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Endgame: A Hockey Romance
Not yet published
Expected 26 Feb 26She’s about to proposition a famous hockey player…
Eleanor Ford is ready for a fresh start. Away from her dead-end relationship, her grieving dad, and the city that so deeply reminds her of her mom. Things are off to a good start when she hooks up with the hottest guy she’s ever met.
…and she has no idea.
Matthew Anderson feels like a ticking time bomb. At thirty-six, he’s pushing the envelope for a pro athlete and he knows it. But deciding when to call it quits and what to do after? It’s a decision he thinks might send him into an early midlife crisis.
Then Ellie comes barreling into his world and he feels like his priorities might be changing. The catch? Ellie’s not interested in dating a hockey player and he doesn’t know why.
Can Matt convince Ellie he’s endgame material? Or will his first love—hockey—ruin everything?
Endgame is an emotional, swoon-worthy, age gap hockey romance about finding & fighting for love when life doesn’t make it easy.
Eleanor Ford is ready for a fresh start. Away from her dead-end relationship, her grieving dad, and the city that so deeply reminds her of her mom. Things are off to a good start when she hooks up with the hottest guy she’s ever met.
…and she has no idea.
Matthew Anderson feels like a ticking time bomb. At thirty-six, he’s pushing the envelope for a pro athlete and he knows it. But deciding when to call it quits and what to do after? It’s a decision he thinks might send him into an early midlife crisis.
Then Ellie comes barreling into his world and he feels like his priorities might be changing. The catch? Ellie’s not interested in dating a hockey player and he doesn’t know why.
Can Matt convince Ellie he’s endgame material? Or will his first love—hockey—ruin everything?
Endgame is an emotional, swoon-worthy, age gap hockey romance about finding & fighting for love when life doesn’t make it easy.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 26, 2026
1875 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I'm going to send to Willa my therapist bill.
Read
December 2, 2025BETA READ! Can't wait for everyone to fall in love with these two!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Beta read 🩵 I can't wait until this book is out in the world!
December 7, 2025
BETA READ! 🩵
Absolutely obsessed with this book. I cannot wait for everyone to read it and fall in love with it just as much as I did.
Absolutely obsessed with this book. I cannot wait for everyone to read it and fall in love with it just as much as I did.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Omg my heart 🥹🥹🥹 I loved this so much. I laughed, cried, swooned and was not ready for this book to end!
Matt Freaking Anderson. The definition of a green flag. The sweetest freaking thing ever. He just wanted Ellie. Anyway and everway he could have her.
Ellie cracked me up! The proposition 🤣 girl. So awkward but hilarious. My heart broke for her though too. Poor girl had been through something so traumatic and just wanted a partner to get through life with.
They were open and honest with each other and the COMMUNICATION. 🙌🙌🙌 SOOO GOOD. They were able to communicate like adults and that was so refreshing.
I just had a really good time and that epilogue 🥹🥹
*Thank you love notes & Willa for the arc!*
Matt Freaking Anderson. The definition of a green flag. The sweetest freaking thing ever. He just wanted Ellie. Anyway and everway he could have her.
Ellie cracked me up! The proposition 🤣 girl. So awkward but hilarious. My heart broke for her though too. Poor girl had been through something so traumatic and just wanted a partner to get through life with.
They were open and honest with each other and the COMMUNICATION. 🙌🙌🙌 SOOO GOOD. They were able to communicate like adults and that was so refreshing.
I just had a really good time and that epilogue 🥹🥹
*Thank you love notes & Willa for the arc!*
December 5, 2025
Beta read! I absolutely LOVED this book! Full review to come!
Review of advance copy
I received this as an ARC. It was worth everything. Ellie’s story opens with her traumatic backstory, and when Willa says to read the trigger warnings? She means it. She wants you prepared. But even with that heaviness, Ellie is still quirky. Still funny. Still herself.
Matt — we already know him. Bar owner with his best friend. Professional hockey player. Questioning if he’s too old for the league… while still absolutely putting up numbers.
Ellie walks into his bar in the middle of the afternoon — unknowingly — on one of the worst days of her life.
And yes.
They meet cute. Again.
