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Evergreen Cove #1
Offside for Christmas
When NHL bad boy Cole Hansen gets exiled to Christmas Town, USA—population 4,200, Christmas excessive—the last thing he expects is to fall for Ellie Winters, the town's relentlessly optimistic physical therapist.
She's got six weeks to heal his shoulder. He's got six weeks to convince her that the grumpy guy who hates Christmas might just be worth keeping.
Cole Hansen's life is imploding.
A viral bar fight video. A career-ending shoulder injury he's hiding with painkillers. And a one-way ticket to Evergreen Cove, Vermont—the most aggressively festive town in America.
Six weeks playing minor league hockey in a place where Christmas isn't a holiday, it's a competitive sport.
Keep his head down. Heal up. Get back to the NHL. Easy.
Except nothing about Evergreen Cove is easy.
Ellie Winters believes in second chances.
She loves her small town, adores the holidays, and has built a life helping people heal. When a surly, injured hockey player walks into her clinic radiating "leave me alone" energy, she should keep it professional.
She really, really should.
But Cole Hansen isn't just another patient. Behind the sarcasm and scowls, she sees someone who's forgotten what home feels like. Someone who's convinced he doesn't deserve to stay.
Someone she's dangerously close to falling for.
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Heat Steamy. Contains intimate love scenes and adult language.
Perfect for readers who love cozy holiday vibes with spice!
💙 A small-town Christmas hockey romance about grumpy heroes who learn to feel feelings, sunshine heroines who refuse to give up on broken things, and finding home in the most unexpected places.
Perfect for fans of Sarina Bowen's hockey romances and Lucy Score's small-town love stories.
TROPES READERS
🏒 Hockey Romance
❤️ Grumpy/Sunshine
🎄 Christmas Romance
🏘️ Small Town
👫 Forced Proximity
💪 Physical Therapist/Patient
🤝 Found Family
📖 Dual POV
🌶️ Spice 3/4
🎁 Guaranteed HEA
Steamy romance (spice level 3/4) Strong language Themes of injury recovery and past painkiller use (resolved positively) HEA guaranteed
She's got six weeks to heal his shoulder. He's got six weeks to convince her that the grumpy guy who hates Christmas might just be worth keeping.
Cole Hansen's life is imploding.
A viral bar fight video. A career-ending shoulder injury he's hiding with painkillers. And a one-way ticket to Evergreen Cove, Vermont—the most aggressively festive town in America.
Six weeks playing minor league hockey in a place where Christmas isn't a holiday, it's a competitive sport.
Keep his head down. Heal up. Get back to the NHL. Easy.
Except nothing about Evergreen Cove is easy.
Ellie Winters believes in second chances.
She loves her small town, adores the holidays, and has built a life helping people heal. When a surly, injured hockey player walks into her clinic radiating "leave me alone" energy, she should keep it professional.
She really, really should.
But Cole Hansen isn't just another patient. Behind the sarcasm and scowls, she sees someone who's forgotten what home feels like. Someone who's convinced he doesn't deserve to stay.
Someone she's dangerously close to falling for.
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Heat Steamy. Contains intimate love scenes and adult language.
Perfect for readers who love cozy holiday vibes with spice!
💙 A small-town Christmas hockey romance about grumpy heroes who learn to feel feelings, sunshine heroines who refuse to give up on broken things, and finding home in the most unexpected places.
Perfect for fans of Sarina Bowen's hockey romances and Lucy Score's small-town love stories.
TROPES READERS
🏒 Hockey Romance
❤️ Grumpy/Sunshine
🎄 Christmas Romance
🏘️ Small Town
👫 Forced Proximity
💪 Physical Therapist/Patient
🤝 Found Family
📖 Dual POV
🌶️ Spice 3/4
🎁 Guaranteed HEA
Steamy romance (spice level 3/4) Strong language Themes of injury recovery and past painkiller use (resolved positively) HEA guaranteed
292 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 10, 2025
89 people are currently reading
258 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
November 1, 2025
I just finished reading Offside for Christmas and WOW — this book was everything: wholesome, heartfelt, and beautifully written. I found myself totally immersed in the characters’ lives. The emotional moments hit hard (yes, part of me was crying), and the banter between Cole and Ellie leaps off the page. Cole’s grumpy-on-the-outside but soft-inside hero, Ellie’s warm, witty spirit-— together they made me laugh, feel, and root for them so deeply. If you’re after a romance that balances sweet, real-life struggles and holiday magic, this is it.
October 29, 2025
I’m a sucker for hockey romances, grumpy/sunshine trope and all wrapped up at Christmas. I loved this charming story of a an angry, injured and emotionally broken hockey player who meets his match in PT Ellie. The banter between the two is fab.
I highly recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I highly recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 7, 2025
Cole Hansen… lord help me. The grumpy NHL bad boy who thinks he’s too broken for love? Yeah, I fell for him instantly. He’s prickly and sarcastic and trying so hard to hold himself together, and every time Ellie pushed through those walls, I swear I could feel it. The tension, the care, the slow softening—it was perfection.
And Ellie! Literal sunshine in human form. She’s patient and kind but not a pushover—she challenges him, calls him out, and still manages to make him believe he deserves more. Their chemistry was off the charts, but it’s the emotional pull that got me. The way she helps him heal—not just physically, but from all that guilt and loneliness? Ugh. I was done for.
The setting was ridiculously adorable. Evergreen Cove is like the Hallmark Christmas town of my dreams, but with the kind of steam and heart those movies wish they had. The found family, the small-town gossip, the ridiculous festive chaos—it all just worked.
This book gave me everything: banter that made me laugh, spice that made me blush, and moments that made my chest ache in the best way. If you love a grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, small-town hockey romance with genuine heart and healing—this is it. I devoured it.
Brooklyn Hart, you have officially ruined me for all other Christmas romances. 🎄💋⛸️
And Ellie! Literal sunshine in human form. She’s patient and kind but not a pushover—she challenges him, calls him out, and still manages to make him believe he deserves more. Their chemistry was off the charts, but it’s the emotional pull that got me. The way she helps him heal—not just physically, but from all that guilt and loneliness? Ugh. I was done for.
The setting was ridiculously adorable. Evergreen Cove is like the Hallmark Christmas town of my dreams, but with the kind of steam and heart those movies wish they had. The found family, the small-town gossip, the ridiculous festive chaos—it all just worked.
This book gave me everything: banter that made me laugh, spice that made me blush, and moments that made my chest ache in the best way. If you love a grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, small-town hockey romance with genuine heart and healing—this is it. I devoured it.
Brooklyn Hart, you have officially ruined me for all other Christmas romances. 🎄💋⛸️
November 14, 2025
Hallmark christmas movie with spice….. ❤️
This book pulled me in from the beginning. I can't resist a hockey romance, grumpy x sunshine, and I swoon with the “he falls first” trope.
Its a touch of Christmas magic all wrapped up in a small-town setting. This book was everything - wholesome, heartfelt, and left me wanting more.
If you love hallmark Christmas movies then this is the book you will want to read this Christmas!!!! I loved it!
Thank you to Brooklyn Hart for providing an ARC of Offside for Christmas! 🎄I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book pulled me in from the beginning. I can't resist a hockey romance, grumpy x sunshine, and I swoon with the “he falls first” trope.
Its a touch of Christmas magic all wrapped up in a small-town setting. This book was everything - wholesome, heartfelt, and left me wanting more.
If you love hallmark Christmas movies then this is the book you will want to read this Christmas!!!! I loved it!
Thank you to Brooklyn Hart for providing an ARC of Offside for Christmas! 🎄I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 6, 2025
This book has it all – hockey, romance, and Christmas magic! It's the perfect blend of sweetness and heart, giving you all the feels. I'm beyond excited to dive into Mac and Rachel's story next!
November 6, 2025
Cole and Ellie 🥰
Cole Hansen is a hockey player in the NHL for the Chicago Blackhawk. After a video went viral on the internet of him beating 3 men outside a bar, that left him with a shoulder injury, he was sent to Evergreen Cove, Vermont. In the ECHL, minor league. For two reasons, get him back from the injury and to make him disappear until the storm calms down. First 6 weeks, for the Eagles.
Evergreen Cove is a town of 4000 people but in the Christmas season, when the festival is held, over 50 000 visitors are expected. Cole hates Christmas. Christmas trees, Christmas lights, Christmas everything. It’s worse nightmare…
Until he meets Ellie. Noelle Winters. His new PT. She believes in the Christmas spirit and is part in many comities to the festival. But Ellie knows Cole is lying about his injury and she won’t let him fool her. He is in great pain and knows how to treat him, if he let her.
First book of Brooklyn Hart. I don’t usually read hockey romance novels but I’m Canadian and it’s hockey 😍 And I was happily surprised !!! I love grumpy/sunshine trope and this one is a very good example. Cole is the perfect grumpy character and Ellie is the sunshine in everyone life !! She will tear down every walls he has built and in the process will make him more human , more emotional and more powerful. Her writing is beautifully done and it’s a very slow burn and she nailed it perfectly!! I feel in love with Cole and Ellie after a few chapters. And the secondary characters?? They are funny, joyful and know how to make someone welcomed in their little town. I really enjoyed reading this story and I hope more will follow. There are many hockey players left single 😍
If you want to just sit back and read a beautiful love story, i highly recommend this author.
5⭐️
Cole Hansen is a hockey player in the NHL for the Chicago Blackhawk. After a video went viral on the internet of him beating 3 men outside a bar, that left him with a shoulder injury, he was sent to Evergreen Cove, Vermont. In the ECHL, minor league. For two reasons, get him back from the injury and to make him disappear until the storm calms down. First 6 weeks, for the Eagles.
Evergreen Cove is a town of 4000 people but in the Christmas season, when the festival is held, over 50 000 visitors are expected. Cole hates Christmas. Christmas trees, Christmas lights, Christmas everything. It’s worse nightmare…
Until he meets Ellie. Noelle Winters. His new PT. She believes in the Christmas spirit and is part in many comities to the festival. But Ellie knows Cole is lying about his injury and she won’t let him fool her. He is in great pain and knows how to treat him, if he let her.
First book of Brooklyn Hart. I don’t usually read hockey romance novels but I’m Canadian and it’s hockey 😍 And I was happily surprised !!! I love grumpy/sunshine trope and this one is a very good example. Cole is the perfect grumpy character and Ellie is the sunshine in everyone life !! She will tear down every walls he has built and in the process will make him more human , more emotional and more powerful. Her writing is beautifully done and it’s a very slow burn and she nailed it perfectly!! I feel in love with Cole and Ellie after a few chapters. And the secondary characters?? They are funny, joyful and know how to make someone welcomed in their little town. I really enjoyed reading this story and I hope more will follow. There are many hockey players left single 😍
If you want to just sit back and read a beautiful love story, i highly recommend this author.
5⭐️
November 10, 2025
If you love books that give you small town Hallmark Christmas vibes, forced proximity, grumpy shine romances with hockey this book is for you!
Cole and Ellie are the ultimate grumpy sunshine romance story that you don’t want to put down. I literally read this in one sitting because it was such an amazing story!
Thank you to Brooklyn Hart for allowing me to read this amazing ARC copy of this festive, hockey romance!
Cole and Ellie are the ultimate grumpy sunshine romance story that you don’t want to put down. I literally read this in one sitting because it was such an amazing story!
Thank you to Brooklyn Hart for allowing me to read this amazing ARC copy of this festive, hockey romance!
November 6, 2025
I really enjoyed this book! Watching the character development of Cole was so hartwarming to see. The way that Ellie was able to break through his rough exterior so that everyone could see him the ways she saw him was honestly perfect. The perfect love story set in the cutest Christmas town, just in time for the holiday season
November 5, 2025
I loved that the book was realistic about having to choose between success and love. Having to balance those two has been hard for me and I loved that it worked out for the characters!!! pick up your copy today`
November 6, 2025
Oh, I really wanted to like this book. I truly did.
And the plot line had so much potential. Grumpy hockey player gets sent to the minor leagues following an injury. In a Christmas town. There he meets his sunshine PT.
But the writing was just not great.
•The entire book was soooo repetitive; the characters literally say the same exact things MULTIPLE times. It was like beating a dead horse. (First we have about 50% of the book being the FMC whining about not wanting the hockey player to leave her like the last one did, the other 50% was the MMC praising the FMC for saving his entire life)
•There are continuity errors throughout.
•characters lacked any depth. You never got the feeling that the existing team was incredibly close because there was evidence. It was like it was put out there and you just had to accept that as fact. Even the romance came literally out of nowhere. There was one little push and pull moment; but then it was like, we are clearly meant to be together and everyone agrees.
• plot lines were left for dead with simple one line statements. The entire ending drama was summed up with an “it’s over” and that was it. No big climactic moment. No real threat.
The authors note says she wrote this in 4 months. Sadly, I think it could have used a lot more time in refining and editing. Which is sad because it had so much potential.
⭐️⭐️
📖: arc team
And the plot line had so much potential. Grumpy hockey player gets sent to the minor leagues following an injury. In a Christmas town. There he meets his sunshine PT.
But the writing was just not great.
