. The base is there, so never give up on your dreams!✌️
*might contain a spoiler*
After finishing I can conclude that this book just isn't my jam. I would never want to hurt or discourage an author, especially with their debut, but this book is rough. I'm very sorry towards the author about this review, but I truly mean what comes next respectfully and as honest feedback.
So overal the storyline is pretty good, enemies to lovers, forbidden romance and slowburning but it's not very original. As mentioned by others, there are some awkward sentences, but nothing truly hindering my reading that way. But the first time author situation shows.
The whole enemies to lovers is not really working, they are truly nasty to each other in more than 1 occasion. And when they start to turn around, everything is just physical and about s*x.
The MMC sucks. He is a big contradiction of walking red flags (quick to anger, dom and wanting to fix everything with his fists) and schoolboy (coming in his pants while dryhumping (no problem there) but then claiming that was the most sensual experience ever after having years of Puck bunnies... yeah not so believable). I'm sorry but also her constantly calling him a narcissist, as if it is a selling point. Girl NO!
The FMC is no better. Claiming to not be a sub at every chance but then running at his every beck and call. Wanting to be a strong, independent girl boss, but not doing anything when it comes to your parents situation, not filing an abuse /stalking to the police? Not standing up for yourself in many occasions, it just doesn't add up.
It was hard for me to connect with either of the MC'S, while there were a few scenes that I did truly like. The storyline felt a little blurred at places, the plot was very predictable and I honestly thing the last (abduction) part doesn't add anything to the story.
I truly think this story might have felt different if it were a paranormal story like a werewolf shifter. Then I would have expected most of the red flags and be more okay with them I guess.
I still very much want to thank the author for this ARC and hope you continue on to refine and improve your writing. The base is there, so never give up on your dreams!✌️
Review of advance copy
I recieved and advanced copy of this book from Book Funnel and the author for an honest review.
I have mixed feelings about this book.
On the one hand, I love a good hockey romance, and a lot of them are similar - I will be the first to admit that.
This one feels like it needed a lot of editing going in, or maybe too much editing and not enough checking on sentence structure and clarity. There were some confusing statements, confusing situations and a very fast ascent into action towards the last 15% of this book.
While I appreciate the action and the suspense of the plot twist, I felt like it came out of nowhere because it wasn't even mentioned in passing, other than a sense of unease and the FMC feeling someone was following her. I kind of figured something out by the sheer silence of the whole thing, and then subtle hints about trauma or the way she was dressed or what colours she wore. It left my head spinning.
I think there was a big disconnect, and as a reader, I was confused and not connecting with the FMC. She was mean, she was rude, and she wasn't at all interesting...something she admits herself throughout the whole book.
The MMC was a bit of a doormat when it came to Kaeli, and in all honesty, it is getting a bit of a tired trope. Mean FMC for no reason at all or for one incident, and a MMC who just sits and takes it.
The whole stalking plot felt rushed, and I didn't understand Jodie's motivation at all for her part in it. If someone can be swayed so easily into betraying her colleague, then that's just insane.
I am being generous in giving this a 3-star rating - but honestly, it's way closer to 2 for me, and I am sorry to give such a low score.
I really think it could benefit from a voice read to clean up the sentence structure and grammatical errors, but it is an ARC copy, so hopefully these will get sorted. The tenses of the sentences also changed from one paragraph to another - with present tense, then past tense, then a combo of both in the same sentence.
I have mixed feelings about this book.
On the one hand, I love a good hockey romance, and a lot of them are similar - I will be the first to admit that.
This one feels like it needed a lot of editing going in, or maybe too much editing and not enough checking on sentence structure and clarity. There were some confusing statements, confusing situations and a very fast ascent into action towards the last 15% of this book.
While I appreciate the action and the suspense of the plot twist, I felt like it came out of nowhere because it wasn't even mentioned in passing, other than a sense of unease and the FMC feeling someone was following her. I kind of figured something out by the sheer silence of the whole thing, and then subtle hints about trauma or the way she was dressed or what colours she wore. It left my head spinning.
