Her Goal

Love in Hockey Town #3

by Ellie Hall

He was the boy next door. She never had a crush on him, no matter what anyone says. Now, her parents are arranging their marriage, but she can’t say, I do to her best friend’s brother.

Hudson
My coach wants me to take figure skating lessons so I can gracefully pivot around the net. That’s a whole lot of hockey hooey if you ask me. Making matters worse, the class is with my sister’s best friend, who I’m convinced hates me after what happened back in high school.

Leah
It’s no secret that I’m looking for my very own hockey hero for a happily ever after. When my parents invite my best friend’s brother to their anniversary party, they attempt to arrange our marriage. My life goal is not with the goalie, thank you very much.

Hudson
We’re faced with something of a Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet reversal—she said it’s her favorite, so I read it. Since she’s totally over me and I shouldn’t be interested in her, I set her up on a few dates that go sideways, which does not help me shake these newfound feelings.

Leah
As we spend more time together—on and off the ice—I can’t escape the scent of evergreens. Could I still be pining? My family has zero boundaries, and it turns out we don’t either because when his lips land on mine, a decade’s worth of fireworks explodes between us.

Hate to love might work in romance, but in real life, never. Then why can’t we stay away from each other?

Her Goal is the PERFECT fit if you
•Hate to love
•Arranged marriage
•Sister’s best friend/best friend’s brother
•Pining
•Small town romcom
•Big chaotic families
•Closed-door no cheating, no swears, just sweet & swoony kisses

This is a clean, sweet, closed door hockey romcom with lots of sweet kisses and a happily ever after. Lace up your skates and get ready to laugh, swoon, and have all the swoopy heart flutters!

Genres: Hockey Romance, Sports, Audiobook, Clean Romance, Romance, Rom Com, Hockey

1 pages, Audio CD

Published February 10, 2026

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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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The Love List Series

The Swoon List

The Not Love List

The Crush List

The Kiss List

The Naughty or Nice List

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Love, Laughs, and Mystery in Coco Key

The Romance Situation

The Romance Fiasco

The Romance Game

The Romance Gambit

The Christmas Romance Wish

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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

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute reverse grumpy/sunshine hockey rom-com.. Adorable and funny, with sweet, sassy characters..

[Michelle Dodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clean romance. It is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone.

Leah has grown up in Cobbiton, Nebraska. She loves it and hockey. Hudson was recently traded and is now a goalie for the hockey team in his hometown of Cobbiton. He never wanted to go back. However, now he is. Leah had grown up next door to Hudson and Hunter, his twin. She always had a crush on Hunter bu Hudson is her nemesis. Can they get along to get his career back on track? What happens when her parents decide that they are arranging a marriage with her and Hudson?

I am enjoying this series. Love the clean romance and the hockey players. It has a couple of twists and turns, and kept me engaged in the story.

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

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

After meeting Leah in His Jersey, I was excited to see her again. She finally got her hockey player, but not quite who/how she imagined. This is not your normal best friend’s brother trope, but I enjoyed the little twist. Ellie Hall books are fun but do take a bit to get use to the writing style. This book can be read as a standalone, but it makes so much more sense/is more enjoyable if you read the others first.

[Shauna Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story.
Finding love, in spite of past misunderstandings and bad feelings. Leah has always loved hockey and her goal was to marry a professional hockey player so he would understand her passion. Hudson is a hockey goalie and has known Leah since they were kids playing hockey in the street but she now seems to dislike him and he doesn’t know why. When Hudson is ordered to take figure skating lessons, Leah, a figure skating champion, is hired for the task. As they interact Leah begins to wonder if her image of Hudson is true or something she was wrongfully led to believe. Mix in a series of secret adversary letters and a mysterious twin with a checkered past and you have a wonderful story you’ll enjoy. I received an early copy and this is my honest review.

[Tampatha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her Goal by Ellie Hall is a delightful, heart-warming read that offered everything I wanted in a sweet, closed-door romance—and then some! In true me fashion, I jumped into this series at book 3, but it didn’t take long for me to fall in love with the characters and story. This is my first time reading Hall, and I really enjoyed this book—so much so that I’m already looking forward to going back and diving into the other books of the Love in Hockey Town series. (Just a note, you can easily read this one without the others)

At its heart, Her Goal is the perfect blend of fun and tenderness. The story features Leah and Hudson, two characters who are the definition of opposites attract. Leah is not a fan of Hudson—after all, he’s her best friend’s twin brother and for as long as she's known him, she's not liked him. However, when her parents start planning their wedding, and his coach has her tutoring him in the nuances of figure skating, the fiery tension between them makes it impossible to ignore the spark that’s been there all along. There’s a definite Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet reverse vibe to their relationship (yes, that kind of tension and spark), which immediately hooked me.

The family meddling adds so much to the charm. The team banter is top notch! The small-town hockey setting is a perfect backdrop for their story, and the secret adversary letters that add a fun bit of intrigue are absolutely fabulous. I had so much fun reading those! The blend of sports, family dynamics, and romance really makes this book feel like the perfect read for a cozy afternoon.


Hudson and Leah’s "fire and ice" dynamic is everything. Hudson’s hockey passion and laid-back charm pair perfectly with Leah’s cool, composed figure-skater persona, and watching them slowly start to unravel each other’s barriers is a joy. There's plenty of pining, shenanigans, and laugh-out-loud moments, but there’s also real emotional depth. The writing is engaging and pulls you right into the small-town charm of their world.

Overall, this was a lighthearted and easy-to-love romance with all the right ingredients—romantic tension, family drama, lovable characters, and a sweet happily-ever-after. I couldn’t stop smiling while reading, and I’m already looking forward to seeing what else this series has in store. A perfect pick for anyone in need of a charming, low-drama romance with plenty of heart.

It was a pleasure to read, and I’ll definitely be back for more of Ellie Hall’s books! I had forgotten how much I enjoy closed door romances and this book was a great reminder for me.

Thank you to Ellie & Booksprout for the book and setting me on this adventure. I'm happy to go :)

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hudson and Leah are the furthest from any kinda dream team you could muster. Opposite attracts,ex boyfriend’s brother. Is there any other tropes you could cluster together to make them work .Leah can’t think straight ,how could she take her exes brother as her mate? It’s the devil at work. Hudson,is a hockey player ,a goalie to be exact ,his coach thinks that figure skating could improve his game ,he thinks it’s rather lame but spending time with Leah ? Damn! She doesn’t want a bar of this man ,especially a goalie, nope no can do. She’s not going there with him ,it’d be pretty dim ,with her exes bro ,is she going there? No! You see though get this Hudson does just that and grows to love her. It’s not his goal ( excuse the pun) but is it hers? Even though she’s being ever so terse and he’s the ,last man in the universe she would date ,more likely to be the man that she’d most like to hate. You get the gist? So why now are they embraced in a kiss? He’s one of the boys next door and she wanted the other one no more as she’d been there done that and he’s really not all that .. But had she been with the wrong one all along ? Her parents have her marriage arranged in their head to her ex boyfriend’s brother …Oh brother but she has no choice but to play along . It’s her parents anniversary party and guess who they’ve invited too . Oh look Leah we’ve got a plus one for you . He falls first but he’s convinced he hasn’t a chance because of what happened at the high school dance? Or was it some other happenstance instead? ..With the scent of evergreen still in the air,do these two go there and find out that actually they do care about each other and fall in love? You’ll have to buy the book and find out if they have . This slow burn ,small town romcom by Ellie Hall has all the best tropes and a potential suitor who acts like a dope kinda has you feeling hope for an happy ending ,it’s more like a tiger you’re hoping of befriending when Hudson tries to have Leah come around when he realises that his love for her is so profound and trending . Ellie Hall’s writing is the best ,these comedy romances of her there’s no contest. Everyone knows I love her books ,I’ve read enough just take a look at my other reviews ,it’s not really news . Happy and blessed these books of hers are and with none of that open door business .This is strictly closed door, funny and sunny reading with a little angst to force them to take a chance on each other with maybe ine doing the pleading and making them both maybe make an oath to each other . Ellie Hall ,gotta love her.

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

Her Goal is a cute, quirky, light hearted, hockey romance that takes place in Cobbiton, Nebraska, otherwise known as Hockey Town, USA. I loved getting to know Leah and Hudson! Their relationship was unconventional but endearing. When I saw one of the tropes was arranged marriage, I was immediately curious. It was fun to watch that play out on the pages.