•The entire book was soooo repetitive; the characters literally say the same exact things MULTIPLE times. It was like beating a dead horse. (First we have about 50% of the book being the FMC whining about not wanting the hockey player to leave her like the last one did, the other 50% was the MMC praising the FMC for saving his entire life)
•There are continuity errors throughout.
•characters lacked any depth. You never got the feeling that the existing team was incredibly close because there was evidence. It was like it was put out there and you just had to accept that as fact. Even the romance came literally out of nowhere. There was one little push and pull moment; but then it was like, we are clearly meant to be together and everyone agrees.
• plot lines were left for dead with simple one line statements. The entire ending drama was summed up with an “it’s over” and that was it. No big climactic moment. No real threat.
The authors note says she wrote this in 4 months. Sadly, I think it could have used a lot more time in refining and editing. Which is sad because it had so much potential.
⭐️⭐️
📖: arc team
November 13, 2025
Offside for Christmas is another small town I’d love to move to ASAP, thank you very much! Set during the Xmas holiday, grumpy bad boy, Cole, loses his place in the NHL and is sent down to minors to work through an injury with PT Noelle. Think of this as a twist on a Hallmark Christmas movie because I sure did as I was reading. I will say it was very sweet with a low angst profile, which I love to pepper in between the harder stuff. Beginning of a series we meet Mac who book 2 seems to be going to be about. Definitely a good start to my Christmas season reads!!
Thanks to BookSirens for this ARC, the opinions as always are my own.
Thanks to BookSirens for this ARC, the opinions as always are my own.
November 28, 2025
I just need a couple of words to sum up this review. THE BANTER. The banter!
I can't stop thinking about Ellie and Cole and they way they spoke to each other. Literal Chef's kiss. The amount of times I smirked or laughed at what they said should be criminal. Some of my favourite lines ever are coming from this book, and the way the plot tugged at my heartstrings was insane. You know you're completely and utterly into a book when you're disappointed to have to re-join your actual life. In my opinion, this book was too short. It's not. It's the perfect length for a book, I'm just being greedy and I want more. I need more! But, I'll wait patiently for the second book to come out (Jan 2026 at the time of writing this).
Everyone needs to know about this book, and if anyone wants to talk to me about it, well, they can find me in Evergreen Cove.
I can't stop thinking about Ellie and Cole and they way they spoke to each other. Literal Chef's kiss. The amount of times I smirked or laughed at what they said should be criminal. Some of my favourite lines ever are coming from this book, and the way the plot tugged at my heartstrings was insane. You know you're completely and utterly into a book when you're disappointed to have to re-join your actual life. In my opinion, this book was too short. It's not. It's the perfect length for a book, I'm just being greedy and I want more. I need more! But, I'll wait patiently for the second book to come out (Jan 2026 at the time of writing this).
Everyone needs to know about this book, and if anyone wants to talk to me about it, well, they can find me in Evergreen Cove.
November 23, 2025
The beginning of the Evergreen Cove series is excellent. It introduces NHL player Cole Hansen, exiled to Evergreen Cove, Vermont. There, he meets Ellie Winters, a cheerful physical therapist. Cole is dealing with a viral bar fight video and a hidden, career-ending shoulder injury. Ellie, believing in second chances, sees through his tough exterior to a man who has lost his way. This Christmas story is well-written, with a compelling plot, strong characters, and a happy ending. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 22, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
“The town looked like Christmas had vomited all over it, then came back for a second round just to be sure.”
Book Review: Offside for Christmas by Brooklyn Hart is a funny, moderately spicy, cozy romance with all of the Hallmark movie feels. Hockey star Cole learned the hard way that no good deed goes unpunished. His NHL career ended when a video of him in what looked like a bar brawl went viral. The truth of what he sacrificed and what he was protecting that night remained a secret.
His life derailed even further after a severe shoulder injury, a developing addiction to painkillers, and being traded to the local team of a small town in Vermont. The last thing Cole expected to find was a fiery physical therapist with a steadfast love for healing and holiday decorations. Ellie had her own healing from fears of abandonment before she could fully trust Cole.
This story is heavily character driven. It was easy to fall in love with Cole from just reading the first 20% of the book. There’s depth to Cole’s cynical grumpiness. Both MCs are communicative and mature. Though the third act breakup from a lack of communication frustrated me a bit. It felt slightly uncharacteristic of the MCs to not talk things out when they’ve been discussing their feelings openly throughout the book despite their respective insecurities.
Luckily, the third act breakup was not drawn out in a melodramatic fashion. Once it was resolved, the story was back on its sweet, heartwarming, low-stakes Christmas track.
There are two open door scenes that aren’t particularly long or overly explicit.
Thank you so much to the author and @booksirens for this ARC!
“The town looked like Christmas had vomited all over it, then came back for a second round just to be sure.”
Book Review: Offside for Christmas by Brooklyn Hart is a funny, moderately spicy, cozy romance with all of the Hallmark movie feels. Hockey star Cole learned the hard way that no good deed goes unpunished. His NHL career ended when a video of him in what looked like a bar brawl went viral. The truth of what he sacrificed and what he was protecting that night remained a secret.
His life derailed even further after a severe shoulder injury, a developing addiction to painkillers, and being traded to the local team of a small town in Vermont. The last thing Cole expected to find was a fiery physical therapist with a steadfast love for healing and holiday decorations. Ellie had her own healing from fears of abandonment before she could fully trust Cole.
This story is heavily character driven. It was easy to fall in love with Cole from just reading the first 20% of the book. There’s depth to Cole’s cynical grumpiness. Both MCs are communicative and mature. Though the third act breakup from a lack of communication frustrated me a bit. It felt slightly uncharacteristic of the MCs to not talk things out when they’ve been discussing their feelings openly throughout the book despite their respective insecurities.
Luckily, the third act breakup was not drawn out in a melodramatic fashion. Once it was resolved, the story was back on its sweet, heartwarming, low-stakes Christmas track.
There are two open door scenes that aren’t particularly long or overly explicit.
Thank you so much to the author and @booksirens for this ARC!
November 24, 2025
⭐ Rating: 5/5
Offside by Brooklyn Hart was everything I want in a sports romance and then some. I’m already a sucker for anything set on the ice, but this one hooked me from the very first chapter and didn’t let go. The mix of high-energy sports moments, emotional depth, and addictive chemistry made this such a fun and satisfying read.
This book has so many of my favorite tropes, and Hart delivers them perfectly:
🏒 Sports romance
🔥 Enemies-to-lovers tension
📚 Academic/smart heroine + elite athlete hero
💥 Forced proximity & undeniable chemistry
❤️ Slow-burn that hits hard when it ignites
The characters had such distinct voices that every interaction felt real. I loved watching them push each other, challenge each other, and slowly fall into something more. The banter was sharp in all the right ways, the emotional moments landed beautifully, and the hockey scenes were vivid enough that I could practically hear the skate blades cutting across the ice.
What stood out most for me was the heart beneath the heat. There’s a theme of growth—both personal and professional—that made the romance feel earned. And the heroine? Absolute perfection. Strong, driven, smart, and not willing to let the hero skate past accountability. Their dynamic felt balanced and layered, and by the end, I was completely invested in their HEA.
This was a five-star read all the way for me—fun, emotional, sporty, and deeply romantic.
Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
If Brooklyn Hart keeps writing sports romances like this, I’ll be first in line every time.
Offside by Brooklyn Hart was everything I want in a sports romance and then some. I’m already a sucker for anything set on the ice, but this one hooked me from the very first chapter and didn’t let go. The mix of high-energy sports moments, emotional depth, and addictive chemistry made this such a fun and satisfying read.
This book has so many of my favorite tropes, and Hart delivers them perfectly:
🏒 Sports romance
🔥 Enemies-to-lovers tension
📚 Academic/smart heroine + elite athlete hero
💥 Forced proximity & undeniable chemistry
❤️ Slow-burn that hits hard when it ignites
The characters had such distinct voices that every interaction felt real. I loved watching them push each other, challenge each other, and slowly fall into something more. The banter was sharp in all the right ways, the emotional moments landed beautifully, and the hockey scenes were vivid enough that I could practically hear the skate blades cutting across the ice.
What stood out most for me was the heart beneath the heat. There’s a theme of growth—both personal and professional—that made the romance feel earned. And the heroine? Absolute perfection. Strong, driven, smart, and not willing to let the hero skate past accountability. Their dynamic felt balanced and layered, and by the end, I was completely invested in their HEA.
This was a five-star read all the way for me—fun, emotional, sporty, and deeply romantic.
Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
If Brooklyn Hart keeps writing sports romances like this, I’ll be first in line every time.
November 16, 2025
Wow, for a debut novel this book is amazingly well written. It gave me all the feels, laughter, tears, anger (at Derek Matthews). I’m a bit of a sucker for a grumpy/sunshine, hockey romance, so this was right up my street.
Ellie and Cole were perfect together and the side characters were great too (can’t wait for Mac’s story).
