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Clinching the Play
Taylor Matthew’s life is going really well.
She caught her fiance cheating on her.
Her best friend and coworker Rosie, has moved to a new team without telling her,
AND her coaches are replacing Rosie with her nemesis, Eloise Harper.
Eloise Harper has just gotten out of a long term relationship, she’s moved cities to get away and somehow stumbled into the same city as her decade long on ice rival, Taylor Matthews. Eloise wants to keep her head down and play hockey but everything Taylor does makes her go haywire.
With Coach forcing them to become friendly, these rivals-turned-teammates have to learn to get along. This means that they have to get close, very, very close, because all they know is they have one common goal- clinch the play and win the Walter Cup.
She caught her fiance cheating on her.
Her best friend and coworker Rosie, has moved to a new team without telling her,
AND her coaches are replacing Rosie with her nemesis, Eloise Harper.
Eloise Harper has just gotten out of a long term relationship, she’s moved cities to get away and somehow stumbled into the same city as her decade long on ice rival, Taylor Matthews. Eloise wants to keep her head down and play hockey but everything Taylor does makes her go haywire.
With Coach forcing them to become friendly, these rivals-turned-teammates have to learn to get along. This means that they have to get close, very, very close, because all they know is they have one common goal- clinch the play and win the Walter Cup.
319 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 17, 2026
7 people are currently reading
341 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Just finished reading this for a quote pull for the author... OH MY WORD. I'M IN LOVEEEEE.
If you like men's hockey romances, you've got to read this series instead. It's a sapphic, rivals to lovers romances ft a bi awakening and plenty of slow burn tension.
It does a great job of showcasing the genuine love and adoration between two women, and how special that is in comparison to a relationship with a man.
1000/10, will be reading the entire series. Don't miss this.
If you like men's hockey romances, you've got to read this series instead. It's a sapphic, rivals to lovers romances ft a bi awakening and plenty of slow burn tension.
It does a great job of showcasing the genuine love and adoration between two women, and how special that is in comparison to a relationship with a man.
1000/10, will be reading the entire series. Don't miss this.
March 18, 2026
(rounded down from 3.25)
This was a fun and light little romance. I had some frustration at the beginning with how irrationally stupid this adult woman was being but things improved and became much more engaging so I'd recommend sticking with it.
This was a fun and light little romance. I had some frustration at the beginning with how irrationally stupid this adult woman was being but things improved and became much more engaging so I'd recommend sticking with it.
March 18, 2026
With hockey romances trending in fiction these days, I was especially hyped to read this one, since I really wanted to sink my teeth into a wlw sports romance. If you're a fan of Heated Rivalry and wanting to read a rivals-to-lovers sapphic romance, keep in mind Clinching the Play is definitely a slow burn, but a totally worthwhile read. I'm someone who also doesn't know much about hockey, but I had no issues reading it, and the author does a great job at making any hockey references digestible for a complete newbie.
I have to admit it took me around half of the book to get a complete feel for Taylor and Eloise, which could be a fault of my own, I have been a very distracted reader lately; but by the 80% mark I became very invested in their relationship. I think the characters are very well rounded and complex, especially Taylor, who goes through the wringer with her emotions and reactions in the beginning. (Which can be a bit frustrating for some readers to relate to, but I do think it does make sense for her just based off of her experiences.) The supporting characters as well are written in a way you really get to know them quite well by the end of the book. All in all this is a really sweet romance with a slow burn that is really satisfying once the couple starts falling for each other. I'm excited to read more of the series when it does come out.
Thank you to the author for providing a free eARC!!
I have to admit it took me around half of the book to get a complete feel for Taylor and Eloise, which could be a fault of my own, I have been a very distracted reader lately; but by the 80% mark I became very invested in their relationship. I think the characters are very well rounded and complex, especially Taylor, who goes through the wringer with her emotions and reactions in the beginning. (Which can be a bit frustrating for some readers to relate to, but I do think it does make sense for her just based off of her experiences.) The supporting characters as well are written in a way you really get to know them quite well by the end of the book. All in all this is a really sweet romance with a slow burn that is really satisfying once the couple starts falling for each other. I'm excited to read more of the series when it does come out.
Thank you to the author for providing a free eARC!!
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April 23, 2026I think it was a mood thing. No rating, because I think I might need to give it another chance later.
March 21, 2026
i was so excited for it to be a sapphic hockey romance like yes please. but it just didn’t hit for me. the time jumps felt clunky at times and made me feel lost about where the story was. the pacing was there, the chemistry between the characters was there. but the pacing just threw it off for me. also it took me awhile to get into the story..and to be honest i didn’t care for taylor majority of the time.
March 30, 2026
3.5/5 ⭐
VANCOUVER VORTEX STRIKES AGAIN!! 🏒
This book is so freaking cute, my heart can't handle this. No cap!! 😭🫶🏻
Okay, let’s talk about this book because I am officially not okay. This was my first Sapphic read and consider me converted. I’m obsessed. 🫠
It’s giving pure wholesomeness. We’re talking about Lighthearted energy, sweet gestures, hearty confessions that actually made me kick my feet & Top-tier intimacy & loads of drama!! ❤️🔥
Eloise and Taylor being rivals on opposite hockey teams? Standard.
Eloise transferring to Taylor’s team and being forced to be partners? ABSOLUTE CINEMA. 🎬
You see Rivals to Lovers??!! Oh my gosh! Peak.
At first there was lots of "bad blood" between them, but the forced proximity and the "team banishment" blackmail? I’m giggling. It really brought them together in the best way possible.
Also, can we talk about the mountain climbing scene? Bonding over shared suffering? Ah trope. 🔥
Love the celebration after their match it's unique & lively, haha 😂
The bisexual awakening, the mental health rep (therapist did a great job), and the seamless use of pronouns were 10/10. No notes. 🏳️🌈
I’m literally amazed by women who know exactly what they want and don't apologize for it. Go off, Eloise! 💅
The writing is slow-paced to give you the feel of the concept & their heartwarming relationship 🫶🏻
Also, huge shoutout to Bryne and Winnie. They are the ultimate ride-or-dies for helping them realize their individuality & supporting them. Need more homies like em' 🥂
This was my first time diving into this genre and I’m so glad I did. If I missed any nuances or hurt anybody's feelings, charge it to my head and not my heart! 😅
Tropes: Rivals to lovers / Forced proximity / only one bed / Drunk confessions/ Bi-sexual awakening
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Thankyou for giving me this ARC 🤩!!
VANCOUVER VORTEX STRIKES AGAIN!! 🏒
This book is so freaking cute, my heart can't handle this. No cap!! 😭🫶🏻
Okay, let’s talk about this book because I am officially not okay. This was my first Sapphic read and consider me converted. I’m obsessed. 🫠
It’s giving pure wholesomeness. We’re talking about Lighthearted energy, sweet gestures, hearty confessions that actually made me kick my feet & Top-tier intimacy & loads of drama!! ❤️🔥
Eloise and Taylor being rivals on opposite hockey teams? Standard.
Eloise transferring to Taylor’s team and being forced to be partners? ABSOLUTE CINEMA. 🎬
You see Rivals to Lovers??!! Oh my gosh! Peak.
At first there was lots of "bad blood" between them, but the forced proximity and the "team banishment" blackmail? I’m giggling. It really brought them together in the best way possible.