I think there was a big disconnect, and as a reader, I was confused and not connecting with the FMC. She was mean, she was rude, and she wasn't at all interesting...something she admits herself throughout the whole book.
The MMC was a bit of a doormat when it came to Kaeli, and in all honesty, it is getting a bit of a tired trope. Mean FMC for no reason at all or for one incident, and a MMC who just sits and takes it.
The whole stalking plot felt rushed, and I didn't understand Jodie's motivation at all for her part in it. If someone can be swayed so easily into betraying her colleague, then that's just insane.
I am being generous in giving this a 3-star rating - but honestly, it's way closer to 2 for me, and I am sorry to give such a low score.
I really think it could benefit from a voice read to clean up the sentence structure and grammatical errors, but it is an ARC copy, so hopefully these will get sorted. The tenses of the sentences also changed from one paragraph to another - with present tense, then past tense, then a combo of both in the same sentence.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
ARC gifted in exchange for review
Please pay attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book.
This book was so unhinged I love that. Take an unhinged hockey, captain and throw in the beautiful sassy social media manager for his team who hates his guts and you’ve gotten makings of a wild enemies to lovers workplace romance. That is exactly what Myra gave us. The way that the two of them be heard and picked out each other you knew that they were going to do one of two things, they were either going to kill each other or rip each other’s clothes off and you never knew which one it was going to be. While I enjoyed some of their bickering, they both often times took it too far, and it was only when you read the other perspective that you realized why these comments made the other person react in the way that they did. Both Ezra and Kaeli have experienced a lot of trauma and betrayal from people around them, people who they trust trusted. This book put a spotlight on how trauma can shape the course of your life and your relationships. It also put a spotlight on some of the horrors that women in male dominated fields, such as sports have to contend with just to do their jobs. The number of times that Kaeli agreed to something that made her uncomfortable, took on things beyond her bandwidth, minimized herself to be more palatable, and kept silent as to not cause an issue out of fear of retaliation because women are held to a different standard, was hard to read. Though those parts were very difficult for me to read, they were very important to highlight and Myra did it well. The last couple of chapters were insane and I was literally shook. The spice was phenomenal. The sexual tension could be cut with a knife and the swoony bits left me giggling and kicking my feet. Overall, this was a really good enemies to lovers hockey romance, but I again caution you to pay special attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning for your own mental health.
Please pay attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book.
This book was so unhinged I love that. Take an unhinged hockey, captain and throw in the beautiful sassy social media manager for his team who hates his guts and you’ve gotten makings of a wild enemies to lovers workplace romance. That is exactly what Myra gave us. The way that the two of them be heard and picked out each other you knew that they were going to do one of two things, they were either going to kill each other or rip each other’s clothes off and you never knew which one it was going to be. While I enjoyed some of their bickering, they both often times took it too far, and it was only when you read the other perspective that you realized why these comments made the other person react in the way that they did. Both Ezra and Kaeli have experienced a lot of trauma and betrayal from people around them, people who they trust trusted. This book put a spotlight on how trauma can shape the course of your life and your relationships. It also put a spotlight on some of the horrors that women in male dominated fields, such as sports have to contend with just to do their jobs. The number of times that Kaeli agreed to something that made her uncomfortable, took on things beyond her bandwidth, minimized herself to be more palatable, and kept silent as to not cause an issue out of fear of retaliation because women are held to a different standard, was hard to read. Though those parts were very difficult for me to read, they were very important to highlight and Myra did it well. The last couple of chapters were insane and I was literally shook. The spice was phenomenal. The sexual tension could be cut with a knife and the swoony bits left me giggling and kicking my feet. Overall, this was a really good enemies to lovers hockey romance, but I again caution you to pay special attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning for your own mental health.
January 17, 2026
***Potential Spoilers Ahead***
I got this book as an ARC reader. This is this author’s debut novel. And it shows. The writing is a little rough and there are pretty odd phrases that I’m wondering if they are a dialogue issue. Such as instead of “leaving my hair down” she says “leaving my hair open”. Not an overall deal breaker but just a little weird to read. I had to read several sentences multiple times because my brain went “huh?”
However, with that being said. The story itself is pretty good. Lots of banter which I loved. Banter is my thing and she does it well. However there are a few things that ended up kind of cringey with the way they speak to each other and about each other. My BIGGEST annoyance, however, he calls her Feather and never tells her why! She literally asks him when they are going to meet her family and he tells her she’ll have to wait to find out and then HE NEVER TELLS HER! I also got second hand embarrassment when he threatened Kaeli’s brother. Thank goodness he actually does fell embarrassed when he discovered that he was actually her brother. I thought it hilarious that they made a bet on it.
There is a lot going on in this story. But it’s not so much that the story gets lost. The wildness at the end works but the resolution of it seemed rushed. Overall the story is good and there are some absolutely BEAUTIFUL descriptions. Like the description of loneliness that Ezra gives toward the beginning gave me chills. I know this is meant to be a series and hopefully the writing gets better as she goes.
I got this book as an ARC reader. This is this author’s debut novel. And it shows. The writing is a little rough and there are pretty odd phrases that I’m wondering if they are a dialogue issue. Such as instead of “leaving my hair down” she says “leaving my hair open”. Not an overall deal breaker but just a little weird to read. I had to read several sentences multiple times because my brain went “huh?”
However, with that being said. The story itself is pretty good. Lots of banter which I loved. Banter is my thing and she does it well. However there are a few things that ended up kind of cringey with the way they speak to each other and about each other. My BIGGEST annoyance, however, he calls her Feather and never tells her why! She literally asks him when they are going to meet her family and he tells her she’ll have to wait to find out and then HE NEVER TELLS HER! I also got second hand embarrassment when he threatened Kaeli’s brother. Thank goodness he actually does fell embarrassed when he discovered that he was actually her brother. I thought it hilarious that they made a bet on it.
There is a lot going on in this story. But it’s not so much that the story gets lost. The wildness at the end works but the resolution of it seemed rushed. Overall the story is good and there are some absolutely BEAUTIFUL descriptions. Like the description of loneliness that Ezra gives toward the beginning gave me chills. I know this is meant to be a series and hopefully the writing gets better as she goes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
Bickering never felt so good!
Kaeli Reed is dedicated to her job as social media manager for the Boston Bandits. She is fierce, independent and professional, but hides a secret from everyone.
Ezra Moore is the talented hockey player, captain of the Bandits. Even though he is portrayed as confident in and out of the ice, he hides his past scars that left him with a bruised heart and trusting issues.
Their first encounter is a disaster and fuels their hate relationship and their constant bickering for years.
But behind all of it hides a true connection and an undeniable chemistry and attraction.
Once they surrender to it, there is no going back.
Kaeli manages to knock down the walls around Ezra’s heart, but is still afraid to fully commit.
Sweep Stake is a beautiful romance with a lot of tension that explodes into true love. The way Ezra loves, protects and uplifts Kaeli will leave you swooning and wanting more.
Myra Bloom gives us a love story with banter, spice, fierce characters and a few nail-biting moments that only add to the depth of it.
You will laugh, cry and enjoy every minute of their bickering and making up.
Thank you for the ARC.
Kaeli Reed is dedicated to her job as social media manager for the Boston Bandits. She is fierce, independent and professional, but hides a secret from everyone.
Ezra Moore is the talented hockey player, captain of the Bandits. Even though he is portrayed as confident in and out of the ice, he hides his past scars that left him with a bruised heart and trusting issues.
Their first encounter is a disaster and fuels their hate relationship and their constant bickering for years.
But behind all of it hides a true connection and an undeniable chemistry and attraction.
Once they surrender to it, there is no going back.
Kaeli manages to knock down the walls around Ezra’s heart, but is still afraid to fully commit.