I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who loves small town, grumpy/sunshine and/or hockey romance.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Ellie and Cole were perfect together and the side characters were great too (can’t wait for Mac’s story).
I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who loves small town, grumpy/sunshine and/or hockey romance.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 23, 2025
Well this was unexpectedly cute. I was expecting your normal small town sports romance. And yes it hit all the tropes I ever wanted, with perfection. Page 226…I was sobbing and wish this was true for real life, for someone to make that giant speech to convey everything you could ever want.
The plot was perfection; no notes. It was natural, well paced, and I loved the dual POVs (I’m a sucker for these). I now need to read a book about each player in the team.
This is a short one because all the things I want to say would spoil it.
The plot was perfection; no notes. It was natural, well paced, and I loved the dual POVs (I’m a sucker for these). I now need to read a book about each player in the team.
This is a short one because all the things I want to say would spoil it.
November 18, 2025
I had sooo much fun reading, that I didn't want to end.
Laugh and cried with them.
Cole and Ellie has my heart along with Mac 🥰
Laugh and cried with them.
Cole and Ellie has my heart along with Mac 🥰
December 30, 2025
Cute, sweet, happy romance. Honestly loved the main couple and them fighting for both each other and themselves. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it an easy, fun read for the winter!!
I do wish we had some more sneaking around and less everyone knowing they’re dating before they even knew they were dating, but I guess that comes with the whole small town thing where everyone knows everyone and everything. The main gripe though was the fact that Ellie never ended up compromising or willing to risk anything. I understand she did what she did and it was still cute and all (I’m trying not to spoil) but I mean Cole put himself on the line. He offered to compromise and she just wouldn’t and I wish she would have maybe in the end thought about it or at least brought up the possibility and then him turning it down or something, yk?
Overall though cute romance and I might read Mac’s story next, we’ll see!
I do wish we had some more sneaking around and less everyone knowing they’re dating before they even knew they were dating, but I guess that comes with the whole small town thing where everyone knows everyone and everything. The main gripe though was the fact that Ellie never ended up compromising or willing to risk anything. I understand she did what she did and it was still cute and all (I’m trying not to spoil) but I mean Cole put himself on the line. He offered to compromise and she just wouldn’t and I wish she would have maybe in the end thought about it or at least brought up the possibility and then him turning it down or something, yk?
Overall though cute romance and I might read Mac’s story next, we’ll see!
December 3, 2025
There are a few things that I liked about this book and a few things I didn't.
Liked: grumpy meets sunshine. Healing physically and emotionally. Wonderful teamwork and teammates. A whole town decorated for Christmas!!!!
Didn't like: a lot of swearing. It just didn't fit with the wholesome Christmas aspect. The "sex" scenes. Again, unnecessary in my mind.
My favorite parts are when Cole realizes that Ellie is perfect for him. I actually cried tears of happiness!
Liked: grumpy meets sunshine. Healing physically and emotionally. Wonderful teamwork and teammates. A whole town decorated for Christmas!!!!
Didn't like: a lot of swearing. It just didn't fit with the wholesome Christmas aspect. The "sex" scenes. Again, unnecessary in my mind.
My favorite parts are when Cole realizes that Ellie is perfect for him. I actually cried tears of happiness!
November 21, 2025
"Everything protested, really. He was exhausted, sore, and running on painkillers and spite."
Cole arrives in Evergreen Cove for a NHL "Time out" and six weeks of rehab following a viral incident. He is immediately enveloped in a Hallmark movie of a town. A minor league team (Eagles) who welcome him with open arms. Hart has great world building and character development.
Ellie is just as damaged as Cole - but she has home ice advantage. These two broken pieces grow together.
Steamy, HEA.
Cole arrives in Evergreen Cove for a NHL "Time out" and six weeks of rehab following a viral incident. He is immediately enveloped in a Hallmark movie of a town. A minor league team (Eagles) who welcome him with open arms. Hart has great world building and character development.
Ellie is just as damaged as Cole - but she has home ice advantage. These two broken pieces grow together.
Steamy, HEA.
October 29, 2025
I loved the Christmas-y and festive elements to this because it was “ah yes, snuggle up and read this around Christmas time” without “everything about this book is about Christmas.
I’m not usually an insta-love lover but I liked the sound of the plot of this book so I wanted to read it anyways. The love story was very sweet and I loved that the romance kind of started as an evolving respect turned admiration for her on his end.
