New Year's Ever After

Nebraska Knights #7

by Ellie Hall

I wake up on New Year’s Day married to a hockey player. Oops. But it’s not what you think. There is a problem, though. I promised my legendary NHL father I’d never even date one. Whoops.

If your so-called friends ever volunteer you for a hypnotist’s act at a New Year’s Eve variety show, don’t walk, skate in the opposite direction because you might just wind up married. Legally.

Now I’m stuck in an accidental marriage with a man who’s everything I swore to avoid. Well, except the handsome part.

Lane is back in the game after an injury while trying to keep a low profile. Then his troubled ten-year-old nephew lands on our doorstep. I’m convinced the kid has a female body double because strange things start happening around my bakery.

As a former hockey player myself, Lane and I team up and bring it to the ice to help the boy out, but he then makes a run for it. As we try to clean up the mess we’ve made, it’s quite possible someone—or a pair of someones—is playing matchmaker.

Parent Trap much? It isn’t the worst. Lane is a secret cinnamon roll under that hard-body exterior. Ask this baker how she knows … the chemistry between us is bubblier than baking soda and vinegar.

Oh, and technically, I only promised never to date a hockey player. Marriage wasn’t mentioned. Could the best New Year’s resolution be the one I never saw coming, or will I be left with nothing but memories and crumbs?

Genres: Hockey, Holiday, Romance

254 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 27, 2025

About the author

Ellie Hall is a USA Today bestselling author. If only that meant she could wear a tiara and get away with it. ;) She loves puppies, books, and the ocean. Writing sweet romance with lots of firsts and fizzy feels gives her joy. Oh, and chocolate chip cookies are her fave. Ellie believes in dreaming big, working hard, and lazy Sunday afternoons spent with her family and dog in gratitude for God’s grace.

♥

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/EllieHallNL
Website: http://www.elliehallauthor.com
Facebook: http://www/facebook.com/elliehallauthor
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/elliehallauthor

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Series and suggested reading order:

The Only Us Sweet Billionaire Series
•these billionaires have everything, but will they find love...?•

1. Only a Date with a Billionaire
2. Only a Kiss with a Billionaire
3. Only a Night with a Billionaire
4. Only Forever with a Billionaire
5. Only Love with a Billionaire
6. Only Christmas with the Billionaire
7. Only New Year with the Billionaire

♥

The Hawkins Family Clean Romance Series

•five brothers, torn apart and the women who help put them back together...•

1. Second Chance in Hawk Ridge Hollow

2. Finding Forever in Hawk Ridge Hollow

3. Resort Getaway with a Bodyguard

4. Going Home to Hawk Ridge Hollow

5. Christmas in Hawk Ridge Hollow

♥

The Blue Bay Beach Reads Romance Series

•a small-town restaurant, a dating dare, and happily ever afters...•

1. Summer with the Marine

2. Summer with the Rock Star

3. Summer with the Billionaire

4. Summer with the Cowboy

5. Summer with the Carpenter

6. Summer with the Doctor

♥

Ritchie Ranch Clean Cowboy Romance Series

•Cowboy hats & kisses with small-town charm•

1. Rustling the Cowboy’s Heart

2. Lassoing the Cowboy’s Heart

3. Trusting the Cowboy’s Heart

4. Kissing the Christmas Cowboy

5. Loving the Cowboy’s Heart

6. Charming the Cowboy’s Heart

7. Saving the Cowboy’s Heart

8. Wrangling the Cowboy’s Heart

♥

Falling into Happily Ever After Rom Com

• Sweet, heartwarming & uplifting romantic comedy

1. An Unwanted Love Story

2. An Unexpected Love Story

3. An Unlikely Love Story

4. An Accidental Love Story

5. An Impossible Love Story

6. An Unconventional Christmas Love Story

♥

Forever Marriage Match

• Five friends have to find true love or else...romcom

1. Dare to Love My Grumpy Boss

2. Dare to Love the Guy Next Door

3. Dare to Love My Fake Husband

4. Dare to Love the Guy I Hate

5. Dare to Love My Best Friend

♥

Home Sweet Home Small Town Romantic Comedy Series

Mr. & Mrs. Fix-It Find Love

Designing Happily Ever After

The DIY Kissing Project

The True Romance Renovation

Extreme Heart Makeover

Building What's Meant to Be

♥

The Costa Brothers Cozy Christmas Comfort Romance Series

Tommy & Merry and the 12 Days of Christmas

Bruno & Gloria and the 5 Golden Rings

Luca & Ivy and the 4 Calling Birds

Gio & Joy and the 3 French Hens

Paulo & Noella and the 2 Turtle Doves

Nico & Hope and the Partridge in the Pear Tree

♥

The Love List Series

The Swoon List

The Not Love List

The Crush List

The Kiss List

The Naughty or Nice List

♥

Love, Laughs, and Mystery in Coco Key

The Romance Situation

The Romance Fiasco

The Romance Game

The Romance Gambit

The Christmas Romance Wish

♥

On the Hunt for Love

The Grump and the Girl Next Door

The Bitter Heir and the Beauty

The Secret Son and the Sweetheart

The Ex Best Friend and the Fake Fiancé

The Best Friend’s Brother and the Brain

Select titles are available in audiobook, paperback, hardcover, and large print formats. Happy reading!♥

Reviews

[Brittnee · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75*

-Dual POVs
-Takes place in Las Vegas (on NYE) and Nebraska
-Strangers to married
-Complicated family dynamics
-Side characters from the series woven throughout story

[Jacquie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute story with an accidental Vegas marriage but not the usual accidental Vegas marriage so it was interesting to read that part of the story unfold. I liked both main characters and the surprising supporting characters. The supporting character’s epilogues were adorable and a great way to end the story. “Bake at the temperature of unconditional love until golden brown and perfect, just like families that choose each other instead of being stuck with each other. The best part about “Family Cookies” is that they never crumble when you need them most…”

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two strangers' eyes meet from across the room....Nina is a baker from Nebraska. Lane is a hockey player traded to a new team and in Las Vegas on New Years Eve. A chance meeting turns into so much more. Nina made a promise to her dad to never date a hockey player but she didn't promise she wouldn't marry one.

[Chandra Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Year’s Ever After by Elle Hall is the kind of romance that makes you giggle-snort, clutch your heart, and start craving baked goods at midnight. It’s warm, chaotic, full of serendipity and cinnamon-roll sweetness—literally—because when professional baker Nina gets hypnotized on stage in Las Vegas, she doesn’t just quack like a duck… she ends up legally married to a hockey player.

Not exactly the New Year’s resolution she had in mind.

Nina is the friend who always shows up for everyone else—but never herself. The woman who runs her grandmother’s Busy Bee Bakery, keeps the ovens warm, the town fed, and somehow still remembers everyone’s favorite pastry. A getaway to Vegas is supposed to be her one chance to unwind. Instead, her friends volunteer her for a hypnotist’s act… and a stranger with devastating charm gets dragged on stage beside her.

Cue Lane. Injured hockey star. Newly traded. A little heart-bruised. A lot handsome.
He’s trying to keep his head down, but locking eyes with Nina feels like fate snapping its fingers. One dance, one hypnotist, one I do later—and they’re waking up with matching rings and no idea what to do next.

But the universe—and perhaps one mischievous 10-year-old nephew—isn’t done.
Because when Lane’s troubled nephew shows up on their doorstep, hijinks follow fast. Think Parent Trap energy meets bakery meets ice rink sweetness. Nina and Lane team up, bond over hockey, hot chocolate, and messy family wounds, and somewhere between pretend decisions and real emotions… the line between accidental marriage and maybe meant to be starts to melt.