Sweep Stake is a beautiful romance with a lot of tension that explodes into true love. The way Ezra loves, protects and uplifts Kaeli will leave you swooning and wanting more.
Myra Bloom gives us a love story with banter, spice, fierce characters and a few nail-biting moments that only add to the depth of it.
You will laugh, cry and enjoy every minute of their bickering and making up.
Thank you for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
*ARC Review*
I really enjoyed the career‑driven arc here of Kaeli navigating a male‑dominated hockey environment while trying to build her own reputation. Watching her hold her own while still falling for a player felt believable and fun, especially with Ezra being the kind of grumpy guy who pushes all her buttons.
The push and pull between Kaeli and Ezra is where the story really got my attention. Their chemistry is electric from the start, and the mix of banter, tension, and slow building of trust kept me invested more than anything else.
What didn’t work as well for me was the added danger plotline near the end. It felt unnecessary and didn’t fully connect with the rest of the story. Also, the “my brother is famous and everyone uses me to get to him” thread also seemed like it was going to be a big emotional driver, but it ended up being a much smaller element than expected.
Overall, the romance and character dynamics are what I enjoyed most in the book. If you like workplace tension, a woman proving herself in a man’s world, and a solid secret workplace dating story, then this one delivers.
I really enjoyed the career‑driven arc here of Kaeli navigating a male‑dominated hockey environment while trying to build her own reputation. Watching her hold her own while still falling for a player felt believable and fun, especially with Ezra being the kind of grumpy guy who pushes all her buttons.
The push and pull between Kaeli and Ezra is where the story really got my attention. Their chemistry is electric from the start, and the mix of banter, tension, and slow building of trust kept me invested more than anything else.
What didn’t work as well for me was the added danger plotline near the end. It felt unnecessary and didn’t fully connect with the rest of the story. Also, the “my brother is famous and everyone uses me to get to him” thread also seemed like it was going to be a big emotional driver, but it ended up being a much smaller element than expected.
Overall, the romance and character dynamics are what I enjoyed most in the book. If you like workplace tension, a woman proving herself in a man’s world, and a solid secret workplace dating story, then this one delivers.
Review of advance copy
I waited a week to write this review because I struggled with how to articulate my thoughts on this book.
*****POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD*****
This book had great bones. Dislike-to-lovers and workplace romance tropes? Sign me up. The sexual tension between the two main characters was strong. They were constantly toeing the line between insulting each other and ripping each other’s clothes off. There were also some genuinely sweet moments (I especially loved the scene between the MMC and the young fan). I also appreciated the author highlighting how difficult it can be to be a woman in a male dominated field.
However, something was missing.
The writing felt a bit rough at times, and I think there were one too many plotlines (especially toward the end of the book). It was… a lot happening in fewer than 400 pages. Also, why did the MMC constantly call the FMC “feather”? Maybe that’s just a me thing, but I didn’t fully connect with the characters, which made it harder for me to stay immersed in the story.
If you decide to pick up this book, as always, please remember to check the trigger warnings.
Thank you to the author and Luna Literary for the ARC.
*****POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD*****
This book had great bones. Dislike-to-lovers and workplace romance tropes? Sign me up. The sexual tension between the two main characters was strong. They were constantly toeing the line between insulting each other and ripping each other’s clothes off. There were also some genuinely sweet moments (I especially loved the scene between the MMC and the young fan). I also appreciated the author highlighting how difficult it can be to be a woman in a male dominated field.
However, something was missing.
The writing felt a bit rough at times, and I think there were one too many plotlines (especially toward the end of the book). It was… a lot happening in fewer than 400 pages. Also, why did the MMC constantly call the FMC “feather”? Maybe that’s just a me thing, but I didn’t fully connect with the characters, which made it harder for me to stay immersed in the story.
If you decide to pick up this book, as always, please remember to check the trigger warnings.
Thank you to the author and Luna Literary for the ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
There are triggers so just have a look at those ❤️
I devoured this book in about 5/6 hours.
This is a dislike to love story with forbidden love, found family and a twist I did not see coming!!
Kaeli is an amazing FMC, she’s stubborn and feisty and dealing with the stress of being a woman in a male dominated industry, difficult family dynamics and workplace sexual harassment - leaving her with ongoing trauma, not helped by being stalked!!!
Ezra might not be my new book boyfriend but I still loved him. He is a stubborn, possessive and endearingly sweet man. He has his own past of being bullied and cheated on in a spectacular (not in a good way, but in a wow that girl didn’t hold back) way and it fuels a lot of his actions on and off the ice.
I loved the way @authormyrabloom writes, it feels like you are right there with them in their minds viewing things as they play out.
There were so many small things in this book I loved - one being the cactus!!
I need people to read this so I can talk about - please go pick it up so we can talk about Jodi!
I devoured this book in about 5/6 hours.
This is a dislike to love story with forbidden love, found family and a twist I did not see coming!!
Kaeli is an amazing FMC, she’s stubborn and feisty and dealing with the stress of being a woman in a male dominated industry, difficult family dynamics and workplace sexual harassment - leaving her with ongoing trauma, not helped by being stalked!!!
Ezra might not be my new book boyfriend but I still loved him. He is a stubborn, possessive and endearingly sweet man. He has his own past of being bullied and cheated on in a spectacular (not in a good way, but in a wow that girl didn’t hold back) way and it fuels a lot of his actions on and off the ice.
I loved the way @authormyrabloom writes, it feels like you are right there with them in their minds viewing things as they play out.
There were so many small things in this book I loved - one being the cactus!!
I need people to read this so I can talk about - please go pick it up so we can talk about Jodi!
January 19, 2026
Tropes
- Hockey Romance
- Enemies to Lovers
- No third-act breakup
- He falls first
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This was such a fun hockey romance read!
The banter and tension in this book was chef’s kiss.
Kaeli is such a strong female protagonist, and I loved how the book sheds light on what women face in male-dominated fields.
Ezra was such a great MMC. I love how he stood up for Kaeli but also listened when she asked him to hold off and let her stand up for herself.
Overall, I loved this book. However, I think the plot twist at the end threw me off slightly, and I felt it didn’t add anything to the book. I would’ve loved it more if it had been sprinkled throughout the book to foreshadow it.
Note: Please pay attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning of this book!
Thank you to Myra Bloom and her team for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
- Hockey Romance
- Enemies to Lovers
- No third-act breakup
- He falls first
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This was such a fun hockey romance read!
The banter and tension in this book was chef’s kiss.
Kaeli is such a strong female protagonist, and I loved how the book sheds light on what women face in male-dominated fields.
Ezra was such a great MMC. I love how he stood up for Kaeli but also listened when she asked him to hold off and let her stand up for herself.
Overall, I loved this book. However, I think the plot twist at the end threw me off slightly, and I felt it didn’t add anything to the book. I would’ve loved it more if it had been sprinkled throughout the book to foreshadow it.
Note: Please pay attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning of this book!
Thank you to Myra Bloom and her team for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Sweep Stake is one of those romances that sneaks up on you — easy to start, hard to put down. The pacing is smooth and intentional, letting the chemistry build naturally instead of relying on insta-attraction. The banter feels effortless, the emotional beats are well-timed, and the hockey setting adds texture without overwhelming the story.
What really worked for me were the characters. They feel human — flawed, ambitious, and quietly vulnerable — which made their dynamic feel authentic and satisfying. The prose is clean and engaging, striking a nice balance between playful and heartfelt, and the secondary characters give the story warmth and charm without stealing the spotlight.
While a few plot moments were familiar, the execution made them feel comforting rather than predictable. Overall, this was a cozy, feel-good romance with just the right amount of tension and heart — the kind of book that reminds you why slow burns are worth it.
What really worked for me were the characters. They feel human — flawed, ambitious, and quietly vulnerable — which made their dynamic feel authentic and satisfying. The prose is clean and engaging, striking a nice balance between playful and heartfelt, and the secondary characters give the story warmth and charm without stealing the spotlight.
While a few plot moments were familiar, the execution made them feel comforting rather than predictable. Overall, this was a cozy, feel-good romance with just the right amount of tension and heart — the kind of book that reminds you why slow burns are worth it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Really enjoyed this debut novel by Myra. It had just the right amount of tension, angst, bickering, insults, and yearning.
Ezra seems like the arrogant playboy hockey captain; but in reality is the sweetest, most attentive boyfriend who is always there for Kaeli. He is protective and stands up to anyone who wants to hurt her or make her feel anything but happy. Kaeli is a strong female who has worked hard for her career, but has insecurities that haunt her. Since their coffee-spill mishap meet cute, they go back and forth until they can't resist each other anymore.
Liked the mysterious side plot, but I could have liked more hints and buildup to it.
Overall, liked this one, and hoping to see a second installment of the couple that is hinted at.
Thank you to Myra Bloom for the ARC read, and I am giving my honest review.
Ezra seems like the arrogant playboy hockey captain; but in reality is the sweetest, most attentive boyfriend who is always there for Kaeli. He is protective and stands up to anyone who wants to hurt her or make her feel anything but happy. Kaeli is a strong female who has worked hard for her career, but has insecurities that haunt her. Since their coffee-spill mishap meet cute, they go back and forth until they can't resist each other anymore.
Liked the mysterious side plot, but I could have liked more hints and buildup to it.
Overall, liked this one, and hoping to see a second installment of the couple that is hinted at.
Thank you to Myra Bloom for the ARC read, and I am giving my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I love a good hockey romance and I really wanted to like this one, but unfortunately it fell very flat for me and I struggled to finish it.
The story itself has a lot of potential but Ezra was overly violent and quick to temper and Kaeli was incredibly mean and rude and for no good reason and I just couldn't connect with either of them
The ending seemed rushed and out of place and the nickname feather was weird and never explained.
There was some vocabulary and sentences structure that was confusing and I think the book could benifit from another edit and as I read the ARC and not the final version, hopefully this will happen
Thank you to the author for the ARC opportunity and I wish her all the success with her writing career
The story itself has a lot of potential but Ezra was overly violent and quick to temper and Kaeli was incredibly mean and rude and for no good reason and I just couldn't connect with either of them
The ending seemed rushed and out of place and the nickname feather was weird and never explained.
There was some vocabulary and sentences structure that was confusing and I think the book could benifit from another edit and as I read the ARC and not the final version, hopefully this will happen
Thank you to the author for the ARC opportunity and I wish her all the success with her writing career
January 16, 2026
Guys. We love a redhead FMC. At least, this ginger does. 🧡👩🦰 Kaeli is ambitious, smart, and I loved watching her finally step into something that’s hers. Ezra is the broody, closed-off hockey captain who pretends he doesn’t care… until he absolutely does. Their banter is sharp, the tension is constant, and the we really shouldn’t be doing this energy is chef’s kiss.
There’s career pressure, secret romance drama, and just enough danger to keep things interesting without overpowering the love story. If you love hockey romances with good chemistry, protective MMCs, and a strong, badass woman chasing her own goals, this one is an easy binge.👌
Tropes:
💥 Enemies to lovers
🤫 Secret romance
🏒 Hockey romance
🔥 Forced proximity
💼 Career vs love
🖤 Broody MMC
There’s career pressure, secret romance drama, and just enough danger to keep things interesting without overpowering the love story. If you love hockey romances with good chemistry, protective MMCs, and a strong, badass woman chasing her own goals, this one is an easy binge.👌
Tropes:
💥 Enemies to lovers
🤫 Secret romance
🏒 Hockey romance
🔥 Forced proximity
💼 Career vs love
🖤 Broody MMC
January 18, 2026
3.5/5 ⭐️
Thank you so much to the author and Luna Literary for an ARC copy of this book!
Sweep Stake is dislike-to-lovers romance between Boston Bandits captain Ezra and the team's social media manager Kaeli. This was a fun read! It's filled with great banter, tension, and chemistry. And a great "f- it" moment. I would've rated this one 4 stars, but I didn't care for the sort of plot twist that happened in the last few chapters. Personally, I didn't think it added much to the story and that Kaeli's personal struggles as a woman in sports were enough to make her a strong character.
Overall, still an entertaining + easy read. Great for fans of sports romances!
Thank you so much to the author and Luna Literary for an ARC copy of this book!
Sweep Stake is dislike-to-lovers romance between Boston Bandits captain Ezra and the team's social media manager Kaeli. This was a fun read! It's filled with great banter, tension, and chemistry. And a great "f- it" moment. I would've rated this one 4 stars, but I didn't care for the sort of plot twist that happened in the last few chapters. Personally, I didn't think it added much to the story and that Kaeli's personal struggles as a woman in sports were enough to make her a strong character.
Overall, still an entertaining + easy read. Great for fans of sports romances!
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
I had the privilege of ARC-reading Sweep Stake by Myra Bloom, and I’m officially hooked on enemies-to-lovers thanks to Kaeli and Ezra. Their electric tension and razor-sharp banter simmer into a seriously steamy payoff. As a newer reader of hockey romance this past year, I love how fiercely obsessive the men are about their women and how tightly knit the team is — a found family who literally faces life-or-death situations together. Between the chemistry, saucy banter, emotion, and a bit of suspense, this was a fantastic read. Thank you, Myra, for the early read — can’t wait for more from the Boston Bandits!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was lucky enough to receive an arc of this book and wow!! This is an amazing debut romance, the story and the characters were so well done. The tension and banter between Kaeli and Ezra was phenomenal and had me blushing at times and I loved how their relationship unfolded. There’s a plot twist at the end that I really did not see coming and it had me clutching my kindle to my chest and hoping for the best. If you’re looking for a cute hockey romance I highly suggest adding Sweep Stake to your tbr!
*Thank you Myra Bloom for allowing me to read an early copy of this book in exchange for my honest review*
*Thank you Myra Bloom for allowing me to read an early copy of this book in exchange for my honest review*
Review of advance copy
I love getting the chance to read books early, especially ones that draw me in right away.
Sweep Stake gave me banter, love, hockey and stalking all rolled into one. Literally all of my favorite things. (Especially the banter) 😉
I love a feisty FMC; it makes the story evolve. Theee is nothing worse than one that hides in the background and plays victim, and thank GOD Kaeli was the feisty type.
Ezra gave me what I needed as far as an MMC goes. Loving, kind, not afraid to give the bickering right back.
I would 100% read another book by Myra!
Sweep Stake gave me banter, love, hockey and stalking all rolled into one. Literally all of my favorite things. (Especially the banter) 😉
I love a feisty FMC; it makes the story evolve. Theee is nothing worse than one that hides in the background and plays victim, and thank GOD Kaeli was the feisty type.
Ezra gave me what I needed as far as an MMC goes. Loving, kind, not afraid to give the bickering right back.
I would 100% read another book by Myra!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Stolen glances, heated banter, and an I-hate-you energy every time they’re in the same room - this is the kind of deliciously tense dynamic that defines the FMC and MMC. Their interactions crackle with emotion, pulling you into every moment they share. What truly elevates the story is how layered and human both characters feel: their personalities, their ambitions, and the conflicts surrounding them add real depth and make the twists genuinely unexpected. Overall, it’s an enjoyable read.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this in advance.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this in advance.
Review of advance copy
Who doesn't love an enemies to lovers hockey romance???
Ezra is a star hockey player with the stats, looks, and overall confidence to back it up.
Kaeli is a PR genius who has earned her place on the table of the hockey team and the only thing that she doesn't love is that after her run in with Ezra... he continues to be the pain that just won't stop.
After years of keeping each other away and one drunken night.... the thoughts of. maybe they don't hate each other as much as they thought sneak up BUT can either one of them survive their past to make this work?
