Broken Stick

by Cathryn Fox

When your best friend pretends to love you to help you win someone else…but he’s the only one you’ve ever truly wanted.

I asked my childhood friend Jaxon Sheffield—a hockey star who’s sworn off relationships—to fake it for a little while. Just long enough to make the guy I thought I wanted to notice me.

But I’m a reporter. I build stories. And Jaxon’s been burned by reporters enough to swear he’d never trust one—especially not with his secrets. When the plan worked, it should’ve ended there but I asked for more.

Because the truth I’ve kept hidden?

I’ve loved him forever.

Now we’re tangled in late-night touches and whispered promises that weren’t part of the deal. He thinks this is just a game.

But if they only knew… I’m risking the only relationship I can’t live without.

And if I lose him?

It won’t just break my heart—it’ll mean I ruined the one thing that was never supposed to be fake.

Genres: Romance, Hockey Romance

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 17, 2026

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cathryn Fox is a wife, mom, sister, daughter, aunt and friend. She loves dogs, sunny weather, anything chocolate (she never says no to a brownie) pizza and red wine. Cathryn lives in beautiful Nova Scotia with her husband, who is convinced he can turn her into a mixed martial arts fan. When not writing, Cathryn can be found Skyping with her son living in Seattle (could he have moved any farther away?) shopping with her daughter in the city, watching a big action flick with her husband, or hanging out and laughing with friends.

Reviews

[Dar · Rating 5 out of 5]

What’s better than fake dating? Adding in some, um, *instructions* on how to be, uh, experienced 😉 These two have a history, a friendly history, but the switch has been flicked and there is no going back. Rowyn has a lifetime of expectations to deal with so she can know her own heart. Jax has a painful history that left scars. But together, together these two fulfil their hearts desires, and their wildest fantasies <3

[Marea · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost there are 2 things you need to know when reading/listening this book. 1) Make sure you have enough time to do it from start to finish, because nothing is more frustrating than having to stop reading/listening to get something done. 2) If on audiobook do NOT, I repeat DO NOT have it so everyone around you can listen in on it because this isn’t just spicy, it is spicy, spicy. Even reading the ebook I had to stop and fan myself a few times!!! Whew!!! This is the 11th book in the Boston Bucks series by Cathryn Fox and like all the ones before it, I was not disappointed at all. Well okay I might be if this means the series is over, because I want to know what happens next!!!

Never would Rowyn have imagined that childhood friend Jaxon Sheffield would come to her rescue not once, but twice. Fake date!! After all he was one of her best friends and might be the solution to helping her get over her fears of dating, sex and help her win the guy she was trying to date. While it might help him get over being hurt so badly years ago. While it was only supposed to be temporary, it might be going beyond that if they weren’t careful. The way the sparks ignited between them when they were together, there was no denying the connection. Was it worth the risk falling in love with each other? Yes it could be if they just took a chance.

Thanks to the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Sylvie Howick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cathryn Fox scores again with this epic friends to lovers story.

[Sue Slade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broken Stick is the 11th book in the fast-paced Boston Bucks series, written by Cathryn Fox. The Boston Bucks is an entertaining hockey contemporary romance series that features just enough spice to keep you warm on these cool spring evenings, with each installment able to be read as a stand-alone.

While at Kilting Around, a hangout for the Boston Bucks, Jaxon notices his childhood friend, Rowyn, across the bar, sitting with a group of people all paired up, excluding her. By the way she looks at her watch and the door, every 30 seconds, while chewing her lip, it looks like she has been stood up. But who would do such a thing? Jaxon makes his way to their table and leans in, and says. “Babe, I’m so sorry. We were late getting back.” And then leans in to kiss her. This is just the beginning of this friend-to-lovers, fake dating, fun, sizzling romance.

***The key thing to remember from this review is that these spicy hockey romances are the perfect way to warm up this spring.