Nanny for the Hockey Grump: A Spicy Forced Proximity Off Limits Single Dad Romance

by Aria Bates

I break the no-fraternizing clause with my grumpy, off-limits boss… during a citywide blackout.

I take a hush-hush nanny job and open the door to Mason Cross—NHL legend, single dad, and the last man I should want.

He’s my boss, my paycheck, and completely off-limits.

Then the lights die, the city falls quiet, and one reckless kiss changes everything.

Suddenly the line between forbidden and inevitable is paper thin.

He makes dinosaur pancakes for his son when no one’s looking.

I patch up the bruises he tries to hide.

Late nights turn into lingering glances, soft laughter, and stolen moments that feel too much like home.

But his ex is ruthless, the tabloids swarm, and the team threatens to tear us apart if I stay.

He could lose his son.

I could lose the only family I’ve ever wanted.

And if love costs us everything, I have to wonder—am I brave enough to pay the price?

281 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2025

Reviews

[Molly (hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Caitlin Galena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay this was cute..not your typical hockey romance. It was a weird cadence… a lot of analogies and poetic lines that made the story a little disconnected with the exceptions of the spicy scenes where it turned back into normal conversations. I loved Finn..the special needs aspect was on point, however they did make him seem a lot younger than 7. However the constant analogies and “quiet” references were overkill. Cute story, solid 3.

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolutely terrible. I feel like there were pieces missing and the book was so hard to follow.

[Ysabela · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book was just very confusing for me unfortunately had no clue what was going on🤦🏻‍♀️🥲

[Makenzie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slightly confusing with all of the analogies and overly repetitive. I, like anyone else love a good spicy scene, but some plot in the book would’ve been nice too!