My only note is that, being a mood reader, I don’t always pay 100% attention to absolutely every detail I read, I did get a little confused with the timeline. That’s just me personally, weeks feel really fast in real life, especially over Christmas, and especially in book timelines so I was thinking “damn this is really like 4-6 weeks”???.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I’m not usually an insta-love lover but I liked the sound of the plot of this book so I wanted to read it anyways. The love story was very sweet and I loved that the romance kind of started as an evolving respect turned admiration for her on his end.
My only note is that, being a mood reader, I don’t always pay 100% attention to absolutely every detail I read, I did get a little confused with the timeline. That’s just me personally, weeks feel really fast in real life, especially over Christmas, and especially in book timelines so I was thinking “damn this is really like 4-6 weeks”???.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 12, 2026
A good sports romance that gives you all the feels. I liked reading their story and would read more by this author. If you enjoy reading this genre I’d pick it up.
January 5, 2026
Injured NHL Hockey Player winds up traded to the minor league after a series of incidents and altercations. But the new team happens to be in Evergreen Cove, Vermont. Home of the largest Christmas festival and boasting the title “Christmas Capital of Vermont” which can be described as A Hallmark movie on Christmas steroids. Personal hell for someone like Cole who has a chip on his shoulder following his injury, as well as personal reasons for hating Christmas.
His new team Dr. is named Noelle, because in this Hallmark style Christmas town- of course her name is Noelle.
This grumpy sunshine story is perfect for Hockey romance fans, but isn’t so heavy on the Hockey side that fans of small town holiday romance wouldn’t enjoy it. It is short and as sweet as some holiday cookies.
Thank you BookSirens and Brooklyn Hart for the advance copy.
His new team Dr. is named Noelle, because in this Hallmark style Christmas town- of course her name is Noelle.
This grumpy sunshine story is perfect for Hockey romance fans, but isn’t so heavy on the Hockey side that fans of small town holiday romance wouldn’t enjoy it. It is short and as sweet as some holiday cookies.
Thank you BookSirens and Brooklyn Hart for the advance copy.
November 18, 2025
Trying again by MeemsAngel82
This was a sweet book that was emotional but had a good message about hope and working hard. Trying and accepting what you can and cannot do and trying to be happy. Finding the one wasn't necessarily what they both thought they should do. But luckily, the got there and healed one another.
He was traded again. This time to a small place and still in pain from an injury. He wanted better and his new PT did too. She pushed him to do the hard thing and he was better for it.
It's hard to go through what they both did. Hoping and working for something and not getting it is so hard. This time they found love and thank goodness for it. They are both good people but just had a raw deal at times. I admire her standing up to him and right away! She didn't give in and didn't take his baggage. But rather they genuinely fell for the other and respect the other. They both worked through their fears and found the very best present in one another. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was a sweet book that was emotional but had a good message about hope and working hard. Trying and accepting what you can and cannot do and trying to be happy. Finding the one wasn't necessarily what they both thought they should do. But luckily, the got there and healed one another.
He was traded again. This time to a small place and still in pain from an injury. He wanted better and his new PT did too. She pushed him to do the hard thing and he was better for it.
It's hard to go through what they both did. Hoping and working for something and not getting it is so hard. This time they found love and thank goodness for it. They are both good people but just had a raw deal at times. I admire her standing up to him and right away! She didn't give in and didn't take his baggage. But rather they genuinely fell for the other and respect the other. They both worked through their fears and found the very best present in one another. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 29, 2025
4.5⭐️
I need the next book immediately!!!
This was so heartwarming and gave me the warm fuzzies in the best way. The grumpy NHL star with an awful reputation meets the sunshiny Christmas loving physical therapist who helps him recover from what could have been a career ending injury. This was EVERYTHING I needed and more. The Christmas vibes were perfect and I love every side character. I feel like a lot of hockey romances are just smut and can take away from a lot of the plot but this was the perfect in between. If you need all the cozy holiday vibes this is 100% worth the read. I am so grateful to have read this ARC!
I need the next book immediately!!!
This was so heartwarming and gave me the warm fuzzies in the best way. The grumpy NHL star with an awful reputation meets the sunshiny Christmas loving physical therapist who helps him recover from what could have been a career ending injury. This was EVERYTHING I needed and more. The Christmas vibes were perfect and I love every side character. I feel like a lot of hockey romances are just smut and can take away from a lot of the plot but this was the perfect in between. If you need all the cozy holiday vibes this is 100% worth the read. I am so grateful to have read this ARC!
November 30, 2025
I loved this debut book by Brooklyn Hart. She writes Cole and Ellie's story really well. Cole is a grumpy hockey player who has been sent to the minors for his last chance at playing. He has a shoulder injury that needs to be rehabbed, and Ellie is his physical therapist at the new team. She has his future in her happy hands. She is a people pleaser.
I am definitely going to continue to read books by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I am definitely going to continue to read books by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 19, 2025
Loved this cute story set in a Christmas town. The hockey player thinks of it as the end and is misrible, but the PT steps in and saves him in more ways than one.
December 7, 2025
This was a sweet, wholesome holiday read, and I really liked it!!
Cole gets kicked out of the NHL after a video of him getting into a fight started circulated and piled on top of all the other things he had against him. His shoulder injury has seriously put a damper on his future, too.
He gets shipped to Vermont to play on a small team, in a super small, Christmas-obsessed town. He hates everything about it.
He meets his new Physical Therapist, Ellie, who doesn’t take his crap, at all. Ellie loves Christmas and is involved in all things related to making the town festive and beautiful.
There’s a bit of a slow burn between Ellie and Cole, and the tension is so good until we finally get what we are waiting for.
Their relationship is precious and Cole really grows and changes a lot. Their love is so cute. Also the found family we get with the hockey team and everyone in this book is so sweet. I love Mac so very much.
The editing was not very good in this, it definitely could’ve gone through another round or two with editors before release. It was a lot of little things that kind of added up.
Grumpy/sunshine, hockey romance, Physical therapist/patient, found family, one bed/snowed in.
Overall a super cute holiday read!!
Cole gets kicked out of the NHL after a video of him getting into a fight started circulated and piled on top of all the other things he had against him. His shoulder injury has seriously put a damper on his future, too.
He gets shipped to Vermont to play on a small team, in a super small, Christmas-obsessed town. He hates everything about it.
He meets his new Physical Therapist, Ellie, who doesn’t take his crap, at all. Ellie loves Christmas and is involved in all things related to making the town festive and beautiful.
There’s a bit of a slow burn between Ellie and Cole, and the tension is so good until we finally get what we are waiting for.
Their relationship is precious and Cole really grows and changes a lot. Their love is so cute. Also the found family we get with the hockey team and everyone in this book is so sweet. I love Mac so very much.
The editing was not very good in this, it definitely could’ve gone through another round or two with editors before release. It was a lot of little things that kind of added up.
Grumpy/sunshine, hockey romance, Physical therapist/patient, found family, one bed/snowed in.
Overall a super cute holiday read!!
November 10, 2025
⭐️ 4 Stars ⭐️
Thank you to BookSirens and Brooklyn Hart for providing an ARC of Offside for Christmas! 🎄
This was such a great debut novel that pulled me in right from the start. It’s full of some of my favourite tropes — hockey romance, workplace romance, grumpy x sunshine, he falls first, and a touch of Christmas magic all wrapped up in a small-town setting.
I really enjoyed Ellie and Cole’s dynamic and that should he stay or go tension — it gave me total Ross & Rachel or Ted & Victoria vibes 👀 Their chemistry felt natural, and I loved the emotional depth throughout their story.
There were a few moments that felt a little repetitive, but overall I couldn’t put it down. The side characters were amazing too — especially Mac, the meddling best friend and team captain who orchestrates a one-bed setup on purpose 🤣 I’m already hoping he gets his own book next!
A festive, funny, and heartfelt romance that’s perfect for anyone who loves grumpy x sunshine with a holiday twist. I can’t wait to read more from Brooklyn Hart! 💚
Thank you to BookSirens and Brooklyn Hart for providing an ARC of Offside for Christmas! 🎄
This was such a great debut novel that pulled me in right from the start. It’s full of some of my favourite tropes — hockey romance, workplace romance, grumpy x sunshine, he falls first, and a touch of Christmas magic all wrapped up in a small-town setting.
I really enjoyed Ellie and Cole’s dynamic and that should he stay or go tension — it gave me total Ross & Rachel or Ted & Victoria vibes 👀 Their chemistry felt natural, and I loved the emotional depth throughout their story.
There were a few moments that felt a little repetitive, but overall I couldn’t put it down. The side characters were amazing too — especially Mac, the meddling best friend and team captain who orchestrates a one-bed setup on purpose 🤣 I’m already hoping he gets his own book next!
A festive, funny, and heartfelt romance that’s perfect for anyone who loves grumpy x sunshine with a holiday twist. I can’t wait to read more from Brooklyn Hart! 💚
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