This book delivers comfort, cozy vibes, and a romance you root for with your whole chest:

🍰 Small-town bakery magic
🏒 Hockey player with cinnamon-roll heart
💍 Accidental marriage → maybe real love?
👀 Forbidden but irresistible (dad said no hockey players!)
🏠 Found family & a nephew who steals every scene
🎉 No third-act breakup (bless this author)
💖 Closed-door kisses, open-heart tenderness

What makes Nina and Lane shine is how real they feel. Two people who’ve been hurt, who don’t trust easily, who wake up married and think we’ll fix this… later, only to slowly discover they don’t want to un-choose each other. Every chapter stretches that spark into something deeper, and when emotions finally land—it’s magic.

It’s funny, heartfelt, and wonderfully surprising at every turn. A romance that reminds us the best love stories aren’t always planned… sometimes they begin with a hypnotist, a ring you didn’t expect, and a man who looks at you like home.

If you want a New Year’s read that feels like cinnamon rolls, late-night confessions, and two people falling for each other exactly when they stop trying not to—this one deserves a spot on your TBR.

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

[Lindsey Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️

If you feel that closed door romance doesn’t get you feeling the same way open door romance can, I am going to argue that you are reading the wrong authors. Don’t get me wrong, I love open door spice as much as the next girl, but closed door has been growing more and more on me this year. Ellie Hall is one of the authors who makes me feel a wide range of emotions with her sweet and romantic stories. New Year’s Ever After is her latest release and she did a wonderful job, again, at making me feel all the romance with kisses only.

Nina and Lane are absolute fire in this story and their romance takes center stage as they ring in the New Year. They compliment each other, push each other, and truly bring out the best in one another. Nina has stopped putting herself first and thinks a getaway to Vegas is just what the doctor ordered. Lane is feeling a bit sorry for himself and lost as an injury caused him to be traded to a new hockey team. Their meet cute is by way of a hypnotist after they are pulled on stage to be part of the act. As they fall under a spell, they open up to fate stepping in and wake up married the next morning, remembering nothing of the night before.

As they try to navigate this new marriage, Lane’s 10 year old nephew throws more wrenches into the gears. He is full of plotting to keep these two on their toes. When Nina and Lane band together to reign the nephew in. Through their working together, they get to know each other deeper and realize there is more to their marriage than they originally thought. It begins to make them wonder was this by chance or did fate truly step in to bring them together.

Ellie writes romance so well and each book has me giggling, blushing, and leaves my heart full. I know she is an author that will make my heart swell, my feet kick, and my face hurt from smiling. I loved the shenanigans that Lane’s nephew brings to the story, the bonding our MCs go through, and how everything ended exactly as it should have. Begin your New Years with a great author and a wonderful book!

As always, review any author notes before reading.

What to Expect:
🩷Accidental Marriage
✨Forbidden Love
🩷Cinnamon Roll MMC
✨Forced Proximity
🩷Small Town Romance
✨Found Family
🩷Closed Door Romance

[Nicole | Nicole's Bookstagram · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Year’s Ever After is a delightful, feel-good accidental marriage romance that leaves you smiling, feeling cozy, and completely satisfied. I was so excited to read Nina’s story after getting to know her in Our Merry Little Christmas. From the moment their eyes meet, Nina and Lane’s chemistry is undeniable. Ellie writes their connection in a way that feels immediate and inevitable—you can sense it instantly and can’t help but root for them.

Lane is the perfect book boyfriend—strength and tenderness rolled into a handsome hockey-player package, protective, endearing, and unwavering when it matters most. Nina is the kind of woman who shows up—steadfast, dependable, and endlessly caring. She meets life with quiet confidence, never hesitating when she’s needed, and when Lane’s world shifts, she steps in without flinching.

One of the things I love most about Nina and Lane is the united stance they take from the very beginning and return to whenever things are tested. Lane’s steady, quiet strength makes Nina feel secure and protected—he is her safe place. She quickly becomes his constant. Nina loves Lane for who he is, not what he has or what he does, and she stays when things get hard. They protect each other with the same quiet resolve, standing firm together and never allowing outside voices to shake what they’re building. Her kindness, patience, and reliable presence remind him that he doesn’t have to face everything alone. Their mutual care, respect, and teamwork warmed my heart.

I loved the fun and unique accidentally married by a hypnotist trope. Ellie is constantly keeping things fresh and interesting. If you like accidental marriage, found family, solid and steady MCs, and a romance based on a love that stays, this one is an easy yes.

✨Includes:✨
Small Town Baker
Hockey Player
Accidental Marriage
(Married In Vegas By A Hypnotist)
Found Family
Forbidden Love
(She Promised To Never Date a Hockey Player)
Cinnamon Roll Hero
Heart of the Home Heroine
Forced Proximity
Hidden Tattoos


Favorites:
🪩 Their dance
💗Lane’s quiet strength
🪩Midnight kiss
💗Confusion cookies
🪩Honest conversations
💗Kai + pranks
🪩Family group chat
💗Family skating
🪩She played hockey.
💗Hot chocolate dates
🪩”I choose you. I choose us, no matter what anyone thinks.”
💗Coach Badaszek
🪩Rise and Expand
💗The epilogues


Thank you so much for the gifted ARC Ellie Hall! 🫶🏻 All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kaci Bonar · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the Christmas novella, I was hoping that Bree’s bestie, Nina, would get a book!  And surprise, she did! 

Nina Bruun and her bakery, The Busy Bee, have been around since the beginning of the various Nebraska Knights stories and now she gets her own spotlight.  Despite the busyness of the bakery, Nina has agreed to meet her friends and their men at NHL NYE party in Las Vegas.  She’s continually feeling like the 3rd/5th/7th … wheel as more of her friends are getting married off to their own Knights in shining armor; once at the party Nina decides to let loose and dance, even with the handsome stranger she has been staring at for the better part of the evening. 

Lane is a new transfer player to the Knights organization, but with all his current life upheaval the last thing he needs/wants is any sort of complication.  What Lane could never have foreseen is his teammates volunteering him to join the beautiful woman he danced with on stage for the hypnotist’s portion of the variety show.  A few minutes later much to both their surprise, they have wedding bands on their fingers ringing in the new year as husband and wife. 

This story really kicks into high gear upon their return to Cobbiton, trying to make sense of their newlywed state, unexpected arrival of Kai (his nephew), and transitioning to a new team.  Honestly, this was a bit of a whirlwind for them and me, but in the long run I think we are all the better for it!  I love how seamless this story flowed and how yet again a Knight’s connection to Cobbiton is more than just the team.  Lane’s dedication to Nina is endearing, he wants to do right by her and not just because it’s the easiest way to get the press and his father off his back.  Nina may have accidentally sidestepped her promise she made to her dad; the love she starts to feel for Lane is every bit as sweet as her bakery treats. 

While some challenges come up, they learn to rise individually and together.  I love how Nina said that she didn’t have a resolution but a word, “rise” and that carried throughout the novella.  This might have made its way into my top 5 of all the Cobbiton based stories!  May we all rise in the coming year!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I sat down to start reading this book, I knew I would immediately be drawn into the story. I also knew that once I started to read, I would not want to put the book down. There's just something about the writing style of this author, who is one of my favorites, the words just jump off of the page.

This was a really fun story in this Nebraska Knights Holiday Hockey romance series. All of the characters are like friends after reading so many in this series. This is Nina's story, the one who runs her grandmother's Busy Bee Bakery and is always there for all of her friends. She never takes time for herself so all of the girls make a plan for her to join them in Las Vegas for a New Year's Eve NHL gala. When her friends volunteer her for a hypnotist's act, she reluctantly goes along. What happens next is hard to believe, she finds herself married to a stranger and he is a hockey player. She broke a vow to her legendary NHL dad who made her promise to never date a hockey player. How is she going to explain this to him.

Lane has finally recovered from his sports injuries to find that the team he has always played for has traded him to the Nebraska Knights. He is just getting to know his team mates so even though he would rather stay home, he goes to the NHL gala in Las Vegas. He meets eyes with a beautiful woman across the room and they share an awesome dance. Then the whole room is focused on the hypnotists act. Watching that beautiful woman respond to the hypnotists suggestions has him wanting to protect her. When he asks for a male volunteer his new teammates push him forward. Lane has been wounded by his previous girlfriend, Portia, who left him when he was injured. So when the hypnotist asks him if he believes in true love, he has a difficult time answering. Looking into Nina's eyes stirs something inside him. Finding out they are now legally married has him struggling to find a solution.

There is so much more to this story, even a play on the Parent Trap movie. This couple will have to figure out if they can have a happy New Year together.

I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest unbiased review.

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Nina's friends talk her into going to Vegas for a short getaway, she never dreams that her life is about to be turned upside down. Things are about to get more than a little crazy.

Lane has just been traded to his hockey team. He has to attend the New Year's party, even though he is not very happy about it.

Two somewhat tortured souls are about to about to go on a journey they never dreamt. After being hypnotized together, they wake up the next morning and realize they are married. Horrified does not even begin to describe the situation.

I have read many fake marriage books, but this is the first accidental marriage book that I have read, and it was fabulous. Both Lane and Nina had their own set of problems, including trust issues. To add insult to injury Lane's ten year old nephew, Kai, has brought a whole new set of problems to their chaotic lives.

As is always the case with a book written by this author, I laughed a lot as there was plenty of comedy mixed into this sweet romance. But there were also serious scenes that will tug on your heart strings. Even though their marriage was accidental, their connection was genuine. It is always fun to visit Cobbiton and the Nebraska Knights. This is another great addition to this series.

Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Carissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Year’s Ever After is part of the Nebraska Knights series. Each book in the series centers around a holiday and it can be read as a standalone. This is a perfect, easy read to bring in the new year!

Nina owns The Busy Bee Bakery and even though she is super busy at work, she agrees to meet her friends at a New Year’s Eve party in Las Vegas. Tired of feeling like the 3rd wheel to everyone else, she decides to let loose and dance with the handsome stranger that’s been staring at her from across the room. Lane has just been traded to the Nebraska Knights and trying to keep a low profile after an injury. One hypnotist later, they are accidentally married…add in Lane’s abandoned 10 year old nephew…what more could happen??

I am so excited for Nina to get her own HEA and Lane is such a cinnamon roll! The story is a whirlwind, but it works! The spark and chemistry between them felt so real right from the beginning and just got stronger as they continued to choose each other. I love how when challenges come up, they learn to tackle them together. I love that Nina didn’t have resolutions, but she had a word, “Rise”. I love that this was a huge theme through the story as they rose to the challenges thrown at them! I loved the WAGS, stress baking, late night hot chocolate conversations and their found family!!

If you love small town hockey romance with a forbidden romance, an accidental marriage and found family, then be sure to check this one out!

Thank you to the author for the copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read all the books in this fabulous series, and always wondered about the woman who baked amazing treats, often for the hockey team. Well this book is the about that woman, Nina. She is amazing, as she creates mass amounts of a wide variety of baked good day in and day out. Friends with many of the Nebraska Knights players wives, she has been in every book of the series quietly baking and enhancing Cobbiton. However this time she's been coerced into going to Los Vegas for the team's New Years Eve party. Let the fun begin!

The resulting story between Nina and Lane is both one of the most unique and most interesting hockey romances ever! Surprise after surprise, and deeper, richer characters emerge. An impossible situation adds to Nina and Lane's decision making and increases this reader's appreciation for the intricate plot the author created. So many surprises along the story's journey, so much for the reader to love and appreciate! This book is probably the best meet up and HEA the author has written! I loved it!!💓

[Megan | Reads Alotl Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

She promised her dad she wouldn’t date a hockey player….she marries one instead.

As we step back into Hockey Town aka Cobbinton, we find ourselves with Nina and Lane who accidentally get married in Vegas while being hypnotized. It’s got a Ross and Rachel in Vegas vibe but with strangers who had an instant connection and end up in a parent trap situation. (and no…neither of them have kids…)

Nina is the quiet one, who is trying to run her bakery and survive. Lane is the new guy, recovering from injuries and hating that he was traded. These two had so many surprises and challenges in their marriage and not the ones you think. It was fun and delightful!

What you’ll Love:
Cobbinton
Mischevious Kai
WAGS
Found Family
Nebraska Knights Team
Hypnotist
She’s a Hockey Player too
Stress Baking
Pranks

This is the perfect, easy read for New Years and the entire series Nebraska Knights (centered around Holidays) has been so much fun to read and connect with the Hockey Town series.

[Elise Stevenson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
I was trying to figure out why this has such a high rating when I couldn’t find it on my other reading app. Then I realised it had only been published a few days ago and had been reviewed by a loyal readership. Like, for real, she has written a vast catalogue of books, most of them centred around this hockey team. Had no idea. So forgive me if maybe I’m coming at this from an outsider’s perspective. It’s incredibly unrealistic and highly unbelievable that this would happen. Like, ever. Don’t get me wrong, the characters are sweet, there’s clearly some trauma from their pasts, and I’ve never known another book where the kiss takes more than one entire page of description. I don’t know, but I guess this and all closed-door romance might be the usual for Ellie Hall’s books. However, how many things do you throw in that are entirely wild to think would happen in real life? I mean, either this imagination is very vivid, or it’s just wild enough to be true. Who knows, but I’m going to say that New Year’s Ever After was a cute time, if not a little puzzling.

[Lila S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

New Year’s Ever After by Ellie Hall might be my favorite read of hers so far—and I’ve read five. I already loved Nina from Our Merry Little Christmas, so I was thrilled to see her get her own happily ever after.

I don’t usually gravitate toward love-at-first-sight stories, but this one was done so well. The romance may move quickly, yet it’s grounded in real emotional depth. The characters are navigating past hurts, present challenges, and uncertain futures, which gives the story weight and heart beyond the initial spark.

I continue to adore Cobbitton and loved getting to know more of the town as I binge my way through this series. The found family elements were especially touching, and the sense of community added so much warmth to the story. While there are moments that reflect the brokenness both characters have experienced, it was beautiful to watch their growth and the intentional choices they make along the way.

This was a perfect New Year’s read—hopeful, heartfelt, and full of charm. Highly recommend.

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the bees knees . I devoured it at speed . It’s simply
Ellie Hall and just in time for New Year’s y’all! You shall go to the ball ! See an hypnotist show even join in with a grin in place on your face. You go out with your friends after shutting up the bakery shop until after New Year’s Day then join your friends on your New year get away . A Las Vegas stay. But then there’s the show the girls book tickets to see an hypnotist show she’s not happy but goes along . After all what can go wrong it’s not like she’s susceptible to such things . Oh yeah then ,how come you woke up and you’re married ,both of you with rings and a legally binding contract to boot . Oops! And whoops what do they do now ? And while they’re trying things out there’s some things happening that are a bit far out and hazy ,is she going crazy or seeing double . Well this nephew that’s turned up there’s bound to be trouble while helping him out of a fix…At the double ….. . What about their situation though ,they do seem to be mixing well ,seem to gel. What is happening who can tell ,maybe a couple of ne’er do wells have the answer but maybe this New Year they’ll both find their own private dancer . .

[Jenny x Carolena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this and it was the perfect fun read to bridge the gap before the New Year! Imagine being "volunteered" for a variety show act and waking up legally married—to a hockey player, no less.

This book is a total treat. It’s got all the best tropes: accidental marriage, a cinnamon roll hero, and some serious Parent Trap energy with a ten-year-old nephew who might just be the ultimate matchmaker. As a former hockey player herself, our baker protagonist has a "no dating players" rule, but technically... she never said anything about marrying one!

The chemistry is "bubblier than baking soda and vinegar," and the small-town bakery setting made it feel so cozy. If you’re looking for a closed-door, low-stress rom-com with a "found family" heart and no third-act breakup, grab this one before the clock strikes midnight!.

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

[Michelle Dodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute and clean story. It references other Nebraska Knights romances. This is a stand alone romance.

Nina owns a bakery in Cobbiton that is about to go under. It was her grandmother's bakery. Her friends want her to go to Las Vegas for New Year's Eve. She's at the party and called up by the hypnotist. Lane, who is a new Nebraska Knight, is also called up. They are both hypnotized and end up married. Will they stay married or go separate ways? What happens when his nephew shows up on his doorstep?

This was a cute romance with a couple of twists. I like how Nina and Lane work on things to try and make it work. Also you can see how some parents are better than others. A definite must read.

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

[Shauna Jones]

Such a fun read!
Nina is struggling. Trying to do everything right. Keeping her grandmother’s bakery afloat. Following her father’s advice. Being the friend who saves the day. Then an unexpected wedding turns everything on its head. Nina has gone to a New Year’s Eve party with friends. After dancing with Lane, a professional hickey player, she and then Lane are called up on stage, hypnotized and married. Now she’s married to a Lane, feels the need to stay married at least for a while, and can’t deny her attraction to Lane even if she doesn’t know him. But life isn’t done with her yet. Lane’s young nephew appears unannounced, explaining to Lane that he was there permanently. Lane needs help and Nina can’t abandon the boy. What will life throw at her next? I loved this book. I received an early copy and this is my honest review.

[Dawn aka wolfinbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I understand what home really means. It’s not a place. It’s not even a person. It’s the connection and laughter and the challenges and the ordinary. It’s us choosing each other, day after day, in all the ways that matter.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ellie’s novels always land among the five stars!!! From the moment of the first word, she has you hooked until it’s finished.
Nina wakes up on New Year’s Day married to a hockey player!!! What???
She was chosen to assist the hypnotist at a party and when she was brought out of trance she’s staring at Lane, her new husband! The wedding video goes viral so they decide to remain married until things cool down. Now add in Lane’s nephew being abandoned on his doorstep. What more could happen?
Find out on December 27, 2025.
Thank you Ellie for this fabulous arc!

[Elaine Coghlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Year’s Ever After ~Nebraska Knights Holiday Hockey by Ellie Hall

I’ve been following the Nebraska Knights series from the very beginning, and I can honestly say that each book just keeps getting better. To date, this one is my absolute favourite.

The chemistry between Nina and Lane is undeniable and completely captivating. Their connection felt natural, intense, and emotionally satisfying. The characters are extremely well developed, making it easy to become invested in their journey, and the storyline is fantastic from start to finish.

I especially loved the accidental marriage trope paired with forbidden love—it added just the right mix of tension, romance, and heart. Ellie Hall truly delivered a beautifully written story that kept me engaged the entire time.

Highly recommended for romance and hockey fans alike!

[Meg (thyme.for.books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

New Year, New Family? After a run-in with a tricky hypnotist, Nina wakes up on New Year’s Day freshly married to a hockey player she barely knows.

New Year’s Ever After is part of the Nebraska Knights Holiday Romance series. This closed-door romance can be read as a stand-alone.

This book has all the wild and wonderful twists that you could possibly pack into a small-town, hockey romance. An accidental marriage is somehow the least chaotic thing to happen. While Lane needs a little image rehab in the beginning, he’s very passive about all the weirdness. He just accepts his fate and it really does work out well for everyone. I love the child POV epilogues. It adds such a sweet touch to round out the story.

[Alison Ramsay]

Lane is recovering from injury and a recent transfer to the Nebraska Knights ice hockey team and has an overcritical father. Nina is a baker in the hockey team hometown but is struggling financially and has also promised her father to never date a hockey player. At the New Year’s party, Nina is persuaded by her friends to be hypnotised. Lane is also persuaded by his teammates to participate and they end up married with the video going viral. They negotiate their new situation, parental disapproval, unexpected family pressures and their growing attraction to each other as well as meddlesome matchmakers and find an unexpected bond between them. A truly delightful romance that will capture your heart, especially the epilogues.

[Lyn Brownlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet read
A very enjoyable story of an unusual get together between two unsuspecting people.
A New Year’s Eve event that had far reaching consequences had Nina and Lane legally married by the end of the night.
This was a sweet, kisses only story featuring a newly traded hockey player and an overworked baker who were attracted to each other from first sight.
With two strangers trying to make the most of what happened to them, getting to know each other to save face seemed the likely option, add in a child coming to stay with them, a mystery to be solved and this was an enjoyable book to read.
I also enjoyed catching up with other characters that have been in previous stories.

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

[Melinda Hennies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I loved the Knight Hockey team and Nina and Lanes story is perfect.
Both Nina and Lane grew up with Hockey father's.. Nina owns the Busy Bee Bakery and is friends with many of the WAG on Knights team and they want Nina to come to Vegas for the big New Years Party.
Lane is new on the Knights team and must attend this New Years party.. When Nina and Lane meets Nina's eyes and is smitten.
When a hypnotist works his magic Nina and Lane find themselves married and the talk of the hockey world.
When life throws them a nephew and a niece, life just gets better for Lane and Nina. They find that it all happened for a reason and they find its the best life for them and their children, along with the wonderful town of Cobbiton and Knights hockey!

[Brinnsbookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started off a little too cheesy for me (and I love cheesy holiday stories), but it quickly got better! I fell in love with the characters and the complexity the author added to what could have been a very formulaic story.

This was my first book by this author and now I want to read her other books, especially the ones related to the other characters in this book! Be aware though that if you are interested in the other characters' stories this one will spoil some of their story lines. However, as a romance reader this isn't a problem for me.

I definitely recommend this book if you like hockey romances, want a New Year's themed story, and characters with complex situations. Oh! And it's closed door, so the tension is pretty great!

[Carmen Parks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute, feel-good romance that highlights second chances, self-reflection, and the magic of fresh beginnings. Set against the hopeful backdrop of New Year’s celebrations, the story delivers cozy vibes, emotional growth, and just enough tension to keep the pages turning. I found the characters to be relatable and imperfect. Their personal struggles and emotional baggage add depth to the romance, making their journey toward love feel earned rather than rushed despite the quick beginnings. The pacing does seem slow in the middle. Though the plot seems a little familiar and predictable at times, the resolution ties everything together in a way that feels true to the characters and the story’s hopeful message.

[Michele Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lane Jr and Nina have a strangely connected past, but their present and future is where the story lies. It is a GREAT story! Married while hypnotized, so funny and it was so pure! Every obstacle for them seems to come from their dads and his sister, even if they didn’t know they got married until after, they stuck by and encouraged each other. This was a very good story about so many things, finding yourself, your life partner, building your made family and loving those around you, it was a great read! The web that is woven and the intricacies in this story were so well done and some were absolute shockers. My thing now is, Coach Badaszek needs his own story!!

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Year's Ever After is a charming, accidentally married, romantic comedy. This well written book bubbles with Ms. Hall's signature ability to craft found families from impossible situations. I felt like I was watching Nina and Lane in Las Vegas and back in Cobbiton. The chemistry between these two, the troubles from their past, and the new situations hey encountered kept me reading way into the wee hours. I have loved all the books in the series but this one may be my favorite yet! It has so much heart and magic! I also loved the wise step-mother/mother-in-law Sabrina.

[The Flipped Page (Susan K) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, contemporary sports romance

Romance, sweet, contemporary, sports, hockey; series but stand alone read
Nina and Lane’s story, told from alternating points of view was a fun addition to this series. The premise seemed a bit of a stretch, but two honest hearts us one if my favorite types of romances. Loved how they came together after struggling through different crises, and still found each other again with the help of friends and their true hearts.
Lovely, sweet romance.

[Becky (IG: BeckysBookHaven) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a cute story! I loved the story of family and love. There were a few surprises that were fun too! I loved Lane’s softness even as a professional hockey player. I really enjoyed reading about Nina’s support and love, putting family first. The theme of family, support and love made this one a really special one. Oh! Nina’s friends were so fun too!

Troupes:
Accidental marriage
Hockey sports romance
Found family
Kisses only, closed door


(I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.)