Hudson won me over immediately. He is such a golden retriever, a complete sweetheart and fierce protector. Once he decided to make Leah his, that man turned on the charm! The way her wooed her and pursued her was super swoony. He was so laid back and easy going (until someone tried to get handsy with his girl).

Leah has a lot of unique qualities but I like her! I can relate to her ADHD tendencies - unfinished projects, struggles with tidiness, and overwhelming thoughts. I can also relate to comments from school days sticking with you into adulthood. I hated hearing how her self esteem was affected but loved watching Hudson build her back up. I was initially caught off guard by the things she said in the emails but liked how she explained it in the end. I was also second hand embarrassed for her several times but it just made her more lovable. Leah’s family was a force to be reckoned with. Their crazy antics had me laughing and their lack of tact had me covering my face.

It was so much fun catching up with other Knights players and their leading ladies. I love Coach Badaszek! I would love for him to get his own story and a second chance at love.

Favorites:
❤️ Howie the gnome
❤️Team welcome party
❤️Hudson showing up at the Harvest Carnival
❤️”Touch her and die.”
❤️ “I’m the Golden Retriever, but she’s my catnip.”
❤️P&P references + Deliverymen in period costume
❤️He sends her gifts while he’s at away games
❤️ “I also want to be yours.”
❤️ “You have me if you want me.”
❤️Black diamonds
❤️Promposal style invite to HoCo
❤️”Who hurt you?”
❤️Dream Girl
❤️ “I’d like to find out what he was missing.”
❤️Drawing in the closet

Her Goal is a low angst, kisses only, hockey romance with fun banter, unorthodox matchmaking and a hockily ever after!

Thank you Ellie Hall for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Lindsey Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️

Elli Hall delivers a wonderful book that is perfectly balanced between romance, humor, and the perfect touch of drama. I know that whenever I pick up a book by Ellie I am going to enjoy it. Her Goal provided me with laughter, swooning, and the added tension of realizing you like someone you never thought you would. I loved the hockey elements, the relationship between our two MCs, and watching the feelings unfold while they work together.

Growing up together, Leah and Hudson have had a relationship that is more antagonistic than friendly. Leah was always drawn more to Hudson’s twin brother, in every way. Over the years Hudson watched his brother string Leah along, never giving her exactly what she wanted, and then leave her behind, never contacting her again. When Leah and Hudson are brought together again, by way of Hudson’s coach wanting him to take figure skating lessons to strengthen his hockey skills, the fun unfolds.

These two are fire and ice who find a nice balance as the story continues. Leah’s parents are meddlers, but truly want the best for their daughter. When they started to push an arranged marriage I laughed and grimaced all the same time. As they spend more and more time together, they each learn things about the other that shed some light on their past and why their relationship was the way it was. I couldn’t get enough of Hudson fighting for Leah’s affection and proving to her that he was the brother she wanted all along.

Ellie wrote an amazing story, full of fun, laughter, but raw emotion as well. The life Hudson grew up in made my heart ache for him and wanted to see him find true happiness. As both MCs learn to open up to new experiences and feelings, their story was impossible to not fall in love with. The book also featured characters from previous books in this series, even though each can be read as a stand alone. Love in Hockey Town is a sweet, closed door romance, hockey series that I highly recommend you read!

As always, review any author notes before reading.

What to Expect:
🏒Hate to Love
💙Arranged Marriage
🏒Wrong Brother
💙Black Cat FMC
🏒Golden Retriever MMC
💙Town Romance
🏒Closed Door Romance

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great story with another Hockey Town player kinda getting set up when his coach wants him to take figure skating lessons. This is an awesome enemy to lovers Romcom. Each story is fine as a stand alone story although there is a lot of history of the other characters on the team if read in order. This series involves the Nebraska Knights who are also featured in the Nebraska Knights Holiday Hockey Romance Series.

Hudson doesn't have found memories of Cobbitton where he grew up with his twin brother and a mom who didn't take care of them. His family lived next door to Leah who wanted a relationship with his twin. His twin jerked her along never giving her the relationship she wanted then he left town and never contacted her again. There was always animosity with Leah and Hudson and he didn't really know why she never liked him. Now his coach wants Leah to give him private skating lessons to help him as a goalie.

Leah wants to marry a hockey player but with most of the Knights already paired off she may have to look elsewhere. That is until Hudson comes back to town to join the Knights and now her parents have decided to arrange a marriage with him and they tell the whole town. Spending time with Hudson while practicing his skating has her starting to find out things she never knew about him. She always thought he felt too good to spend time with her family and he revealed, it was his brother that made him stay away.

Within the fun times of this book there is some really sad insights into how Hudson grew up. His upbringing actually made him a better man and a stronger player. He never thought he had a chance with Leah while growing up but his aim was to try and protect her from getting hurt by his brother.

Maybe Leah will discover that an arranged marriage with Hudson is what she really wants.

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]

I adored this book. The two main characters make an irresistible combo, even if they are fighting at the beginning, and I do mean fighting. Bring out the boxing gloves and cue the Rocky music. Welcome to Cobbiton a/k/a Hockey Town, where hockey is king and everything about the town revolves around hockey.

Leah has a beautiful soul buried underneath her cranky outer shell. She has some massive walls around her heart, and actually around her whole being, made of impenetrable steel. The center of her testiness has just arrived back in town to join the Knights. She is not happy to see Hudson, the twin of the boy who broke her heart in high school.

Hudson knows this is his last shot at hockey. He is back where it all started. When he sees Leah, he is a little taken aback at her attitude toward him. The rays of hatred coming off her would blister you. Now he has to be up and close and personal on the ice because the coach is making him work with a figure skater, which happens to be Leah. He is already grumbling about figure skating. After all, he is a brute hockey goalie. He does not need to twirl around on the ice. This man is about to get a lesson in just how athletic figure skaters really are.

Being up close and personal, with her family looking over your shoulder, gives new meaning to forced proximity. Leah's family is a hoot. I laughed at their antics and their lack of tact, while imagining the looks of horror on both Leah and Hudson's faces.

This was my kind of romantic comedy. It had just the right amount of comedy, but it also some serious scenes that tugged on my heart. It definitely had You've Got Mail vibes that were a little one-sided, but they definitely made me laugh. Even if you are not into hockey romances, you will not be able to resist this diamond.

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

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reader’s Notes:

– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone

– this is told from Hudson & Leah’s points of view

-it is mentioned that a character grew up with a parent who constantly had a new significant other & left once the character turned 18 (past events)

Review:

I remember Leah from previous books in this series and I was happily surprised by how her story ended up going! I loved getting to know her and Hudson, as well as the people in her family! I loved the unconventional ignition set for their happily ever after. Arranged marriage isn’t a trope typically used in contemporary stories, but the way Ellie Hall did it for Leah & Hudson not only made sense, but also didn’t feel like either of them were really forced into it. They just took a little convincing that their feelings for each other were already on board with the whole situation. 😂 I also loved getting to see what Leah & Hudson were like when they were younger. It made a lot of their interactions not only make more sense but so much more full knowing about their past.

I can’t wait for the next Nebraska Knights book!

Summary:

Hudson has been in rut with his hockey skills of late and was honestly surprised to be picked up by any team with his recent track record on the ice. Though of course the switch would mean he’d have to return to his hometown of Cobbiton, a place of some good, bad, and undecided memories. One person he didn’t expect to run into was his childhood frenemy/neighbor Leah. And when her family invites him to their celebration, Hudson certainly never expected them to say that the two of them were getting married. Not with how much Leah avoids him at all costs…

Leah loves all things hockey and is determined to find her happily ever after with a hockey player, or at the very least another enthusiastic fan of the Knights. But so far any attempt has fallen through and no one has caught her heart yet. And though the Knights just traded for a new goalie, Leah has absolutely no intention of pursuing him. Not when growing up he’d hurt her feelings and seemed to snub her family events. But when her well-meaning family makes an announcement that Leah is going to marry Hudson, she has to do something to make things right between them. Because Hudson doesn’t deserve to be dragged into her family’s chaos, no matter how much of the past makes her think the worst of him…

[Elizabeth D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.7

Yes, finally a book thar starts with pranks and sarcasm and ends with it too! Love a book that keeps the chaotic energy throughout. Loved the very creative insults that were helpfully sent via email.

This was a slow burn, enemies to lovers story. It followed the best friends brother genera, but it had an interesting twist. Her best friend wasnt great, he was rather manipulative and kept her from his brother not from protection but selfishness. This added some deeper discussions into the story that I found refreshing.

Leah was so spunky and sassy, you couldn't help falling for her. Sometimes it would press towards the annoying amount, but not to the extent of dropping the book. She is rather headstrong, so it takes a while for her to recognize when she's wrong.

Hudson is a gentle giant, kind and patient. He sees the distance Leah seems to have for him, and while he's confused why she's like that, he doesnt blame her or push her. He never gets mad at her, for her insults or warming up then pulling away. He's patient, wanting her to realize hes a good guy. At one point hes convinced she doesnt like him and, knowing she's interested in Hockey players, he makes it clear he'd be more then happy to date, but still offers to set her up with other players. He doesn't force his affection on her at all. Through his kindness and patience, they become friends. While he wants to develop the relationship into more then friends, knowing she feels the attraction too, he respects her too much to force the relationship. We love a green flag giant.

[Kelli M. Stowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leah and Hudson’s story was a rollercoaster on their way to their Hockily Ever After!

This was such a fun read. It checked so many of my favorite trope boxes. Hate to love? Check. Small town? Check. Hockey player? Check. Best friend’s brother AND brother’s best friend AND boy next door? Check, check, and check!

I especially enjoyed the twist that Hudson is the boy next door and Leah’s best friend’s brother as well as Leah being Hudson’s brother’s best friend. It casts aside the best friends to lovers (even if she thought she wanted that all along) and turns it into a “wrong brother” situation.

The cast of side characters are zany and delightful! It was fun to meet Leah’s family as well as getting glimpses of the other Knights players and the women who love them. It’s always fun to revisit characters from previous books and this one is full of them!

The premise of this book is just quirky enough to work. Leah’s family goes full tilt on the arranged marriage and it was fun to see Leah and Hudson figure out how they were going to make it work after YEARS of hatred and miscommunication.

Oh! And Howie the hockey gnome was such a fun addition to their story too.

This black cat/golden retriever, small town hockey romance is full of perfect banter and a slow burn totally worth the wait. It is this 3rd book in the Love in Hockey Town series and has ties to 3 other series in the Knights Hockey universe.

[Coffeenbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

- Hockey romance
- Small town romance
- Enemies to more
- Gnome antics
- Reverse grumpy/sunshine

I was drawn into this story from the first chapter. I do love books about coming home, especially to make peace with the past.

Hudson is a goalie that has just been traded and is pretty much on his last chance to stay in the NHL. The team, the Knights, is based in his home town of Cobbiton, which is now known as Hockey Town. He never dreamed he would return as his whole family left as soon as they could.

When Leah finds out Hudson is moving back to town...and across the street from her best friend, she takes this opportunity to return the gnome that turned up everywhere...she thinks courtesy of Hudson.

Leah really liked Hudson's twin Hunter. Hunter strung her along, hinting he may return the feelings, but hasn't contacted her in years. Hunter pointed the finger at Hudson for many of the pranks pulled across town and Leah has never forgiven Hudson for the antics.

To improve his game, Hudson's coach tasks him with taking ice skating lessons, specifically figure skating. And as luck would have it, Leah is the figure skating coach in town.

As they spend more time together, Leah starts to really wonder if everything she thought about Hudson is true....

I really enjoyed reading this book and catching up with some of the characters from this author's past books.

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

[Melinda Hennies · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read about Leah and Hudson.
Leah is the biggest hockey fan since her youth. She has big plans for Cobbiton and for a Hockey Town museum.
Hudson is a goalie and finds him back in his hometown playing for the Knights. Hudson has lots of memories, not many happy. Hudson knows this is an important trade.
When coach tells him he must take figure skating lesson to help with his balance, Leah is his teacher.
Through the years Hudson has been relieving hate emails. Hudson has never replied until recently, yet he finds them intriguing.
Hudson is greeted by his hockey team members who welcome him with open arms.
Leah gave up her skating career and works at the diner, her life is a bit of a mess but she decides the extra income will be helpful.
Leah is a bit tough on Hudson but he follows all her instructions. Leah had the biggest crush on Hudsons twin growing up, until he just disappeared.
Leah's family take over when her grandma has a dream she has find The Chosen One.
Leah's parents invite Hudson to the anniversary party at the Smiths. Hudson is excited.. more time with Leah, Leah is upset is she does not want Hudson there.
Hudson finds he is The Chosen one and they plan a wedding for them.
Through all the drama and commotion, Hudson just wants to win Leah's love.
When wedding day happens it is the best day in Hockey Town and the lives of Hudson and Leah.

[Liberty Munson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook and loved it. Great narration bringing Hudson and Leah's love story to life. The "wrong" twin brother comes back to Hockey Town to save his career and comes face to face with his (unknown) adversary who was his brother's best friend in high school; she hoped for more with his brother, and he took advantage of that, pulling her into crazy pranks and treating her badly... only she didn't see it at the time. Through her relationship with Hudson, she starts to realize that maybe the right twin came home after all.

This book is full of laughs, love, removing the rose-colored glasses to see the past for what it really was, recognizing that it's easy to make assumptions about behaviors when you don't know the full story and how difficult it is to let go of those misperceptions, and finding out who you really are and what you really want out of life. Leah's family is outrageous (in the best way), the arranged marriage elements work (trust me, they do), the emails from the adversary, the meet cute "burglary" (although is it a burglary when you're putting something back?), gnomes, hockey friendships that are found families, and Liam's pep talks, which are totally hilarious if you've read His Wife.

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Who would have guessed that two amazing people would agree to an arranged marriage? Hudson, a handsome hockey goalie, and Leah, an ice skater and former neighbor when growing up, meet again years
later when Hudson joins the Knights hockey team. So many shared memories but clouded by individual memories of Hudson's twin brother, Hunter. Somehow thanks to her large Latino family's "help" a marriage is arranged. What a terrific story that made my heart fill with joy and laughter.

Wonderful characters, many were familiar friends from previous Hockey Town books. The book was filled with vivid descriptions of locations and activities that made the reader feel like they were part of the story. The pacing that allowed further feelings of being in the story. All these elements combined to make it an awesome reader experience!

I must confess that I was never a hockey fan. I never dreamed a series like this could change my opinions about the game, the egos, and the closeness of the team members. However this series has captivated me and I honestly hope it goes on for many more stories!

[Michelle Kssili · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leah never thought for a million years that Hudson would return home. He needed to return home to regroup. Hudsons coach feels he "is an underdog story in the making"), so he must take figure skating lessons. This will help him in blocking the puck from entering the net. Leah has been asked to help him. Even though she is hesitant, she does agree. While attending Leah's parents' anniversary party, they surprise her and tell both they will be planning their wedding. What a shocker! In Leah's defense, she did warn Hudson not to come.

Imagine having an arranged marriage just because your grandmother has a vision. "This is the chosen one." Did Leah secretly have a thing for Hudson instead of his twin Hunter? Sometimes, our mind can play tricks on us. Leah eventually becomes Hudson's motivation.

This book (minus chap 24) is filled with laughter. I especially love the emails sent between Leah and Hudson. I get a feeling Hudson knows who is writing him. The author gives the reader a sense as if they are a part of the story. Finding love in spite of the past. Second chances are well deserved.

[Reann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her Goal: Love in Hockey Town, Book 3 is an absolute delight and a definite 5-star read!

From the very first page, I was completely hooked and didn't want to stop reading—this book is a certified stay-up-past-your-bedtime kind of novel. The author expertly delivers on the hate-to-love trope with an irresistible slow-burn that makes every interaction sizzle.

Hudson, the hockey goalie with a need for figure skating lessons, is the cutest MMC! His internal struggle with Leah and his unexpected Mr. Darcy approach to their situation made him incredibly endearing. And speaking of Leah, I instantly connected with her desire for her own "hockey hero" and her frustration over her family's complete lack of boundaries. Their arranged marriage situation, combined with the best friend's brother dynamic, sets the stage for hilarious, chaotic, and swoony fun.

If you love closed-door, small town romcoms with sweet, swoony kisses, big chaotic families, and a happily ever after, this book is the perfect fit. It's clean, witty, and guaranteed to give you all the swoopy heart flutters.

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

[Jenny x Carolena · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I'm typically a fan of Ellie Hall's books, Her Goal didn't quite capture me the way her previous works have. The premise is charming—a hate-to-love, arranged marriage setup between best friend's brother Hudson (a hockey goalie) and Leah (a figure skater with specific relationship goals) and the small-town, big-family dynamics offer plenty of opportunities for sweet moments. However, I found myself not getting sucked into the story as quickly as I usually do with this author's romances.

That said, it's a cute read with all the clean romance tropes fans of the genre will appreciate: closed-door kissing, no cheating or swearing, and that swoony happily ever after. The Pride and Prejudice reversal element was a nice touch, and the hockey-meets-figure-skating dynamic had potential. If you're looking for a light, wholesome romance with chaotic families and sweet chemistry, this might work for you—it just didn't quite hit the mark for me personally compared to Hall's other books.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Lisa Benison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clean, Fun, Hockey Story in a Small Hockey Town

I liked this book, and have read the others in the series although I think it would work as a standalone. I did find this one hit me differently though, mostly because I just couldn't relate to Leah. She was more than grumpy, in that she was so angry and stubborn she just couldn't get past it to improve her lot in life (awful unsafe apartment, dead-end job etc.). And initially she isn't willing to consider that there could be a different version to her perception of how Hudson and his twin (who ghosted her years ago) treated her when they were in high school. Eventually Hudson gets past her walls and she does become more likable, but I honestly did not enjoy this book as much as the others in the series. I will keep reading them however and look forward to the next one that comes out.

I was sent an ARC by the author and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[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.

Hudson needs the help of his childhood neighbor to improve his skating skills. Although he and Leah haven’t always seen eye-to-eye, she reluctantly agrees.

Her Goal is the third book in the Love in Hockey Town series. Each of the books in this series can be enjoyed as stand-alones and they are all closed-door.

This is probably the most “low angst” arranged marriage romance that I’ve come across. While the MCs are quite the opposites, it doesn’t take much convincing for them to express their feelings. They do have prior history, having grown up next door to one another, so it’s not like they are two strangers being thrown together. While Leah’s family is a little (a lot) unhinged in their approach, I think the idea of arranged marriage works well within the context of the story. I haven’t come across many contemporary romances (especially closed-door) with an arranged marriage but if any one can make it work, Ellie Hall can. Also, special thanks to the author for including a roster at the end of the book showing all of her fictional hockey teams and which of her characters plays for what team and in which of her books. I love when this kind of info is included and it is very helpful!

Overall, Her Goal, is another fun addition to this sports romance series. I look forward to seeing what Ellie Hall has next for her readers.

[Kaci Bonar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a best friend’s sibling to more unlike anything you have ever read before.  There are layers in this story that might make your thoughts flip on end.

Leah, lifelong resident of the Cobbiton/Omaha area, current waitress, and perhaps one of hockey’s biggest fans ever!  Her life was seemingly normal until her teenage nemesis got traded to the Nebraska Knights hockey team!  This man has received her ire for years and the tension is thick throughout the entire book until some unexpected kindnesses are shown.  Leah gets her larger-than-life personality from her family, who is always around (for the good food and party)! 

Hudson, hockey goalie, self-made man, and the thorn in Leah’s side for over a decade.  Hudson never asked to be a twin or to be traded back to the hometown team after years of being away, yet that was the hand he was dealt!  Upon moving back in he was welcomed with loving arms by his new teammates and a surprise blast from the past in the form of Howie the Gnome.  His new coach also wanted to see that he tightens up some of his skills and insisted he get some figure skating lessons to do just that.  Lucky him, Leah ended up getting the task placed on her shoulders when someone else was a little too busy!

One thing about the small town of Cobbiton is everyone knows everything…except probably the real reason behind her animosity and his true feelings.  This book is a black cat/golden retriever trope to the extreme, but as past truths come out feelings evolve in unforeseen ways.  Leah doesn’t need to be as tough as she is, and Hudson shouldn’t resent all things that Cobbiton is.  Home is where the heart is and when you let your guard down, that’s when love can truly flourish the most!
4.5/5

[Elaine Coghlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her Goal ~ Love in Hockey Town #3 by Ellie Hall

Her Goal is another wonderful addition to Ellie Hall’s Love in Hockey Town series. I absolutely love Ellie’s writing—her descriptive words bring every scene and emotion vividly to life.

Leah and Hudson were neighbours when they were younger, and now their parents are trying to arrange their marriage. But will it work? Can Hudson and Leah find true love despite their complicated past?

This story blends some of my favorite tropes—hate to love, arranged marriage, and sister’s best friend/best friend’s brother—all wrapped up in a charming small-town romcom setting. Ellie Hall has written this book exceptionally well, delivering a clean, heartfelt romance that’s both fun and uplifting.

An enjoyable, feel-good read that I definitely recommend!

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

MC: Hudson Robo..somthing (j/k Roboveitchek) and Leah Smith, First Person dual POV

This is my first foray into the Nebraska Knights and I thoroughly enjoyed it. There were some twists to typical tropes and plot lines which made it refreshing. There were lots of laugh out loud moments, character quirks and

The periphery characters (hockey team, her friends, her family) bring so much life to the book without bogging it down.

Recommend this to anyone who loves: hockey romance, small towns, brother's best friend, best friend's brother, arranged engagement (not to be confused with fake engagement or arranged marriage), meddling family members, large family, close-knit hockey team

Related books: This is Book 3 in the Love in Hockey Town series

I read an ARC copy of the book and this is my honest review.

[Monae Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Hockey sports romance. This story is funny, cute and sweet.

Hudson is the boy next door and she never had a crush on him, no matter what anyone says. Her parents invited her best friend’s brother to their anniversary party and arranged their marriage. Leah is not happy.

His coach has him take figure skating lessons from Leah to help him as a Hockey goalie. Leah got her feelings hurt back in high school and she starts sending him hateful e-mails in which she never intended to hit send. Of course he receives the e-mails and reads them. He does send replies to her e-mails. They start spending time together and they fall for each other. Hudson starts to read Pride & Prejudice. They realize that they are having an Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy reversal.

There is lots of cute moments in this story and sweet moments that I enjoyed. This was a good book.

[Shana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quote I enjoyed:

“You challenge me in all the good ways. Only difference is we’re playing for the same team. We have the same goal. A hockalie every after.”

Being back in Cobbiton, Nebraska is like that coming home feeling. I just love this small town and how it makes you feel. The hockey team, The Knights is like one big family. While this is an enemies to more and best friend’s brother with a spin which made the story more enjoyable. I loved how Leah’s family meddled and I was here for it. The way Leah changed her way of thinking about the past when her and Hudson was younger showed so much growth. Overall a cute story.

This is book 3 in the Love in Hockey Town series. A closed door, clean read story that can be read as a standalone.

Listened to on @hoopladigital
Narrated by Carolyn Eve and Derek Drysart

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun audio book to listen to, with narrators who did a very nice job with the voices. This story definitely had many lighthearted comedic moments, yet these two characters also had some things from their pasts that were hurtful and had impacted them in their lives. It was interesting to see the way Hudson had tried to let go of the past while Leah had allowed some hurtful moments to really impact the way she viewed herself. She had also carried a lot of anger around because of her memories of these events.

I really enjoyed seeing Leah begin to realize that she had pegged Hudson all wrong from the very beginning. And even as they found themselves being "arranged" into a marriage together, the time they spent toward the end of the book getting to know each other was my favorite of the story!

I received a complimentary copy of this audio book. All opinions are my own.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free audiobook and am voluntarily leaving a review.

* This is book 3 in the Love in Hockey Town series, but can be read as a standalone
* First person dual pov
* Spice: kisses that don't get too heated

The narrators did a great job of drawing me into Leah and Hudson’s story. Their voices and tones reflected the characters’ personalities well. I didn't want to stop listening to Leah and Hudson's entertaining story.

Leah had a picture of what she wanted her life to look like, But Hudson changed things for her a bit. He challenged her, just like she challenged him. And once they got past their misunderstandings, they had a sweet friendship. I also loved that both of them had the friendship and support of the Knights, as well as Leah's chaotic family. All that I mentioned is sure to keep readers interested and enjoying this wholesome story.

[Dawn aka wolfinbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

“A hockily ever after.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Are you ready for an icetastic time? Grab a cup of cocoa and curl up with this swoony, closed door, romcom! Small town, second chances, enemies to lovers, fake dating, arranged marriage, found family, and stolen gnomes oh my!:) Leah is tasked with giving figure skating lessons to Hudson, an NHL hockey goalie, and also her best friends twin brother. Her familia has no boundaries and arrange/plan their wedding because her abuela says he is the chosen one! Find out if feelings emerge or if they remain adversaries. Now to find a polvorosa recipe! :).
Book publishing on 10/15/25
Thank you Ellie Hall for the complimentary ARC. Review is based on my thoughts and opinions.