Also, can we talk about the mountain climbing scene? Bonding over shared suffering? Ah trope. 🔥
Love the celebration after their match it's unique & lively, haha 😂
The bisexual awakening, the mental health rep (therapist did a great job), and the seamless use of pronouns were 10/10. No notes. 🏳️🌈
I’m literally amazed by women who know exactly what they want and don't apologize for it. Go off, Eloise! 💅
The writing is slow-paced to give you the feel of the concept & their heartwarming relationship 🫶🏻
Also, huge shoutout to Bryne and Winnie. They are the ultimate ride-or-dies for helping them realize their individuality & supporting them. Need more homies like em' 🥂
This was my first time diving into this genre and I’m so glad I did. If I missed any nuances or hurt anybody's feelings, charge it to my head and not my heart! 😅
Tropes: Rivals to lovers / Forced proximity / only one bed / Drunk confessions/ Bi-sexual awakening
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Thankyou for giving me this ARC 🤩!!
April 7, 2026
I think this book really captures the tension of one of the main characters, Taylor, as she struggles with her sexuality and what that means for her own self-identity, and how she thinks she will be perceived by her teammates, her family and her hockey fans. She’s definitely difficult to like at the beginning of the book as this tension manifests itself as she lashes out at everyone around her. This book is definitely a slow burn, but once it heats up, it becomes an incendiary! By the end of the book, I was taken with Taylor’s rocky path of self- realization and self-acceptance to self-actualization . I think anyone who enjoyed Heated Rivalry will enjoy “Clinching the Play”!
May 4, 2026
Of course I was drawn to a book about women’s ice hockey, but unfortunately it was a disappointment. The story lacked originality and didn’t build up in a compelling way. The characters came across as immature, which was reflected in the writing style as well. As a self-published book, it would really benefit from one or two thorough rounds of copy editing. At times, the writing was confusing and felt disjointed, making it difficult to stay engaged.
May 3, 2026
Clinching my Attention!!!
If your interested in a book about Women’s Hockey and a cute LGBTQ+ relationships read this book and you will be clinching your seat until the end
This is a slow burn between enemies to friend enemies to friends to lovers situation
It kept my attention by the end this book left me wanting more
Can’t wait for the next book!!!
If your interested in a book about Women’s Hockey and a cute LGBTQ+ relationships read this book and you will be clinching your seat until the end
This is a slow burn between enemies to friend enemies to friends to lovers situation
It kept my attention by the end this book left me wanting more
Can’t wait for the next book!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.25
✨ Thank you to the author for the eARC ✨
Okay, so I went into this book a bit worried, because at the time, I wasn't in the mood for a sports romance, but I thought there'd be no harm in trying, and let's say, I'm so happy I did.
First of all, this book is fast-paced. I'm a pretty slow reader most of the time, but this one didn't drag at all. The chapters were quick to fly through, things kept moving, and it never felt like I was forcing myself through it. I actually found myself wanting to keep going.
The characters were probably my favourite part. I really liked all the girls on the team, and watching their friendships grow over the course of the book was honestly so satisfying. The bond between them felt supportive and strong in a way that made me care about what happened to them, and the addition of Eloise & Taylor's bond, which grew from enemies-to-friends-to-lovers, was just the icing on the cake!
I had way more fun with this book than I thought I would. Now, I'm super excited to see where the series goes next. The ending definitely left me wanting more, and I'm genuinely looking forward to picking up the next instalment to see who we follow next.
✨ Thank you to the author for the eARC ✨
Okay, so I went into this book a bit worried, because at the time, I wasn't in the mood for a sports romance, but I thought there'd be no harm in trying, and let's say, I'm so happy I did.
First of all, this book is fast-paced. I'm a pretty slow reader most of the time, but this one didn't drag at all. The chapters were quick to fly through, things kept moving, and it never felt like I was forcing myself through it. I actually found myself wanting to keep going.
The characters were probably my favourite part. I really liked all the girls on the team, and watching their friendships grow over the course of the book was honestly so satisfying. The bond between them felt supportive and strong in a way that made me care about what happened to them, and the addition of Eloise & Taylor's bond, which grew from enemies-to-friends-to-lovers, was just the icing on the cake!
I had way more fun with this book than I thought I would. Now, I'm super excited to see where the series goes next. The ending definitely left me wanting more, and I'm genuinely looking forward to picking up the next instalment to see who we follow next.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews