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Peaches and Pucks
One hotel room. One bed.
Zero chance of keeping it professional.
Harry
When I agreed to chaperone the boys’ hockey team, I thought my biggest challenge would be pretending to understand the rules—not being stuck sharing a hotel room with Darius Hall. The P.E. teacher. The human whistle. The man who’s made my Mondays miserable for years.
But somewhere between the bus ride, the tense semifinal, and one very small bed, I start to realize the worst part of Darius Hall might be how much I like him.
Darius
I’ve spent years pretending Harry Peterson doesn’t get under my skin. Easier to tease him than admit I notice everything—his color-coded lesson plans, the cedar-and-coffee smell, that unguarded laugh.
Now we’re stuck sharing a hotel room, and I’m running out of excuses for the way I feel. One bed. One night. And suddenly I can’t decide what’s harder to handle: his endless commentary or how much I miss it when he stops talking.
Peaches and Pucks is a heartwarming novella of rivalry and unexpected connection, where sparks just might fly—on and off the ice
Zero chance of keeping it professional.
Harry
When I agreed to chaperone the boys’ hockey team, I thought my biggest challenge would be pretending to understand the rules—not being stuck sharing a hotel room with Darius Hall. The P.E. teacher. The human whistle. The man who’s made my Mondays miserable for years.
But somewhere between the bus ride, the tense semifinal, and one very small bed, I start to realize the worst part of Darius Hall might be how much I like him.
Darius
I’ve spent years pretending Harry Peterson doesn’t get under my skin. Easier to tease him than admit I notice everything—his color-coded lesson plans, the cedar-and-coffee smell, that unguarded laugh.
Now we’re stuck sharing a hotel room, and I’m running out of excuses for the way I feel. One bed. One night. And suddenly I can’t decide what’s harder to handle: his endless commentary or how much I miss it when he stops talking.
Peaches and Pucks is a heartwarming novella of rivalry and unexpected connection, where sparks just might fly—on and off the ice
212 pages, Paperback
Published February 3, 2026
132 people are currently reading
1242 people want to read
About the author
M.A. Wardell
12 books895 followersI write steamy queer romance and romantic comedies. My goal is to make you laugh and turn you on. Often at the same time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 394 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Peaches and pucks is a short, sweet and (very)spicy novella. It was a quick read and I enjoyed it for the most part.
This is the type of story you have to suspend your disbelief because do I think one for the main characters is immature? Yep. Do I truly believe the relationship could work? No. And the dirty talk.... not for me. But it was a fun read.
If you're in a reading slump or just want to turn off your brain with a quick romance, there you go.
Thank you to the author and Grey's promotions for the ARC.
This is the type of story you have to suspend your disbelief because do I think one for the main characters is immature? Yep. Do I truly believe the relationship could work? No. And the dirty talk.... not for me. But it was a fun read.
If you're in a reading slump or just want to turn off your brain with a quick romance, there you go.
Thank you to the author and Grey's promotions for the ARC.
February 12, 2026
This was really good! I’ve not read a book by this author before and this book was a perfect introduction to his writing! I really loved this. The story was well written and it was really hot! I didn’t expect this level of steam.
Darius and Harry work together as teachers, PE and English teachers respectively. Darius has made Harry’s life difficult in the few years they’ve worked together. Harry has always felt like men who are super masculine and into sports are so different from him and they make him feel out of place. This stems from growing up with his father and brothers being this way and him always feeling on the outside. He thinks of Darius this way so he tries to avoid him. He gets roped into going on an overnight trip with the peewee hockey team that Darius coaches and has to share a room with him. Darius, unbeknownst to Harry, is not straight and has been interested in Harry from the first day Harry started teaching at the school. He just doesn’t know how to show Harry he likes him so he teases him.
This overnight trip gets pretty heated and Darius thinks it’s the beginning of something more but Harry shuts him out. Harry thinks they’re too different and Darius’s world of ultra masculine sports brings back feelings of inadequacy from his younger years. But Harry can’t fight his attraction to Darius.
Darius was pretty clueless but he really had true feelings for Harry. He was very sweet but needed a bit of a snack to get him to grow up and own up to his feelings. Harry had every right to be hesitant. He did sort of lead Darius on though.
I loved the epilogue and this was a fast read that kept me entertained! There was so much sweetness between Darius and Harry!
Thank you to Grey’s Promotions for the ARC
All thoughts and opinions are my own
Darius and Harry work together as teachers, PE and English teachers respectively. Darius has made Harry’s life difficult in the few years they’ve worked together. Harry has always felt like men who are super masculine and into sports are so different from him and they make him feel out of place. This stems from growing up with his father and brothers being this way and him always feeling on the outside. He thinks of Darius this way so he tries to avoid him. He gets roped into going on an overnight trip with the peewee hockey team that Darius coaches and has to share a room with him. Darius, unbeknownst to Harry, is not straight and has been interested in Harry from the first day Harry started teaching at the school. He just doesn’t know how to show Harry he likes him so he teases him.
This overnight trip gets pretty heated and Darius thinks it’s the beginning of something more but Harry shuts him out. Harry thinks they’re too different and Darius’s world of ultra masculine sports brings back feelings of inadequacy from his younger years. But Harry can’t fight his attraction to Darius.
Darius was pretty clueless but he really had true feelings for Harry. He was very sweet but needed a bit of a snack to get him to grow up and own up to his feelings. Harry had every right to be hesitant. He did sort of lead Darius on though.
I loved the epilogue and this was a fast read that kept me entertained! There was so much sweetness between Darius and Harry!
Thank you to Grey’s Promotions for the ARC
All thoughts and opinions are my own
January 31, 2026
Peaches & Pucks was so fun! If you’re looking for something short and super steamy opposites attract romance, I highly recommend!
𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧:
- coworkers
- jock x nerd
- enemies to lovers
- grumpy x sunshine
- forced proximity
- only one bed
- pining
𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧:
- coworkers
- jock x nerd
- enemies to lovers
- grumpy x sunshine
- forced proximity
- only one bed
- pining
March 5, 2026
Cute little novella!
Read
December 24, 2025A very focused novella compared to Wardell’s previous, Stirring Spurs. Where Spurs had a somewhat kaleidoscopic cast (due in large part to the shared setting for multiple books), Peaches and Pucks is narrowly focused on the two main characters, Harry and Darius, with limited side character interactions.
I think this serves the format better than trying to shoehorn in a bunch of other characters, but it does mean that you have to like the two main characters a lot because you’re not going to get much more besides them. Wardell also chose to divide the book into POV sections instead of trading back and forth every chapter, which is a very interesting choice that you don’t often see. I think it works well in the novella format, creating larger structural components divided into chapter-sized bites.
Harry, the English teacher who has a bit of a sports phobia, is by page count and authorial empathy the main main character. Darius, the PE teacher and pee wee hockey coach, gets POV time, but his chapters are often more focused on how much he likes Harry and wants to do right by him after spending the past four years making fun of him. Harry will be very familiar to many gay men who felt an aversion to sports and the masculinity (toxic or not) that surrounds them. Darius is another familiar type (in real life, although perhaps less so in romance books): an out gay man who presents as “straight”.
Wardell spends more of his time exploring Harry’s inner world and his issues with interacting and coming to terms with the world of traditional masculinity (hockey, broing out, eating wings, etc.). But Darius’s plight is not unsympathetically portrayed. As a gay man who is often mistaken for straight in my daily life because of my affect and hobbies, I feel very seen by Darius’s portrayal. He is a short study in how passing can be a burden and not a privilege. I also deeply appreciate that Wardell chose to explore this in the character of an out gay man and eschewed a more typical “gay awakening.” Out gay man like sports, too, and there are plenty of romance-driving issues to explore between out gay men.
Back to the plot. Circumstance brings Harry and Darius together to support their school’s fifth grade hockey team and, confronted with an “only one bed” situation, they immediately start their physical relationship. Harry is like the sun and Darius is a planet, passing into his orbit. The rest of the book shows their push and pull as they try to settle into a stable relationship and avoid crashing and burning or flying apart. Harry’s sports-related trauma serves as the gravitational force that the couple must overcome.
Wardell’s usual facility with pacing is on display, and the story proceeds at a brisk clip while almost never moving too quickly. That is until the “third act break up”, which feels odd in a book this length. It plays out and is resolved over the course of about 18 pages. Had the book been a full novel, I think this would have worked better.
If you’re up for a low angst, sweet, sport-setting quickie, this is probably worth your time. There is also an abundance of rimming in the sex scenes, which is welcome. In my experience, it’s the fastest way to a man’s heart.
I think this serves the format better than trying to shoehorn in a bunch of other characters, but it does mean that you have to like the two main characters a lot because you’re not going to get much more besides them. Wardell also chose to divide the book into POV sections instead of trading back and forth every chapter, which is a very interesting choice that you don’t often see. I think it works well in the novella format, creating larger structural components divided into chapter-sized bites.
Harry, the English teacher who has a bit of a sports phobia, is by page count and authorial empathy the main main character. Darius, the PE teacher and pee wee hockey coach, gets POV time, but his chapters are often more focused on how much he likes Harry and wants to do right by him after spending the past four years making fun of him. Harry will be very familiar to many gay men who felt an aversion to sports and the masculinity (toxic or not) that surrounds them. Darius is another familiar type (in real life, although perhaps less so in romance books): an out gay man who presents as “straight”.
Wardell spends more of his time exploring Harry’s inner world and his issues with interacting and coming to terms with the world of traditional masculinity (hockey, broing out, eating wings, etc.). But Darius’s plight is not unsympathetically portrayed. As a gay man who is often mistaken for straight in my daily life because of my affect and hobbies, I feel very seen by Darius’s portrayal. He is a short study in how passing can be a burden and not a privilege. I also deeply appreciate that Wardell chose to explore this in the character of an out gay man and eschewed a more typical “gay awakening.” Out gay man like sports, too, and there are plenty of romance-driving issues to explore between out gay men.
Back to the plot. Circumstance brings Harry and Darius together to support their school’s fifth grade hockey team and, confronted with an “only one bed” situation, they immediately start their physical relationship. Harry is like the sun and Darius is a planet, passing into his orbit. The rest of the book shows their push and pull as they try to settle into a stable relationship and avoid crashing and burning or flying apart. Harry’s sports-related trauma serves as the gravitational force that the couple must overcome.
Wardell’s usual facility with pacing is on display, and the story proceeds at a brisk clip while almost never moving too quickly. That is until the “third act break up”, which feels odd in a book this length. It plays out and is resolved over the course of about 18 pages. Had the book been a full novel, I think this would have worked better.
If you’re up for a low angst, sweet, sport-setting quickie, this is probably worth your time. There is also an abundance of rimming in the sex scenes, which is welcome. In my experience, it’s the fastest way to a man’s heart.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I don’t want to be mean so I’m just going to say, I’ve read it.
Mild content spoilers ahead:
But…
I did say I don’t want to get mean, so I’ll quit right here.
This was an ARC, all opinions are my own.
Quotes:
And in this moment, with the snow gently falling around us and the rink quiet except for our laughter, I know in my heart, this is one of those nights that's gonna stick with me for a while.
Mild content spoilers ahead:
But…
I did say I don’t want to get mean, so I’ll quit right here.
This was an ARC, all opinions are my own.
Quotes:
And in this moment, with the snow gently falling around us and the rink quiet except for our laughter, I know in my heart, this is one of those nights that's gonna stick with me for a while.
February 9, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to M. A. Wardell and Grey’s Promotions for the advance reader copy of this book in exchange for review. I absolutely adored this book. I’ve loved a lot this authors work before and this was so great.
The book tells the story of Harry Peterson, 5th grade English teacher and Darius Hall, PE teacher and school hockey coach. The book kicks off with Harry agreeing to chaperone an overnight trip with the hockey team. Harry is a character that I related to a lot. I love the relationship between Harry and Darius. I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait for my preordered copy to arrive.
Preorder your copy today. Peaches and Pucks is available on February 2, 20226.
Pre-order your copy today!
Amazon: https://bit.ly/4ovbpX5
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4aklq5N
Thank you to M. A. Wardell and Grey’s Promotions for the advance reader copy of this book in exchange for review. I absolutely adored this book. I’ve loved a lot this authors work before and this was so great.
The book tells the story of Harry Peterson, 5th grade English teacher and Darius Hall, PE teacher and school hockey coach. The book kicks off with Harry agreeing to chaperone an overnight trip with the hockey team. Harry is a character that I related to a lot. I love the relationship between Harry and Darius. I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait for my preordered copy to arrive.
Preorder your copy today. Peaches and Pucks is available on February 2, 20226.
Pre-order your copy today!
Amazon: https://bit.ly/4ovbpX5
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4aklq5N
December 22, 2025
Oh my STARS, Peaches and Pucks was everything I wanted from an MA Wardell hockey book and MORE. I’ve been DYING to read Matt’s take on a hockey romance since he mentioned the possibility a long time ago, and I was SO HONORED that he gave me the opportunity to beta read it. I was laughing from the very first page, fanning myself through every spicy scene, and teared up over the sweet and sad moments between the MMCs. So freaking delightful, and I HIGHLY recommend checking it out!
Peaches and Pucks is a hate to love, opposites attract romance and the MMCs are just delightful. Harry is an English teacher who is roped into chaperoning a bunch of 10 year old hockey players at the last minute with his least favorite coworker, Coach Darius. He’s a bit jaded and not thrilled about having to spend the night (in one bed!) with the man who has made his life so difficult over the years they have worked together, but after some initial friction goofy jock Darius reveals that he’s been teasing him because he LIKES him. Lots of sweet wooing scenes ensue, and I was here for it as Darius tries to make up for his past behavior and win Harry’s heart.
It’s important to note that, while there IS hockey in Peaches and Pucks, it’s not your typical hockey romance. Any on page hockey is played by middle schoolers. However, that doesn’t mean that you don’t get ALL of the sports romance vibes you could have wanted from a gay man writing sports romance. There’s a backwards cap. There is a sports bar with wings. There is more than one scene involving a jock strap. It’s basically jock fantasy written into a book ostensibly about teachers and I am HERE FOR IT ALL.
Y’all this might be one of my favorite things I’ve read by MA Wardell - while I always love his humor, this was hilarious AND I loved that he put himself out there to write hockey. PLEASE check it out, it’s short, sweet, and spicy - you will not be disappointed!
Peaches and Pucks is a hate to love, opposites attract romance and the MMCs are just delightful. Harry is an English teacher who is roped into chaperoning a bunch of 10 year old hockey players at the last minute with his least favorite coworker, Coach Darius. He’s a bit jaded and not thrilled about having to spend the night (in one bed!) with the man who has made his life so difficult over the years they have worked together, but after some initial friction goofy jock Darius reveals that he’s been teasing him because he LIKES him. Lots of sweet wooing scenes ensue, and I was here for it as Darius tries to make up for his past behavior and win Harry’s heart.
It’s important to note that, while there IS hockey in Peaches and Pucks, it’s not your typical hockey romance. Any on page hockey is played by middle schoolers. However, that doesn’t mean that you don’t get ALL of the sports romance vibes you could have wanted from a gay man writing sports romance. There’s a backwards cap. There is a sports bar with wings. There is more than one scene involving a jock strap. It’s basically jock fantasy written into a book ostensibly about teachers and I am HERE FOR IT ALL.
Y’all this might be one of my favorite things I’ve read by MA Wardell - while I always love his humor, this was hilarious AND I loved that he put himself out there to write hockey. PLEASE check it out, it’s short, sweet, and spicy - you will not be disappointed!
February 2, 2026
ARC read
4 ⭐️ 3 🌶️
Synopsis in one sentence: Two rivals, a teacher and PE coach, are forced to share a single hotel room while chaperoning a boys hockey tournament, leading to a long overdue feelings.
Fav character: Darius Hall. He is the perfect grumpy to Harry sunshine; seeing him finally drop his guard and admit his feelings was so sweet.
Fav trope: Rivals to Lovers: loved the tension between these two frenemy teachers.
Fav part: The banter during the bus ride and at the tournament. I loved their bickering and their underlying chemistry.
Didn’t like: Nothing loved it, it was a fun read!
Recommend it: Yes! I loved it
Unique: I love a workplace rivalry and romance. I thought it was a unique way to approach this with characters who think they have nothing in common, only to find they are perfect together!
Part of a Series: No
Unforgettable: Yes, a bunch of soft moment that sticks with you, the banter and the rom-com.
Kindle unlimited: Yes
4 ⭐️ 3 🌶️
Synopsis in one sentence: Two rivals, a teacher and PE coach, are forced to share a single hotel room while chaperoning a boys hockey tournament, leading to a long overdue feelings.
Fav character: Darius Hall. He is the perfect grumpy to Harry sunshine; seeing him finally drop his guard and admit his feelings was so sweet.
Fav trope: Rivals to Lovers: loved the tension between these two frenemy teachers.
Fav part: The banter during the bus ride and at the tournament. I loved their bickering and their underlying chemistry.
Didn’t like: Nothing loved it, it was a fun read!
Recommend it: Yes! I loved it
Unique: I love a workplace rivalry and romance. I thought it was a unique way to approach this with characters who think they have nothing in common, only to find they are perfect together!
Part of a Series: No
Unforgettable: Yes, a bunch of soft moment that sticks with you, the banter and the rom-com.
Kindle unlimited: Yes
January 20, 2026
“Peaches and Pucks” by M.A. Wardell is a cozy, rivals-to-lovers novella that wastes absolutely no time getting to the good stuff, emotionally and otherwise. The story follows Harry, a teacher reluctantly chaperoning a school hockey trip, and Darius, the infuriatingly competent hockey coach he can’t stand. One hotel room, one bed, and a whole lot of unresolved tension later, sparks start flying. This is a short, quick, straight-to-the-point novella that stays tightly focused on its two main characters, with very few secondary characters, which I really loved. I also appreciated the choice to shift dual POVs every few chapters instead of the usual every-chapter swap, it made the emotional beats land more naturally depending on where the story was headed. As always with Wardell, the tone is sweet and heartfelt while also being unapologetically sexy and very hot. The banter is sharp, the chemistry is immediate, and the pacing is perfect for a novella you can devour in one sitting.
What really worked for me was how the story handled Harry’s insecurity around sports spaces. A lot of gay men feel uncomfortable in environments that are often tied to toxic masculinity and don’t always feel safe or welcoming, and that vulnerability felt very real here. At the same time, Darius represents how a gay man can thrive in sports without compromising who he is, which made their dynamic even more compelling. Their shift from barely tolerating each other to catching real feelings might be a little silly, but it’s also incredibly believable, men are idiots, after all. The intimacy is phenomenal: deeply communicative, enthusiastic, and rooted in mutual desire and consent, with a level of body worship that feels both tender and scorching. The title doesn’t lie, this book is spicy for a reason. There’s real hockey on the page too, and while I personally know nothing about the sport, it sounded convincing enough to keep me immersed. Yes, there’s a third-act breakup, but it makes sense in context and resolves quickly. Overall, this was a sweet, sexy, satisfying little novella that hits exactly where it’s supposed to.
What really worked for me was how the story handled Harry’s insecurity around sports spaces. A lot of gay men feel uncomfortable in environments that are often tied to toxic masculinity and don’t always feel safe or welcoming, and that vulnerability felt very real here. At the same time, Darius represents how a gay man can thrive in sports without compromising who he is, which made their dynamic even more compelling. Their shift from barely tolerating each other to catching real feelings might be a little silly, but it’s also incredibly believable, men are idiots, after all. The intimacy is phenomenal: deeply communicative, enthusiastic, and rooted in mutual desire and consent, with a level of body worship that feels both tender and scorching. The title doesn’t lie, this book is spicy for a reason. There’s real hockey on the page too, and while I personally know nothing about the sport, it sounded convincing enough to keep me immersed. Yes, there’s a third-act breakup, but it makes sense in context and resolves quickly. Overall, this was a sweet, sexy, satisfying little novella that hits exactly where it’s supposed to.
March 9, 2026
3⭐️
Novellas are always a tricky format for romance. When they work, they deliver a tight, emotionally satisfying arc in a very small space. When they don’t, it’s usually because the emotional beats simply don’t have enough room to breathe.
Peaches and Pucks gasped for air, and as a reader I could feel it vividly…
On paper, the setup is cute and very much in M.A. Wardell’s comfort lane: a sweet nerdy main character, a hockey coach with unresolved feelings, and a dynamic that starts with years of antagonism before pivoting toward romance. It has that soft, slightly chaotic rom-com energy that Wardell tends to write well, and there are definitely moments where the chemistry between the two works.
The problem for me was the emotional logic behind their history.
One of the MMCs has essentially been a jerk to the other for four years because he secretly had a crush on him. That kind of “I was mean because I liked you but couldn't show” trope can work if the story really digs into the insecurity behind it, but here it felt obviously too thin. Four years of being treated badly is a lot to brush off with a single explanation.
And unfortunately the conflict that follows doesn’t really stabilise things either. The emotional push and pull starts to feel less like complicated feelings and more like the story artificially manufacturing drama in a very limited page count.
There is one crucial moment that felt very over the top for the kind of lighthearted tone the rest of the novella is going for, and it pulled me out of the story more than it added tension.
There’s also a familiar sports-romance insecurity running through the book. These are real pressures, and Wardell doesn’t ignore them, but here they end up feeling like a slightly exaggerated barrier rather than a deeply explored one.
What does work is the overall warmth of the story. Wardell clearly enjoys writing these kinds of characters, and when the book leans into the sweetness rather than the manufactured conflict, it’s genuinely charming. The nerd/coach dynamic is fun, and there are small moments of vulnerability that hint at a deeper emotional connection between the characters.
I just wish the emotional arc had been a little steadier. With more pages to develop and smooth out the back-and-forth forgiveness, this probably would have landed much stronger for me.
As it stands, it’s a cute, fluffy novella with some fun moments and a likeable pairing, but the conflict felt a bit too exaggerated for the space the story had to resolve it.
Novellas are always a tricky format for romance. When they work, they deliver a tight, emotionally satisfying arc in a very small space. When they don’t, it’s usually because the emotional beats simply don’t have enough room to breathe.
Peaches and Pucks gasped for air, and as a reader I could feel it vividly…
On paper, the setup is cute and very much in M.A. Wardell’s comfort lane: a sweet nerdy main character, a hockey coach with unresolved feelings, and a dynamic that starts with years of antagonism before pivoting toward romance. It has that soft, slightly chaotic rom-com energy that Wardell tends to write well, and there are definitely moments where the chemistry between the two works.
The problem for me was the emotional logic behind their history.
One of the MMCs has essentially been a jerk to the other for four years because he secretly had a crush on him. That kind of “I was mean because I liked you but couldn't show” trope can work if the story really digs into the insecurity behind it, but here it felt obviously too thin. Four years of being treated badly is a lot to brush off with a single explanation.
And unfortunately the conflict that follows doesn’t really stabilise things either. The emotional push and pull starts to feel less like complicated feelings and more like the story artificially manufacturing drama in a very limited page count.
There is one crucial moment that felt very over the top for the kind of lighthearted tone the rest of the novella is going for, and it pulled me out of the story more than it added tension.
There’s also a familiar sports-romance insecurity running through the book. These are real pressures, and Wardell doesn’t ignore them, but here they end up feeling like a slightly exaggerated barrier rather than a deeply explored one.
What does work is the overall warmth of the story. Wardell clearly enjoys writing these kinds of characters, and when the book leans into the sweetness rather than the manufactured conflict, it’s genuinely charming. The nerd/coach dynamic is fun, and there are small moments of vulnerability that hint at a deeper emotional connection between the characters.
I just wish the emotional arc had been a little steadier. With more pages to develop and smooth out the back-and-forth forgiveness, this probably would have landed much stronger for me.
As it stands, it’s a cute, fluffy novella with some fun moments and a likeable pairing, but the conflict felt a bit too exaggerated for the space the story had to resolve it.
February 6, 2026
this is a high heat low angst romance with a bit of bully vibe? While there is no on page bullying, infact a complete 360 in the character that has over the past 4 years teased and heckled and “made life misrable” for the English teacher, there are similar pig tail pulling themes used to justify and apologise for that behaviour. Since the divide in interests and past trauma of both protagonists is quite wide it does give one them cold feet making him pull back from everything after giving in quite a few times over the short course of this story.
There are themes here which could have been explored more deeply, I also don’t feel how invested the characters are in an each other beyond what is professed. Overall it’s a nice novella but mostly I found myself confounded by the shifts and motivations of the characters and a couple of whiplash moments there for sure with a don’t give up till he gives in red flag thrown in.
There are themes here which could have been explored more deeply, I also don’t feel how invested the characters are in an each other beyond what is professed. Overall it’s a nice novella but mostly I found myself confounded by the shifts and motivations of the characters and a couple of whiplash moments there for sure with a don’t give up till he gives in red flag thrown in.
February 4, 2026
This was ok
Short and sweet for sure with decent spice.
I HATED that there was a third act breakup in this short novella, and the reason was ridiculous… thankfully it didn’t last long.
If you are in the mood for a short and sweet rom-com, this is for you!
Short and sweet for sure with decent spice.
I HATED that there was a third act breakup in this short novella, and the reason was ridiculous… thankfully it didn’t last long.
If you are in the mood for a short and sweet rom-com, this is for you!
Read
February 3, 2026Cute but short!
January 31, 2026
Thank you to Grey's Promo for this arc! Here is my honest review :)
This was fun and cute! You will love this because it has:
🏒 a one bed trope
🍑 hockey jock mmc
🏒 bookish mmc
🍑 coworker romance
🏒 electric chemistry
🍑 globe shaped peaches
🏒 sweet and vulnerable communication
🍑 overcoming traumas
This was such a fun and quick romance! I really enjoyed the mmcs breaking through some sports trauma together as well as taking accountability for actions and being vulnerable together. My only problem I had with this is I wish it was longer!!
This was fun and cute! You will love this because it has:
🏒 a one bed trope
🍑 hockey jock mmc
🏒 bookish mmc
🍑 coworker romance
🏒 electric chemistry
🍑 globe shaped peaches
🏒 sweet and vulnerable communication
🍑 overcoming traumas
This was such a fun and quick romance! I really enjoyed the mmcs breaking through some sports trauma together as well as taking accountability for actions and being vulnerable together. My only problem I had with this is I wish it was longer!!
Want to read
January 19, 2026Guys! I just got my ARC copy and I am so excited to read it! I've never been an ARC reader before so I hope I do it right :)
February 9, 2026
⭐️4/5. ❤️4/5. 🌶4.5/5
Voy a seguir leyendo a este autor 🥹. Me gusta porque, desde que empiezas a leerlo, te atrapa súper rápido. Las dinámicas de sus libros son tan interesantes que no puedes parar, y eso es una de las cosas que más amo en los libros. Además, ya había leído anteriormente otro libro suyo y sigue siendo un absoluto SÍ para mí❤️🩹✨.
En mi opinión, es un muy buen libro y, como ya había mencionado, me atrapó bastante rápido. A lo largo de la historia me gustó mucho cómo fue evolucionando y desarrollándose la relación entre Harry y Darius. Algo que ellos pensaban que se quedaría en solo una noche terminó abriendo la caja de Pandora, de donde salieron sentimientos ocultos y confesiones difíciles de creer.
Una de las cosas que más me gustan de libros como este es el tema de la vulnerabilidad entre hombres y cómo, a través del tiempo que pasan juntos, llegan a expresar aquello que tanto temen decir en voz alta. En este caso, Darius y Harry tuvieron momentos en los que las inseguridades y los miedos llenaban sus mentes, haciendo que su relación, en lugar de avanzar, retrocediera. Aun así, a pesar del miedo a arriesgarse por alguien, lograron reconocer lo que sentían y permitir que la relación, con el tiempo, fuera floreciendo.
En resumen, es un libro bonito y bastante picante en cuanto a las escenas spicy 🤭. Aun así, siento que van a disfrutar mucho de esta historia y de la caótica, pero divertida, historia de amor de estos dos.
Voy a seguir leyendo a este autor 🥹. Me gusta porque, desde que empiezas a leerlo, te atrapa súper rápido. Las dinámicas de sus libros son tan interesantes que no puedes parar, y eso es una de las cosas que más amo en los libros. Además, ya había leído anteriormente otro libro suyo y sigue siendo un absoluto SÍ para mí❤️🩹✨.
En mi opinión, es un muy buen libro y, como ya había mencionado, me atrapó bastante rápido. A lo largo de la historia me gustó mucho cómo fue evolucionando y desarrollándose la relación entre Harry y Darius. Algo que ellos pensaban que se quedaría en solo una noche terminó abriendo la caja de Pandora, de donde salieron sentimientos ocultos y confesiones difíciles de creer.
Una de las cosas que más me gustan de libros como este es el tema de la vulnerabilidad entre hombres y cómo, a través del tiempo que pasan juntos, llegan a expresar aquello que tanto temen decir en voz alta. En este caso, Darius y Harry tuvieron momentos en los que las inseguridades y los miedos llenaban sus mentes, haciendo que su relación, en lugar de avanzar, retrocediera. Aun así, a pesar del miedo a arriesgarse por alguien, lograron reconocer lo que sentían y permitir que la relación, con el tiempo, fuera floreciendo.
En resumen, es un libro bonito y bastante picante en cuanto a las escenas spicy 🤭. Aun así, siento que van a disfrutar mucho de esta historia y de la caótica, pero divertida, historia de amor de estos dos.
February 21, 2026
MA Wardell does it again! The premise is simple, Coach Darius is in need of a substitute teacher to help with the PeeWee hockey team as they head over to a game. Steps in English teacher Harry who does not know anything about sports but is there to support the kids. And let’s say that a one bed trope happens and turns out the Coach has had the hots for Harry for a while but has been egging him for the last four years.
The premise is steamy, cheeky, romantic, sweet. But the underlying themes really got to me! It is in essence about masculinity, gayness and the spectrum between someone who is heteronormative presenting, into sports, that benefits from his privilege, and someone who is more effeminate, into theater, reading, and has had to deal with the disappointment of not meeting the standards of his parents. And then the clash of these two worlds while they try to formulate a relationship. And it almost seems like one individual wants to incorporate and have the other immerse in his world while the other individual feels like they are constricting who they are because they do have a mutual attraction. The resolution involves maturing within a relationship where each individual meets in the middle and makes compromises rather than having to be absorbed into another’s views of life.
LOVED IT.
The premise is steamy, cheeky, romantic, sweet. But the underlying themes really got to me! It is in essence about masculinity, gayness and the spectrum between someone who is heteronormative presenting, into sports, that benefits from his privilege, and someone who is more effeminate, into theater, reading, and has had to deal with the disappointment of not meeting the standards of his parents. And then the clash of these two worlds while they try to formulate a relationship. And it almost seems like one individual wants to incorporate and have the other immerse in his world while the other individual feels like they are constricting who they are because they do have a mutual attraction. The resolution involves maturing within a relationship where each individual meets in the middle and makes compromises rather than having to be absorbed into another’s views of life.
LOVED IT.
February 4, 2026
This is going to be harsh, honest but harsh
I don’t even know where to start. This book had no plot repeatedly brought up the same issue. The characters had zero chemistry. They would go on a date and then they would regret it and avoid each other and then they go on a date and then they regret it and avoid each other And then all of a sudden they were saying I love you and moving in together I was so confused absolutely nothing happened. I mean, Darius kept apologizing for acting the way he did and then the date he plans is to take him to a hockey game, knowing for well that Harry doesn’t like sports at all and you’re gonna tell me that you invited friends on this day and you were just gonna Talk hockey with them and act like your date’s not even there and then proceeded to pretend like you couldn’t tell he was uncomfortable the entire time I mean, maybe if you I don’t know paid an ounce of attention to him you may have noticed and then like I said two chapters later they’re moving in together and saying that they love each other I was just so baffled and I really don’t like writing bad reviews because I know that these authors put their heart blood sweat and tears into these books, but I also have to be honest in this just was not it folks.🫠 and don’t even get me started on the spice. It was just so cringe and icky. I’m sorry, but why are you calling his genitals meaty🤢 just no…..
I don’t even know where to start. This book had no plot repeatedly brought up the same issue. The characters had zero chemistry. They would go on a date and then they would regret it and avoid each other and then they go on a date and then they regret it and avoid each other And then all of a sudden they were saying I love you and moving in together I was so confused absolutely nothing happened. I mean, Darius kept apologizing for acting the way he did and then the date he plans is to take him to a hockey game, knowing for well that Harry doesn’t like sports at all and you’re gonna tell me that you invited friends on this day and you were just gonna Talk hockey with them and act like your date’s not even there and then proceeded to pretend like you couldn’t tell he was uncomfortable the entire time I mean, maybe if you I don’t know paid an ounce of attention to him you may have noticed and then like I said two chapters later they’re moving in together and saying that they love each other I was just so baffled and I really don’t like writing bad reviews because I know that these authors put their heart blood sweat and tears into these books, but I also have to be honest in this just was not it folks.🫠 and don’t even get me started on the spice. It was just so cringe and icky. I’m sorry, but why are you calling his genitals meaty🤢 just no…..
February 2, 2026
I went into this one really excited for a cute, cozy novella, and overall I did have a fun time with it.
This was a quick, easy, and enjoyable read, perfect if you’re in the mood for something light and low-commitment. The vibes were fun, the pacing was fast, and it definitely delivered on being an accessible, feel-good novella.
That said, there were a few things that made me roll my eyes a bit. Darius being mean to Harry and then brushing it off as “I had a crush on you” felt pretty childish, and unfortunately that dynamic popped up more than once. The third-act conflict especially didn’t really land for me and felt unnecessary and a little confusing rather than emotionally satisfying.
Still, despite those frustrations, I enjoyed myself. Peaches & Pucks is a solid pick if you’re looking for a short, fun read that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It may not have fully worked for me on an emotional level, but it was still a cute and entertaining novella.
This was a quick, easy, and enjoyable read, perfect if you’re in the mood for something light and low-commitment. The vibes were fun, the pacing was fast, and it definitely delivered on being an accessible, feel-good novella.
That said, there were a few things that made me roll my eyes a bit. Darius being mean to Harry and then brushing it off as “I had a crush on you” felt pretty childish, and unfortunately that dynamic popped up more than once. The third-act conflict especially didn’t really land for me and felt unnecessary and a little confusing rather than emotionally satisfying.
Still, despite those frustrations, I enjoyed myself. Peaches & Pucks is a solid pick if you’re looking for a short, fun read that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It may not have fully worked for me on an emotional level, but it was still a cute and entertaining novella.
January 30, 2026
I have never not loved a book written by MA Wardell and this was not different. Darius and Harry, where do I start. This was short, sweet with the perfect amount of spice. Darius is such a dude bro and I loved that even though he has those stereotypical traits he was such a sap for Harry. Even though this was a novella a lot happened in it and it didn’t feel rushed. If you want cozy, spicy, mm romance this is it. I can’t wait to read more by MA Wardell.
Thank you Grey Promotions for this ARC, this is my homiest and unbiased review.
Thank you Grey Promotions for this ARC, this is my homiest and unbiased review.
Review of advance copy
Peaches and Pucks by M.A. Wardell is a short, spicy, hockey romance that can easily be read in one sitting. While I did have high hopes for Darius and Harry's story, there were things that I just couldn't look past when it came to enjoying the story. Thank you for allowing me to ARC read, but I did give the novella 2 stars.
First off, I was not a fan of the "Oh, he teases you because he likes you" rhetoric being pushed how it was. Immediate ick! It's an old-fashioned, immature, harmful mantra that tries to excuse behavior that shouldn't be occurring. Secondly, Darius and Harry did NOT communicate well. One sign of conflict and they were over. This was one book couple that I couldn't imagine ever actually making after the story ends. Ultimately, this led to a lower rating. It just wasn't for me, and that's okay!
Reminder!!!: Just because I did not particularly enjoy a story, that doesn't mean that it doesn't have the potential to be your next 5-star read! Please check it out yourself and make your own opinions<3
First off, I was not a fan of the "Oh, he teases you because he likes you" rhetoric being pushed how it was. Immediate ick! It's an old-fashioned, immature, harmful mantra that tries to excuse behavior that shouldn't be occurring. Secondly, Darius and Harry did NOT communicate well. One sign of conflict and they were over. This was one book couple that I couldn't imagine ever actually making after the story ends. Ultimately, this led to a lower rating. It just wasn't for me, and that's okay!
Reminder!!!: Just because I did not particularly enjoy a story, that doesn't mean that it doesn't have the potential to be your next 5-star read! Please check it out yourself and make your own opinions<3
February 3, 2026
It was a cute story with some 🌶 sprinkled in, but I really didn't feel the connection or chemistry between to the two MMC's. I understand it's a novella and those usually go from 0 to 100 real quick, but I just wanted a bit more from the characters and their relationship.
February 15, 2026
I could not stop smiling while reading this - novella formatting is new to me so I didn’t quite understand the pacing, but it truly had everything to make it a cute read. Also…. Smut.
Read
March 3, 2026DNF @ 10%. I couldn’t get into the writing and I found the characters annoying. No Rating.
February 27, 2026
1.5*
When did character chemistry become a lost art form?
When did character chemistry become a lost art form?
February 2, 2026
Short. Steamy. Sweet. Loved it.
Want to read
October 28, 2025An M.A. Wardell Hockey romance!?!? Now I have something to look forward to for next year😍
February 25, 2026
Peaches and Pucks by M.A. Wardell genuinely surprised me, mostly because I cannot understand the negative reviews surrounding this one. This story absolutely worked for me.
There were real feelings here. Real chemistry. Truly lovable characters. As a writer, I understand that no book will ever make every reader happy, but this one made me happy, and that matters.
Darius and Harry were instantly endearing, and I rooted for them from the very start. I loved the rivals-to-lovers dynamic layered with that delicious “bully who is actually deeply infatuated and in love” energy. The banter was sharp without being cruel, the tension felt earned, and the forced proximity of the school and hockey setting gave the story a cozy, contained momentum that suited the novella length perfectly.
One of my favorite elements was watching Harry slowly open himself up to the things Darius loves. That shift felt organic and emotionally grounded, not rushed or performative. Their connection grew through observation, irritation, humor, and tenderness, which made their eventual emotional payoff land beautifully.
Wardell excels at writing characters who feel fully human, even in a shorter format, and this book is no exception. For me, Peaches and Pucks ranks right up there with my favorites of his work. Warm, heartfelt, playful, and satisfying, this one delivered exactly what I wanted and then some.
There were real feelings here. Real chemistry. Truly lovable characters. As a writer, I understand that no book will ever make every reader happy, but this one made me happy, and that matters.
Darius and Harry were instantly endearing, and I rooted for them from the very start. I loved the rivals-to-lovers dynamic layered with that delicious “bully who is actually deeply infatuated and in love” energy. The banter was sharp without being cruel, the tension felt earned, and the forced proximity of the school and hockey setting gave the story a cozy, contained momentum that suited the novella length perfectly.
One of my favorite elements was watching Harry slowly open himself up to the things Darius loves. That shift felt organic and emotionally grounded, not rushed or performative. Their connection grew through observation, irritation, humor, and tenderness, which made their eventual emotional payoff land beautifully.
Wardell excels at writing characters who feel fully human, even in a shorter format, and this book is no exception. For me, Peaches and Pucks ranks right up there with my favorites of his work. Warm, heartfelt, playful, and satisfying, this one delivered exactly what I wanted and then some.
February 6, 2026
ARC REVIEW
Waittt omggg!!!
5⭐️ (couldn’t put it down ate it up left no crumbs so good so hot so beautifully written)
This book was so beautiful and like hot at the same time and the writing was like very strong and I enjoyed every second of it
The chemistry between Darius and Harry omggg the enemies to lovers aspect YESSSSS!!! And the the smut HELLOOOO KINGS GET ITT LIKE HOLY HOTTT!!!
I really loved this read, gonna be one of my favorite reads this month so far.
And the coach and English teacher trope was kinda hot a saying “oh you’re straight - who said I am” like AHHHHHHH!!!!
The aspect of taking a chance on love even if you are scared, and you have to do it scared to know if it works was soo beautiful seeing how their story grew, I didn’t want it to end I was so intrigued by the storytelling and how it progressed like I was kicking my feet like a kid because it was so good!!
I will have to go read all his books because this was freaking phenomenal, and this being his first hockey book like HELLOOO THIS WAS AMAZING I NEED MOREEEEE!!!
Ughhh I need my shelf trophy now
Tropes:
🍑🏒 Forced proximity
🍑🏒 Only one bed
🍑🏒 Grumpy/ sunshine
🍑🏒 Jock/nerd
🍑🏒 Ice skating lessons
🍑🏒 Hockey Coach/ English teacher
🍑🏒 SO MUCH PINING
🍑🏒 Enemies to lovers (teased him for 4 years)
🍑🏒 Taking a chance on love
🍑🏒 Marvel gets brought up :)
🍑🏒 MM romance
Waittt omggg!!!
5⭐️ (couldn’t put it down ate it up left no crumbs so good so hot so beautifully written)
This book was so beautiful and like hot at the same time and the writing was like very strong and I enjoyed every second of it
The chemistry between Darius and Harry omggg the enemies to lovers aspect YESSSSS!!! And the the smut HELLOOOO KINGS GET ITT LIKE HOLY HOTTT!!!
I really loved this read, gonna be one of my favorite reads this month so far.
And the coach and English teacher trope was kinda hot a saying “oh you’re straight - who said I am” like AHHHHHHH!!!!
The aspect of taking a chance on love even if you are scared, and you have to do it scared to know if it works was soo beautiful seeing how their story grew, I didn’t want it to end I was so intrigued by the storytelling and how it progressed like I was kicking my feet like a kid because it was so good!!
I will have to go read all his books because this was freaking phenomenal, and this being his first hockey book like HELLOOO THIS WAS AMAZING I NEED MOREEEEE!!!
Ughhh I need my shelf trophy now
Tropes:
🍑🏒 Forced proximity
🍑🏒 Only one bed
🍑🏒 Grumpy/ sunshine
🍑🏒 Jock/nerd
🍑🏒 Ice skating lessons
🍑🏒 Hockey Coach/ English teacher
🍑🏒 SO MUCH PINING
🍑🏒 Enemies to lovers (teased him for 4 years)
🍑🏒 Taking a chance on love
🍑🏒 Marvel gets brought up :)
🍑🏒 MM romance
Displaying 1 - 30 of 394 reviews