Ezra is a star hockey player with the stats, looks, and overall confidence to back it up.
Kaeli is a PR genius who has earned her place on the table of the hockey team and the only thing that she doesn't love is that after her run in with Ezra... he continues to be the pain that just won't stop.
After years of keeping each other away and one drunken night.... the thoughts of. maybe they don't hate each other as much as they thought sneak up BUT can either one of them survive their past to make this work?
Review of advance copy received from Author
First of omg! This book takes you through all the emotions! Ezra & Kaeli think each of them hates each other. How wrong they were. This book takes you through all their ups and downs. Dealing with past traumas & new love. Ezra stands up for her and protects her with a fierceness that everyone deserves to find. The last few chapters were an absolute whirlwind of emotions! I did not expect things to escalate to that level! Such a good boo
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
ARC Review
LOVED. Absolutely loved. I am a sucker for enimies to lovers. And this is exactly what that story was. There was so much banter. There was lust and passion and so much care. I absolutely loved this book. I felt like I was experiencing everything with the characters. It was written perfectly. Although we never found out the reasoning for his nickname. I loved the characters so much and felt all their feelings and heartache.
LOVED. Absolutely loved. I am a sucker for enimies to lovers. And this is exactly what that story was. There was so much banter. There was lust and passion and so much care. I absolutely loved this book. I felt like I was experiencing everything with the characters. It was written perfectly. Although we never found out the reasoning for his nickname. I loved the characters so much and felt all their feelings and heartache.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review
The story is sweet, though it wasn’t a hit with me.
Enemies to lovers, and they’re downright nasty to each other.
There were moments where they seemed to really freak out at each other over nothing, which confused me.
There was some vocabulary and sentence structure that had me wondering how well it had been written/edited.
I wouldn’t re-read this or strongly suggest it to my friends, but it was a good fluffy read.
The story is sweet, though it wasn’t a hit with me.
Enemies to lovers, and they’re downright nasty to each other.
There were moments where they seemed to really freak out at each other over nothing, which confused me.
There was some vocabulary and sentence structure that had me wondering how well it had been written/edited.
I wouldn’t re-read this or strongly suggest it to my friends, but it was a good fluffy read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5 stars. An overall good book with good characters to get behind. Loe the banter and the chemistry of the MCs, but wished the timeline was a little more clear. The first part of the book seemed to drag a little and left me lacking in interest to read, but the last 1/4 of the book was captivating and I didn't want to put it down. Would have loved a more in depth ending, but overall would recommend this book.
*Received this book as an ARC.
*Received this book as an ARC.
January 19, 2026
This was such an amazing read! I love a good hockey romance and this one had everything I love! Dislike to love, found family, workplace romance, and forbidden hidden relationship. I couldn’t put it down! The banter, the laughs, the tears, and the omg moments! Myra didn’t just write a spicy hockey romance she gave us a story of love, heartbreak, and also touched on the harder subjects! I feel in love with Kaeli and Ezra. I highly recommend and hope you do as well!
Review of advance copy
Mixed views on this it was ok but I don’t like how nasty the two main characters are too each other at the start it was very off putting as it didnt make sense why she was so vile to him for spilling coffee on her so I got about half way through and put it down and struggling to pick it back up. The nickname feather as well is just weird and there is no explanation of why that nickname is used either
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2026
Im in love!! I read this in one day!! Im obsessed!! So so good!! I definitely stayed up way to late to finish but i just couldn’t stop reading. The relationship between KAELI and EZRA really loved it watching that play out!! I definitely recommend. You have to read this!!
What you will find inside this book:
Hockey Romance
Workplace Romance
Found Family
Banter
Dislike to Love
Forced proximity
Forbidden Romance
Social Media Manager x Captain
What you will find inside this book:
Hockey Romance
Workplace Romance
Found Family
Banter
Dislike to Love
Forced proximity
Forbidden Romance
Social Media Manager x Captain
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