The proposition? 10/10 delivery.
She wants casual.
He wants forever.
And they do keep it casual… for a while. But when you learn what happened to Ellie, you understand why she keeps people at arm’s length. Her distance isn’t drama — it’s protection.
The way Willa handles grief in this book is honestly impressive. It feels real. Raw. Thoughtful. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s experienced deep loss herself because the steps Matt takes to help Ellie carry that grief are intentional and beautiful.
Matt’s an NHL player with a grueling travel schedule. Ellie’s an ER nurse — constantly busy, constantly giving. Being busy after loss can feel comforting… but it can also reinforce the walls you build around your heart.
There are hilarious friend conversations.
There are incredibly romantic gestures from Matt.
And I love that Ellie isn’t suddenly at every single game. Willa keeps this relationship realistic. It feels possible.
Matt is the biggest cinnamon roll. Truly. And when you’re deep in grief, that softness? It matters.
The conversation with her father? So good.
Her fears? Completely legitimate.
The way Matt helps her work through them? Exactly what she needed.
There’s definitely something brewing with the PR lady — I’m watching that closely
This book was everything I hoped it would be. I’m so grateful I got to read it early, and I genuinely hope everyone gets their hands on it.
It’s romantic. It’s funny. It’s healing.
And it stayed with me.
Matt — we already know him. Bar owner with his best friend. Professional hockey player. Questioning if he’s too old for the league… while still absolutely putting up numbers.
Ellie walks into his bar in the middle of the afternoon — unknowingly — on one of the worst days of her life.
And yes.
They meet cute. Again.
The proposition? 10/10 delivery.
She wants casual.
He wants forever.
And they do keep it casual… for a while. But when you learn what happened to Ellie, you understand why she keeps people at arm’s length. Her distance isn’t drama — it’s protection.
The way Willa handles grief in this book is honestly impressive. It feels real. Raw. Thoughtful. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s experienced deep loss herself because the steps Matt takes to help Ellie carry that grief are intentional and beautiful.
Matt’s an NHL player with a grueling travel schedule. Ellie’s an ER nurse — constantly busy, constantly giving. Being busy after loss can feel comforting… but it can also reinforce the walls you build around your heart.
There are hilarious friend conversations.
There are incredibly romantic gestures from Matt.
And I love that Ellie isn’t suddenly at every single game. Willa keeps this relationship realistic. It feels possible.
Matt is the biggest cinnamon roll. Truly. And when you’re deep in grief, that softness? It matters.
The conversation with her father? So good.
Her fears? Completely legitimate.
The way Matt helps her work through them? Exactly what she needed.
There’s definitely something brewing with the PR lady — I’m watching that closely
This book was everything I hoped it would be. I’m so grateful I got to read it early, and I genuinely hope everyone gets their hands on it.
It’s romantic. It’s funny. It’s healing.
And it stayed with me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Endgame 🏒
First,I want to thank LoveNotes PR & Willa Gray for trusting me with this ARC!🩵
Matthew Anderson is pressured by everyone to retire,but what comes after?
Eleanor Ford is in need of a fresh start.
Finally things are looking good ,with her also hooking up with a hottest guy she has ever met.
The thing?She has swear off on hockey players.
Starting,I LOVED Gray's writing style.As a reader I could understand deeply the characters that I was reading & she made the story ,flow by!
As for our characters,Ellie was vibrating with GOOD energy!And I adored every moment of hers.The awkwards',the cutes' the funnies' the spicys' EVERYTHING!
Matthew on the other side,got us a point of view that we rarely see on hockey romances.
What happens after.
It is likely to see those confident,Stanley cup winner's hockey players but not those that are moments away from their whole life being taken from them.Because that is the sport to them THEIR WHOLE LIFE.
As you understood I really liked the way his character was based and how he handled a lot of stuff that were thrown at him. Good job M!🫶🏻
Continuing,the way grief was handled and portrayed was really protective and respectful,since it is a really mature theme that most people have to experience in their life.
It was shown to us not just how you can live with it,but how to handle it when you feel that it consumes you.
Ellie was literally such a strong girl,and I hope see can inspire a lot of people out there ❤️🩹
Ending,I can say that I was pretty confident about the book until that first 50%-60%,after that I think that the story declined a little bit for me.Many scenes were not my cup of tea and I found them too long :(
Out On Feb,26th🌈
3⭐
First,I want to thank LoveNotes PR & Willa Gray for trusting me with this ARC!🩵
Matthew Anderson is pressured by everyone to retire,but what comes after?
Eleanor Ford is in need of a fresh start.
Finally things are looking good ,with her also hooking up with a hottest guy she has ever met.
The thing?She has swear off on hockey players.
Starting,I LOVED Gray's writing style.As a reader I could understand deeply the characters that I was reading & she made the story ,flow by!
As for our characters,Ellie was vibrating with GOOD energy!And I adored every moment of hers.The awkwards',the cutes' the funnies' the spicys' EVERYTHING!
Matthew on the other side,got us a point of view that we rarely see on hockey romances.
What happens after.
It is likely to see those confident,Stanley cup winner's hockey players but not those that are moments away from their whole life being taken from them.Because that is the sport to them THEIR WHOLE LIFE.
As you understood I really liked the way his character was based and how he handled a lot of stuff that were thrown at him. Good job M!🫶🏻
Continuing,the way grief was handled and portrayed was really protective and respectful,since it is a really mature theme that most people have to experience in their life.
It was shown to us not just how you can live with it,but how to handle it when you feel that it consumes you.
Ellie was literally such a strong girl,and I hope see can inspire a lot of people out there ❤️🩹
Ending,I can say that I was pretty confident about the book until that first 50%-60%,after that I think that the story declined a little bit for me.Many scenes were not my cup of tea and I found them too long :(
Out On Feb,26th🌈
3⭐
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
5 ⭐️ – I am genuinely in shock at how much I loved this
Endgame by Willa Gray… holy hell. How is this the first sports romance I’ve found by this author?!
I read this in one sitting. Didn’t get up. Didn’t scroll. Didn’t even consider stopping. It completely swept me away in a way I honestly wasn’t expecting.
I am such a creature of habit with sports romance. I usually just reread my comfort favorites because nothing ever quite compares. But this? This absolutely did it for me.
The emotional arc was SO well done. The FMC was guarded without crossing into mean or unnecessarily prickly (which happens a lot in this genre). Her walls made sense. Her growth made sense. It felt layered and intentional instead of defensive for the sake of tension.
And the MMC? Certified green flag.
We love a man who shows up. We love a man who communicates. We love a man who chooses her consistently. That’s really what this book was about partnership, emotional maturity, and stepping up when it matters.
Also five stars purely for the fact that this was NOT a miscommunication trope. 🙌 No third-act nonsense. No drama that could’ve been solved with one sentence. Just two people actually talking and working through things like adults.
It was endearing, emotional, romantic, and so easy to devour. I’m honestly still a little stunned by how much this one hit for me.
Instant favorite.
Endgame by Willa Gray… holy hell. How is this the first sports romance I’ve found by this author?!
I read this in one sitting. Didn’t get up. Didn’t scroll. Didn’t even consider stopping. It completely swept me away in a way I honestly wasn’t expecting.
I am such a creature of habit with sports romance. I usually just reread my comfort favorites because nothing ever quite compares. But this? This absolutely did it for me.
The emotional arc was SO well done. The FMC was guarded without crossing into mean or unnecessarily prickly (which happens a lot in this genre). Her walls made sense. Her growth made sense. It felt layered and intentional instead of defensive for the sake of tension.
And the MMC? Certified green flag.
We love a man who shows up. We love a man who communicates. We love a man who chooses her consistently. That’s really what this book was about partnership, emotional maturity, and stepping up when it matters.
Also five stars purely for the fact that this was NOT a miscommunication trope. 🙌 No third-act nonsense. No drama that could’ve been solved with one sentence. Just two people actually talking and working through things like adults.
It was endearing, emotional, romantic, and so easy to devour. I’m honestly still a little stunned by how much this one hit for me.
Instant favorite.
Review of advance copy received from Author
My first ever arc and words cannot describe how blessed and lucky I feel for it to have been with this book. This review is totally unbiased and completely truthful despite it being an ARC. Truthfully I preordered the book on my own when I first discovered it on Instagram before I even was selected for an ARC and will 100% be rereading it once it is released and my copy gets to me BUT now to the good stuff, so yes I was so excited when I heard about this book and I think it’s the fastest I finished a book…ever like I spent all of my Valentine’s Day reading front to back and I do not regret it one bit. I could not put it down! And let me just say this book took me on an emotional rollercoaster. Matt and Ellie and all of the other characters were so lovable and just perfect. The story itself chefs kiss. The amount of surprises and times my jaw was on the floor. 100% will be reading again…and again. I’m not one to cry during a book but this one definitely came with some (ok maybe more than some) tears, both happy and sad but then happy again. I’m not even exaggerating when I say this book is so well written and so perfect in every way. I would give it 100 stars if I could.
Review of advance copy
Being someone’s Endgame is the greatest feeling in the world.
Matt is at the end of his hockey career and feels completely lost. Play a few more seasons or retire on a high note? Calling it quits seems like losing the biggest part of himself.
Ellie is a dedicated, sweet nurse with a broken heart and is carrying an enormous grief.
When they meet and Ellie makes him the craziest and cutest proposition every, everything changes.
Their usual guarded hearts start to slowly open up and their priorities shift.
Endgame is a raw, real, beautiful story that describes how love can help you face your fears, overcome your insecurities, help you heal, make you feel alive and comfort you in difficult times.
Willa Gray gives us an emotional hockey romance that focus on how grief and fear can feel overwhelming, but if you let your guard down and fight for true love, it will be worth it.
The story is truly beautiful and treats harsh topics in the lightest and sweetest way. It’s pure, spicy and swoon worthy.
Thank you for the ARC.
Matt is at the end of his hockey career and feels completely lost. Play a few more seasons or retire on a high note? Calling it quits seems like losing the biggest part of himself.
Ellie is a dedicated, sweet nurse with a broken heart and is carrying an enormous grief.
When they meet and Ellie makes him the craziest and cutest proposition every, everything changes.
Their usual guarded hearts start to slowly open up and their priorities shift.
Endgame is a raw, real, beautiful story that describes how love can help you face your fears, overcome your insecurities, help you heal, make you feel alive and comfort you in difficult times.
Willa Gray gives us an emotional hockey romance that focus on how grief and fear can feel overwhelming, but if you let your guard down and fight for true love, it will be worth it.
The story is truly beautiful and treats harsh topics in the lightest and sweetest way. It’s pure, spicy and swoon worthy.
Thank you for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
BETA READ
Release date: February 26th, 2026 ✨
I absolutely adored this story + can’t wait for it to be out in the world!
Featuring:
🏒 Hockey captain x ER nurse
📟 Age gap romance
🫦 F*ck buddies
😏 He falls first
🌞 Cinnamon roll MMC x sunshine FMC
❤️🩹 Grief rep
🚫 No third act breakup
& I’d say it’s around 2.5-3🌶️ on the spice scale! 😉
would definitely recommend an add to the TBR for all the hockey romance lovers!
thank you to the author herself for allowing me to beta read this story, I am honored to have received an early copy. all thoughts + opinions are my own ✨
Release date: February 26th, 2026 ✨
I absolutely adored this story + can’t wait for it to be out in the world!
Featuring:
🏒 Hockey captain x ER nurse
📟 Age gap romance
🫦 F*ck buddies
😏 He falls first
🌞 Cinnamon roll MMC x sunshine FMC
❤️🩹 Grief rep
🚫 No third act breakup
& I’d say it’s around 2.5-3🌶️ on the spice scale! 😉
would definitely recommend an add to the TBR for all the hockey romance lovers!
thank you to the author herself for allowing me to beta read this story, I am honored to have received an early copy. all thoughts + opinions are my own ✨
Review of advance copy
Coming in knowing he wanted more, just didn’t know how much more and that she would ultimately be his endgame. She actually had no clue who he was, just a Clark Kent type of guy. Which is a blessing for him.
The way they were falling for each other and didn’t even recognize it until it already happened. And the way he is a walking green flag. So much to love! But please read the trigger warnings before you start ♥️. I mean who doesn’t want to be someone’s endgame.
I received a free copy of this book via the author's ARC campaign before launch and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The way they were falling for each other and didn’t even recognize it until it already happened. And the way he is a walking green flag. So much to love! But please read the trigger warnings before you start ♥️. I mean who doesn’t want to be someone’s endgame.
I received a free copy of this book via the author's ARC campaign before launch and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Endgame is a strangers to lovers, he falls first, Trauma/grief, ER Nurse/ Hockey Captain romance that will uplift and inspire you. This book will take you on an emotional journey. Matt is the ultimate golden retriever, cinnamon roll, green flag boyfriend who embodies the kind of love we all aspire to find. This is my first book by Willa Gray but it has ignited a desire to read more of her work. Her writing is truly captivating and I felt compelled to devour every word.
February 15, 2026
ARC REVIEW
So glad I got send a ARC I’ve been looking forward for this book for a while! I really enjoyed it, I love a man who falls first and harder and Matt is exactly that man! This was such a cute and heartwarming read.
Tropes:
🏒 Hockey Captain x ER Nurse
🩺 age gap
🏒 f*ck buddies
🩺 he falls first
🏒 navigating grief
🩺 cinnamon roll MMC
🏒 sunshine FMC (w/ cloudy days)
Out February 26th 💖✨
So glad I got send a ARC I’ve been looking forward for this book for a while! I really enjoyed it, I love a man who falls first and harder and Matt is exactly that man! This was such a cute and heartwarming read.
Tropes:
🏒 Hockey Captain x ER Nurse
🩺 age gap
🏒 f*ck buddies
🩺 he falls first
🏒 navigating grief
🩺 cinnamon roll MMC
🏒 sunshine FMC (w/ cloudy days)
Out February 26th 💖✨
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was a sweet hockey romance. The MMC Matt and FMC Ellie were both very likeable and their story believable. Ellie has had some trauma to work through and I liked that it was not resolved all at once. The side characters of Ellie and Matt’s friends, teammates, coworkers, and family were also interesting to read about and I hope at least some of them get future stories of their own.
I was given an ARC and this is my honest review.
I was given an ARC and this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy
I got the opportunity to read the ARC of this book. I loved this book so much!! I read from cover to cover in a span of a couple of hours! I would love to have more books in this universe. Nate's book possibly???
I loved the writing style of this book. It was so easy to lose yourself in the book you melt into the world of Endgame! I loved this book. I really hope she writes more.
I loved the writing style of this book. It was so easy to lose yourself in the book you melt into the world of Endgame! I loved this book. I really hope she writes more.
February 14, 2026
4.5 ⭐️s
I devoured this book in one setting, and it got me out of a long reading slump. Matt might the most head over heals in love golden retriever there ever was, and I’m obsessed with him. The perfect Valentine’s Day read.
Definitely check the trigger warnings because this does cover some heavy topics.
ARC provided by Love Notes PR
I devoured this book in one setting, and it got me out of a long reading slump. Matt might the most head over heals in love golden retriever there ever was, and I’m obsessed with him. The perfect Valentine’s Day read.
Definitely check the trigger warnings because this does cover some heavy topics.
ARC provided by Love Notes PR
February 15, 2026
Okay…
This book was AMAZING! Not even just for the spice but the storyline itself was captivating and I couldn’t put it down for a second! Both characters development throughout the story was amazing and their growth together was legit, making me cry!!!
Read this book, no notes🥺🩵
This book was AMAZING! Not even just for the spice but the storyline itself was captivating and I couldn’t put it down for a second! Both characters development throughout the story was amazing and their growth together was legit, making me cry!!!
Read this book, no notes🥺🩵
Review of advance copy
── pre-read!
my arc was approved! so so so excited to dive into this!
thank you, love notes pr and willa gray, for a free arc in exchange for an honest review.
my arc was approved! so so so excited to dive into this!
thank you, love notes pr and willa gray, for a free arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you for the ARC! I really enjoyed this book!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews