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Brooklyn Blades #1
The Ultimate Goal
Rip
In the fifteen years I’ve played for the Brooklyn Blades, I’ve won all the awards except the most important one. The Stanley Cup.
But my annoying ex-boyfriend is the team’s goalie, and the paparazzi is loving it. What’s worse is, my absentee father decides to make an appearance and won’t leave me alone.
I’m ignoring it all. My ultimate goal is to win the Cup.
Then my best friend’s younger brother, Adrian, shows up to interview me for the sports segment of the evening news. He’s nervous and unsure, so I have to help him. We grew up together,but I barely noticed him then.
I’m definitely noticing him now.
Adrian
Our sports reporter is injured, so I have to cover the hockey game when my ultimate goal is to be a hard news reporter. Not only am I camera shy, but I know nothing about sports. Sure, I know Rip Tremaine—I’ve had a crush on him for years. Not that he’s ever noticed me.
Maybe I can fake it.
Nope, I can’t.
But Rip saves my interview, and now the station wants me to follow the team. With my job on the line, Rip comes up with a plan: Get my own sports show to prove I can be on camera. I’ll pretend to be his boyfriend, and no one will know, not even my brother.
I’ll have unlimited access to the team.
And Rip.
We can do this. We’re professionals. He’s teaching me all about hockey…and kissing. And I’m helping him navigate his father’s betrayal.
Except neither one of us is pretending anymore. And our ultimate goal now is to win it the Cup, my job, and love.
In the fifteen years I’ve played for the Brooklyn Blades, I’ve won all the awards except the most important one. The Stanley Cup.
But my annoying ex-boyfriend is the team’s goalie, and the paparazzi is loving it. What’s worse is, my absentee father decides to make an appearance and won’t leave me alone.
I’m ignoring it all. My ultimate goal is to win the Cup.
Then my best friend’s younger brother, Adrian, shows up to interview me for the sports segment of the evening news. He’s nervous and unsure, so I have to help him. We grew up together,but I barely noticed him then.
I’m definitely noticing him now.
Adrian
Our sports reporter is injured, so I have to cover the hockey game when my ultimate goal is to be a hard news reporter. Not only am I camera shy, but I know nothing about sports. Sure, I know Rip Tremaine—I’ve had a crush on him for years. Not that he’s ever noticed me.
Maybe I can fake it.
Nope, I can’t.
But Rip saves my interview, and now the station wants me to follow the team. With my job on the line, Rip comes up with a plan: Get my own sports show to prove I can be on camera. I’ll pretend to be his boyfriend, and no one will know, not even my brother.
I’ll have unlimited access to the team.
And Rip.
We can do this. We’re professionals. He’s teaching me all about hockey…and kissing. And I’m helping him navigate his father’s betrayal.
Except neither one of us is pretending anymore. And our ultimate goal now is to win it the Cup, my job, and love.
313 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 29, 2026
About the author
Felice Stevens
94 books1,742 followersFelice Stevens writes romance because what is better than people falling in love? Her favorite part of a romance novel is that first kiss…sigh. She loves creating stories of hopes and dreams and happily ever afters. Her stories are character-driven, rich with the sights, sounds and flavors of New York City and filled with men who are sometimes deeply flawed but always real.
Felice writes M/M romance because she believes that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Having traveled all over the world, she can safely say that the universal language that unites people is love. Felice has written in a variety of sub-genres, including contemporary, paranormal and has a mystery series as well.
Felice is a two-time Lambda Literary Award nominee and the Lambda award-winner for Best Gay Romance for her book, The Ghost and Charlie Muir, as well as the e-Lit gold medal winner in romance for Broken Silence.
Felice writes M/M romance because she believes that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Having traveled all over the world, she can safely say that the universal language that unites people is love. Felice has written in a variety of sub-genres, including contemporary, paranormal and has a mystery series as well.
Felice is a two-time Lambda Literary Award nominee and the Lambda award-winner for Best Gay Romance for her book, The Ghost and Charlie Muir, as well as the e-Lit gold medal winner in romance for Broken Silence.
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February 17, 2026
The Ultimate Goal by Felice Stevens is book one in the series, Brooklyn Blades. Once again, Felice’s cover artist has knocked it out of the park with this one. I love this cover.
Ripley “Rip” Tremaine is the star center for the Brooklyn Blades hockey team. He is thirty six years old and he knows he most likely won’t be playing for much longer. He was drafted at twenty one so has been playing for fifteen years. His greatest dream, winning the Stanley Cup, has eluded him but he’s determined that this will be their year. He’s playing fantastic hockey, their entire team is the best they’ve ever been. One small issue is that Rip had been in a two year relationship with the goalie, Denis. They lived together and Rip thought they were forever, until he caught him cheating six months ago. On the ice, they have managed to maintain a working relationship but off the ice, all bets are off.
Adrian Hunt is twenty eight years old. He is the younger brother of Neil who is Rip’s best friend. Rip grew up with Neil and Adrian but Adrian was always the annoying little brother with eight years age difference. He and Rip haven’t seen each other in years. Adrian has always dreamed of being a hard news reporter. But he’s had trouble getting his career off the ground. He’s now working for channel 8 in Brooklyn as a sports reporter’s intern. It’s a way to get his foot in the door. The problem is, that as soon as that record light lights up on the camera, Adrian freezes. The main sports reporter that he works under has had an accident so Adrian is sent to the Blades locker room to interview them. And of course, Rip is standing there, the man he has pined after since he was a kid. Now Adrian is supposed to interview him!
Both of these men are trying their hardest for a goal they’ve always dreamed of. In the midst of it all, they find each other after many years. Now they are adults and eight years means nothing. Rip wants to devote every minute he has to winning the cup but for some reason, having Adrian nearby helps him. Rip’s missing father, a man he has never known, is also bothering them, wanting to talk to him. Rip wants nothing to do with him. So perhaps, if he and Adrian pretend to be boyfriends, they can help each other. Rip can help Adrian with his fear and Adrian can help him navigate these last few weeks before the finals. Only you know how that goes. It doesn’t take long for fake to start feeling very very real!
This was super sweet and I do need to say that I gasped towards the ending. My only issue was just that I didn’t love Adrian and Rip as much as I wanted to. I did really enjoy Adrian’s personal growth that he experienced. I was so proud of him. The next book in the series will be called The Ultimate Save and I am definitely planning to read it.
Ripley “Rip” Tremaine is the star center for the Brooklyn Blades hockey team. He is thirty six years old and he knows he most likely won’t be playing for much longer. He was drafted at twenty one so has been playing for fifteen years. His greatest dream, winning the Stanley Cup, has eluded him but he’s determined that this will be their year. He’s playing fantastic hockey, their entire team is the best they’ve ever been. One small issue is that Rip had been in a two year relationship with the goalie, Denis. They lived together and Rip thought they were forever, until he caught him cheating six months ago. On the ice, they have managed to maintain a working relationship but off the ice, all bets are off.
Adrian Hunt is twenty eight years old. He is the younger brother of Neil who is Rip’s best friend. Rip grew up with Neil and Adrian but Adrian was always the annoying little brother with eight years age difference. He and Rip haven’t seen each other in years. Adrian has always dreamed of being a hard news reporter. But he’s had trouble getting his career off the ground. He’s now working for channel 8 in Brooklyn as a sports reporter’s intern. It’s a way to get his foot in the door. The problem is, that as soon as that record light lights up on the camera, Adrian freezes. The main sports reporter that he works under has had an accident so Adrian is sent to the Blades locker room to interview them. And of course, Rip is standing there, the man he has pined after since he was a kid. Now Adrian is supposed to interview him!
Both of these men are trying their hardest for a goal they’ve always dreamed of. In the midst of it all, they find each other after many years. Now they are adults and eight years means nothing. Rip wants to devote every minute he has to winning the cup but for some reason, having Adrian nearby helps him. Rip’s missing father, a man he has never known, is also bothering them, wanting to talk to him. Rip wants nothing to do with him. So perhaps, if he and Adrian pretend to be boyfriends, they can help each other. Rip can help Adrian with his fear and Adrian can help him navigate these last few weeks before the finals. Only you know how that goes. It doesn’t take long for fake to start feeling very very real!
This was super sweet and I do need to say that I gasped towards the ending. My only issue was just that I didn’t love Adrian and Rip as much as I wanted to. I did really enjoy Adrian’s personal growth that he experienced. I was so proud of him. The next book in the series will be called The Ultimate Save and I am definitely planning to read it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5*
It's rare that Felice doesn't deliver a 5* read for me but this, unfortunately, was one of those few times.
While I liked the setting, and I liked both men individually, for me the relationship itself really didn't have enough depth to make me believe it developed so quickly and it was a whole lot messy as to just what, exactly, was going to be the plotline for it.
They start off as a let's fake the relationship for your career which I also didn't really fully get into because, as a former UK-based journalist for two decades, no-one would have given a shit who I was going out with relating to getting a boost for my job! In fact, it could have been seen as detrimental when I was seeing a policeman for example.
Now, obviously it might work totally differently in US sports media so I was willing to let that slide, but then they morphed into the let's have a real relationship but let everyone think it's still fake.
And then the last thing which had me seriously going wtf was the big drama at the Stanley Cup Final. I won't spoil it but I honestly was more on the are you kidding me front than the great idea to help Adrian with his career (again) front.
Having said all of the above, it's not a bad book, in fact it's a lovely book, it's got a very sweet couple of men reconnecting after years of not seeing each other (best friend's younger brother style) and finding they click.
But I would have really liked to have seen more time with the two of them building more slowly and carefully rather than Rip's dive head first into being in love because his ex-boyfriend had been such an arse.
Speaking of though, I am absolutely here for said ex-dick of a boyfriend's book coming up and seeing how he's going to redeem himself because Felice wrote one of my all time favourite bad boy romances James—Uncontrollable so I know she can knock it out the park!
#ARC kindly received from the author via GRR Tours, I am voluntarily leaving a review
It's rare that Felice doesn't deliver a 5* read for me but this, unfortunately, was one of those few times.
While I liked the setting, and I liked both men individually, for me the relationship itself really didn't have enough depth to make me believe it developed so quickly and it was a whole lot messy as to just what, exactly, was going to be the plotline for it.
They start off as a let's fake the relationship for your career which I also didn't really fully get into because, as a former UK-based journalist for two decades, no-one would have given a shit who I was going out with relating to getting a boost for my job! In fact, it could have been seen as detrimental when I was seeing a policeman for example.
Now, obviously it might work totally differently in US sports media so I was willing to let that slide, but then they morphed into the let's have a real relationship but let everyone think it's still fake.
And then the last thing which had me seriously going wtf was the big drama at the Stanley Cup Final. I won't spoil it but I honestly was more on the are you kidding me front than the great idea to help Adrian with his career (again) front.
Having said all of the above, it's not a bad book, in fact it's a lovely book, it's got a very sweet couple of men reconnecting after years of not seeing each other (best friend's younger brother style) and finding they click.
But I would have really liked to have seen more time with the two of them building more slowly and carefully rather than Rip's dive head first into being in love because his ex-boyfriend had been such an arse.
Speaking of though, I am absolutely here for said ex-dick of a boyfriend's book coming up and seeing how he's going to redeem himself because Felice wrote one of my all time favourite bad boy romances James—Uncontrollable so I know she can knock it out the park!
#ARC kindly received from the author via GRR Tours, I am voluntarily leaving a review
February 9, 2026
I liked the switch to hockey for this series! Good start to the new series, though it was oddly dramatic in places. Looking forward to the next.
RTC
RTC
May 2, 2026
Terlalu banyak puji2an, jadi berasa abis masuk ke Pondok Pujian yg di mall2 itu🤭
Tapi kenapa tetap kubaca? Karena seru juga ngata2in buku pemuja setanyahu 8-)
Bacanya juga di skip2, sex-nya juga ya gitu, repetitif dan bacanya juga dengan muka datar, eh, gak deng, di swipe left😚😆
Wkwkwkwkkwkks
Tapi kenapa tetap kubaca? Karena seru juga ngata2in buku pemuja setanyahu 8-)
Bacanya juga di skip2, sex-nya juga ya gitu, repetitif dan bacanya juga dengan muka datar, eh, gak deng, di swipe left😚😆
Wkwkwkwkkwkks
February 2, 2026
4.25 Stars!
I really felt for Rip. He was in an awkward situation with his ex, but felt he needed to be the unflappable, strong leader for the team. I could understand why he's decided to focus on hockey only, but he clearly needed someone with whom he could just be himself with. Adrian just wanted to be a reporter, but kept running into roadblocks. It was great to see them meet again after so long.
Both Rip and Adrian have a lot of people and expectations pulling them in multiple directions throughout the story. I liked that Adrian was honest with Rip about what his news station was trying to do, and they did a fairly good job of communicating as things kept changing between them. I really liked Rip and was glad that he and Adrian made the leap and were so happy together. I loved seeing Adrian's confidence grow and watching him stand up for himself and Rip when needed. These two were wonderful together; both men had big hearts. I was really glad when Adrian's brother accepted that Rip and Adrian were together, and that Rip finally felt like he could tell Neil the things he'd been avoiding talking about for so long.
While there were a few things in the story I found to be a little unlikely, I appreciated the opportunities for the characters to grow and be the men they truly were. I really didn't like Denis for pretty much the whole book, but it was clear he'd lost his bravado by the end, and now I'm curious about what's behind the mask he'd clearly been wearing. Thankfully, it seems his book is next, and I can't wait to read it.
*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn't a requirement.*
I really felt for Rip. He was in an awkward situation with his ex, but felt he needed to be the unflappable, strong leader for the team. I could understand why he's decided to focus on hockey only, but he clearly needed someone with whom he could just be himself with. Adrian just wanted to be a reporter, but kept running into roadblocks. It was great to see them meet again after so long.
Both Rip and Adrian have a lot of people and expectations pulling them in multiple directions throughout the story. I liked that Adrian was honest with Rip about what his news station was trying to do, and they did a fairly good job of communicating as things kept changing between them. I really liked Rip and was glad that he and Adrian made the leap and were so happy together. I loved seeing Adrian's confidence grow and watching him stand up for himself and Rip when needed. These two were wonderful together; both men had big hearts. I was really glad when Adrian's brother accepted that Rip and Adrian were together, and that Rip finally felt like he could tell Neil the things he'd been avoiding talking about for so long.
While there were a few things in the story I found to be a little unlikely, I appreciated the opportunities for the characters to grow and be the men they truly were. I really didn't like Denis for pretty much the whole book, but it was clear he'd lost his bravado by the end, and now I'm curious about what's behind the mask he'd clearly been wearing. Thankfully, it seems his book is next, and I can't wait to read it.
*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn't a requirement.*
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was such an amazing book, and I couldn't put it down. I love everything Felice writes, and her sports books are especially great. I'm really excited to read the next book.
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily gave my honest review.
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily gave my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was a cute read!
Tropes:
Age Gap
Brothers Best Friend/Best Friends Brother
Hockey
Fake Dating (kinda-but I’ll get into that)
MM
This book is mostly about Rip, who is a NHL hockey player, and Adrian who is Rip’s best friend’s little brother who reunite after quite a few years. Adrian is an aspiring news reporter who is working his way through the ladder and just happened to cover for someone else who is injured and ended up covering one of Rip’s games, so they meet again.
It’s kind of instant-lust, but they resist (for a little bit lol) due to the age gap, Adrian’s brother Neil, and the fact that they are both career focused right now. Rip is headed for the playoffs and Adrian is chasing his dreams- but then they decide to fake date, because it’s “all about who you know” in show business, Rip is a huge “in” connection for Adrian, so they fake date, while secretly they both truly want to date each other.
Obviously-possibly spoiler- they end up dating for real, but while still telling Neil and others that it’s all for show, navigating playoffs, making career making moves, family drama, past lover drama, and navigating their feelings for each other while navigating their feelings for each other and admitting to each other the truth of those feelings.
It’s a fast paced romance, I loved both boys so much. Rip is the hot older, experienced, and super supportive “let me help you” type of person, while Adrian is a sweetheart but lacks a lot of confidence,but had quite a bit of character growth throughout the book, thanks to Rip helping him build that confidence back up.
Overall a great read! I appreciate the ARC!
Tropes:
Age Gap
Brothers Best Friend/Best Friends Brother
Hockey
Fake Dating (kinda-but I’ll get into that)
MM
This book is mostly about Rip, who is a NHL hockey player, and Adrian who is Rip’s best friend’s little brother who reunite after quite a few years. Adrian is an aspiring news reporter who is working his way through the ladder and just happened to cover for someone else who is injured and ended up covering one of Rip’s games, so they meet again.
It’s kind of instant-lust, but they resist (for a little bit lol) due to the age gap, Adrian’s brother Neil, and the fact that they are both career focused right now. Rip is headed for the playoffs and Adrian is chasing his dreams- but then they decide to fake date, because it’s “all about who you know” in show business, Rip is a huge “in” connection for Adrian, so they fake date, while secretly they both truly want to date each other.
Obviously-possibly spoiler- they end up dating for real, but while still telling Neil and others that it’s all for show, navigating playoffs, making career making moves, family drama, past lover drama, and navigating their feelings for each other while navigating their feelings for each other and admitting to each other the truth of those feelings.
It’s a fast paced romance, I loved both boys so much. Rip is the hot older, experienced, and super supportive “let me help you” type of person, while Adrian is a sweetheart but lacks a lot of confidence,but had quite a bit of character growth throughout the book, thanks to Rip helping him build that confidence back up.
Overall a great read! I appreciate the ARC!
February 1, 2026
This was a fun start to a series.
It definitely makes me want to read more of her books, because this book did the most fascinating thing. It introduced a potential conflict or friction point, and then it just.........resolved it??????? Whereas most books would let it drag on for 100 pages, cause huge miscommunication moments, maybe even result in a third act breakup, this book let the characters be fully aware of like Or And it was so refreshing????????? I do wish we'd gotten a little more of an emotional range from both MCs, they both seemed to sit in anxiety for basically all of the book, and the building each other back up conversations got a little repetitive by the end. But I absolutely see the vision for why they'll work well together longterm.
I have some reservations for the main character of the next book, there are some things you just don't come back from, so we'll have to see how public opinion (read: my judgy ass) takes it.
Thanks to GRR for an eARC of this title in exchange for a fair review.
It definitely makes me want to read more of her books, because this book did the most fascinating thing. It introduced a potential conflict or friction point, and then it just.........resolved it??????? Whereas most books would let it drag on for 100 pages, cause huge miscommunication moments, maybe even result in a third act breakup, this book let the characters be fully aware of like Or And it was so refreshing????????? I do wish we'd gotten a little more of an emotional range from both MCs, they both seemed to sit in anxiety for basically all of the book, and the building each other back up conversations got a little repetitive by the end. But I absolutely see the vision for why they'll work well together longterm.
I have some reservations for the main character of the next book, there are some things you just don't come back from, so we'll have to see how public opinion (read: my judgy ass) takes it.
Thanks to GRR for an eARC of this title in exchange for a fair review.
Read
January 27, 2026𝐀𝐑𝐂: Thank you so much to XX for the opportunity to get an early copy
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞: 🌶 🌶
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: February 5, 2026 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥: 10/12
Thank you so much, Felice Stevens for the amazing opportunity to read this book! I absolutely had a blast.
This book had an age gap AND a brother’s best friend, and as soon as I saw those tropes, I was sold. We have Rip, who is an NHL player, who is 36 years old gound out the boyfriend of 2 years cheated on him, IN THIER OWN BED. So he is doesnt fully believe in love, but when his best friend’s younger brother (26 years old) comes to do an interview because the original person got into an accident. But he hasn’t seen Home Boy since his high school graduation, so when he sees him hes all “damn, he’s hot”.
They end up coming up with a plan to fake-date, but we all know that fake dating becomes real, and they end up falling in love. I think this book was so sweet and definitely on the slower side of things, but what I love is that there was not third act break up! We need more romances without a third act break up.
I will say that the next book is about Denis, who is the ex-boyfriend who cheated, and I really want to read his because, as much of a dick bag that he was in this book, I want to see his redemption arc.
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞: 🌶 🌶
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: February 5, 2026 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥: 10/12
Thank you so much, Felice Stevens for the amazing opportunity to read this book! I absolutely had a blast.
This book had an age gap AND a brother’s best friend, and as soon as I saw those tropes, I was sold. We have Rip, who is an NHL player, who is 36 years old gound out the boyfriend of 2 years cheated on him, IN THIER OWN BED. So he is doesnt fully believe in love, but when his best friend’s younger brother (26 years old) comes to do an interview because the original person got into an accident. But he hasn’t seen Home Boy since his high school graduation, so when he sees him hes all “damn, he’s hot”.
They end up coming up with a plan to fake-date, but we all know that fake dating becomes real, and they end up falling in love. I think this book was so sweet and definitely on the slower side of things, but what I love is that there was not third act break up! We need more romances without a third act break up.
I will say that the next book is about Denis, who is the ex-boyfriend who cheated, and I really want to read his because, as much of a dick bag that he was in this book, I want to see his redemption arc.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
I just love a good fake dating story, Add in hockey and brother's best friend, and you got the making of a great book. Rip is in his 15th year playing professionally and hasn't won the Stanley Cup yet. He's going to make this his year, he needs something good after breaking up with his cheating ex, who is also on his team. Adrian wants to be a big news reporter but hasn't caught a break yet. When filling in for the sports guy, he runs into Rip again. All these old feelings come rushing back. Rip can't believe Adrian is the same kid, it's been close to 20 years since they've seen each other. After talking and getting photographed together, Rip comes up with the plan to fake date. Lines blur and they become closer and feelings are genuine. Will Rip make it to the finals and finally get the cup? Will Adrian get his big break?
February 5, 2026
This book has all my favorite tropes. Hockey, MM romance, bestfriend's brother, a nice little age gap, and fake dating. Rip has one goal, and that's winning the Stanley Cup. Adrian's goal is to become a news reporter. When the two reconnect because of their jobs, then add in family and some ex drama, some goals get added, and stakes become higher. I absolutely loved both Adrian and Rip. They are amazing characters, and their chemistry was off the charts. Both characters are very determined and their efforts showed that. It was overall such a sweet romance. I was definitely hooked on the plot and couldn't wait to find out how everything played out. If you love the tropes listed above I feel like you would really enjoy this easy to read, feel good romance! Ohh, not to mention the spice was absolutely fantastic!
February 7, 2026
This is a best friend’s brother to more romance, featuring Rip Tremaine and Adrian Hunt, and is book one in the Brooklyn Blades series.
Rip is laser-focused on finally winning the Stanley Cup, until his best friend’s younger brother Adrian reenters his life. When a fake-boyfriend plan meant to help Adrian with his job as a sports reporter, gives them unlimited access to each other, pretending starts to feel real.
This was a sweet, feel-good hockey romance that leans hard into fake dating and soft feelings. Rip and Adrian’s chemistry is easy, tender, and satisfying, with just enough hockey drama and emotions to keep the story engaging without being heavy. It was such a great read.
Things to expect in this book are:
Book 1 in series
MM sports romance
Hockey player x reporter
Best friend’s brother
Small age gap (36/28)
Secret crush
Fake dating
Forced proximity
Spicy times
Ex drama
Admit feelings
Bit of drama
Found family
HEA
Rip is laser-focused on finally winning the Stanley Cup, until his best friend’s younger brother Adrian reenters his life. When a fake-boyfriend plan meant to help Adrian with his job as a sports reporter, gives them unlimited access to each other, pretending starts to feel real.
This was a sweet, feel-good hockey romance that leans hard into fake dating and soft feelings. Rip and Adrian’s chemistry is easy, tender, and satisfying, with just enough hockey drama and emotions to keep the story engaging without being heavy. It was such a great read.
Things to expect in this book are:
Book 1 in series
MM sports romance
Hockey player x reporter
Best friend’s brother
Small age gap (36/28)
Secret crush
Fake dating
Forced proximity
Spicy times
Ex drama
Admit feelings
Bit of drama
Found family
HEA
Did Not Finish
March 6, 2026I made it about 30% in and had to call it quits. Adrian was too wimpy for me. He wasn’t confident and wasn’t assertive in anyway but yet he thought being on live tv interviewing people was a good career choice?
I normally really enjoy the best friend’s brother trope but only if it’s done right and this book did not accomplish that. The attraction between the two main characters didn’t feel believable. I felt like Rip had more chemistry with his ex than Adrian. This book was just a big no for me.
I normally really enjoy the best friend’s brother trope but only if it’s done right and this book did not accomplish that. The attraction between the two main characters didn’t feel believable. I felt like Rip had more chemistry with his ex than Adrian. This book was just a big no for me.
April 7, 2026
Things I loved about this book:
-- Rip is the quintessential golden retriever MMC. He's bright, friendly and always looking to help and care for others. He's such a ray of sunshine.
--- Adrian is adorable. He needs to work on his confidence, but he's a hard worker, kind and just wants to do his best at what he's doing.
-- I love how Rip and Adrian find their way back to each other after so many years. They grew up together, but this is the first time they're getting to know each other as adults. But Rip doesn't hesitate to pull Adrian into his circle and help him however he can. What a sweetheart!
On the flip side -- there was a lot going on in this book and it often felt like the conflict was unfocused for me. There's the drama with Rip's dad and the trauma about his past, Adrian's job/boss troubles, Rip's friction with Denis that keeps popping up, the objections from Adrian's brother, and then the (no spoilers) more big-ticket events that happen at the end. It felt like a lot, and like some of it didn't really feel realistic. Some of the refences to 9/11 also rubbed me the wrong way. They felt inappropriate and a little too flip. That's just my take!
-- Rip is the quintessential golden retriever MMC. He's bright, friendly and always looking to help and care for others. He's such a ray of sunshine.
--- Adrian is adorable. He needs to work on his confidence, but he's a hard worker, kind and just wants to do his best at what he's doing.
-- I love how Rip and Adrian find their way back to each other after so many years. They grew up together, but this is the first time they're getting to know each other as adults. But Rip doesn't hesitate to pull Adrian into his circle and help him however he can. What a sweetheart!
On the flip side -- there was a lot going on in this book and it often felt like the conflict was unfocused for me. There's the drama with Rip's dad and the trauma about his past, Adrian's job/boss troubles, Rip's friction with Denis that keeps popping up, the objections from Adrian's brother, and then the (no spoilers) more big-ticket events that happen at the end. It felt like a lot, and like some of it didn't really feel realistic. Some of the refences to 9/11 also rubbed me the wrong way. They felt inappropriate and a little too flip. That's just my take!
January 29, 2026
Main Characters: Adrian & Rip
Tropes: best friends brother, MM, hockey, friends to lovers, fake-dating
I already love a best friend’s brother; a friends to lovers; a fake-dating; a hockey - book but put them all together and add it being MM😮💨 I knew it was gonna be good, but not THAT good! I will say when authors add a little surprise 10% left of the book it kills me😅
One of my favorite things about this book is that it had a few characters from Felice’s other books in it as well!! If you’ve read the Brooklyn Kings series you will see a few of those character in there.
Tropes: best friends brother, MM, hockey, friends to lovers, fake-dating
I already love a best friend’s brother; a friends to lovers; a fake-dating; a hockey - book but put them all together and add it being MM😮💨 I knew it was gonna be good, but not THAT good! I will say when authors add a little surprise 10% left of the book it kills me😅
One of my favorite things about this book is that it had a few characters from Felice’s other books in it as well!! If you’ve read the Brooklyn Kings series you will see a few of those character in there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5 stars
The premise of this book is really good. I found the pacing a little off in parts, I wanted more depth to the side characters and it felt like hockey and smut were doing a lot of the lifting for this book despite the plot having major potential.
The premise of this book is really good. I found the pacing a little off in parts, I wanted more depth to the side characters and it felt like hockey and smut were doing a lot of the lifting for this book despite the plot having major potential.
May 1, 2026
4.5
Rip and Adrian captured my heart from the moment they interacted on the page. They were perfect for each other. Fake dating and brother's best friend are two tropes that I love. I liked that the conflicts were resolved in a realistic way.
Rip and Adrian captured my heart from the moment they interacted on the page. They were perfect for each other. Fake dating and brother's best friend are two tropes that I love. I liked that the conflicts were resolved in a realistic way.
January 30, 2026
rip and Adrian's story was so amazing I loved every word and every page
the story was intense addictive emotional at times and just pure perfection
the story was intense addictive emotional at times and just pure perfection
May 5, 2026
Rip + Adrian, quick easy read, a little corny but mostly great
May 19, 2026
4.5 stars reviewing after zzzs
January 24, 2026
A hockey player and a reporter, crushing on your older brother’s best friend, fake relationship to real one, wants not to like/ love of this book? I enjoyed this book immensely, I read it in one sitting. I loved Adrian and Rip and their story was sweet and a little sad, only because of Adrian’s not believing in himself bur Rip helped him change that quickly and Adrian became the best and they became close and helped each other and became a perfect couple playing pretend couple, so freaking good! I couldn’t put my E- reader down. I loved the story, the epilogue brought happy tears to my eyes. A Wonderful start to a new series and it was nice to read about previous characters from other books. A Recommended Read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2026
1.75 ⭐️
DNF @ 70%.
I feel like at times the relationship aspects in this book was an afterthought and at other times the hockey parts were an afterthought. The two aspects just never felt well balanced.
This felt pretty insta-love for me which is a trope I despise...
The narration for this book was pretty odd.... I feel like the narrator has a narration 'persona' that he gets into but it just sounds like he's doing the awkward sigh-talk thing the entire time and it doesn't fit the content or mood of the chapters. Probably won't be listening to him again.
DNF @ 70%.
I feel like at times the relationship aspects in this book was an afterthought and at other times the hockey parts were an afterthought. The two aspects just never felt well balanced.
This felt pretty insta-love for me which is a trope I despise...
The narration for this book was pretty odd.... I feel like the narrator has a narration 'persona' that he gets into but it just sounds like he's doing the awkward sigh-talk thing the entire time and it doesn't fit the content or mood of the chapters. Probably won't be listening to him again.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thanks to Happily Booked PR for the arc! Really enjoyed! Great characters & liked the banter. Excited for the next!
February 5, 2026
3.5/4 stars
February 15, 2026
3.75 Stars / 2.5 chilies
Tropes: MM romance, Hockey romance, Age gap, Best friend's brother, Fake dating,
Note going forward: Possible spoilers
A little slow going, but once it picks up, it's darn near perfect!
Rip, who's getting along in age where professional hockey won't be available to him as a profession anymore, wants just one thing: to win the Stanley Cup. It's something that he has striven for, for years. One way or the other, he'll do what he needs to do. In his personal life, his confidence is shattered when he'd found his boyfriend, his lover, in bed with another man. It kills to see him, his teammate, every day.
And we have Adrian, who feels like he's never been seen. Having been to multiple cities, wanting nothing more than to be an evening news anchor, he's been through multiple jobs, getting fired from each one. His last one was disastrous, as his report included the mayor with the station boss's wife, even though he didn't realize it was her. When opportunity knocks, his brother helps land him an interview back home, and he jumps at the chance.
Running into Rip, the object of his longtime crush, wasn't what he was expecting. As his older brother's best friend, growing up, he always felt like a tag along every time he was with them. He crushed on him hard, but never acted on it. By the time he would have found the courage, Rip was off to college, then hockey.
Having to do interviews as a reporter, Adrian is a nervous wreck, but Rip does what he can to put him at ease.
Afterwards, they meet up, and Rip gives Adrian a proposition. Pretend to date me, and I'll help you work on those jangled nerves so that you're more at ease in front of a camera, especially about hockey and work on sports. Adrian agrees, although he doesn't believe that Rip would ever love him back. To him, when this is all over, Rip will walk away intact, while Adrian will be left shattered.
He never expected Rip to love him back.
Yes, it is a little slow going at the beginning, but when it starts to pick up, it doesn't stop. I think Rip and Adrian are perfect for each other, from the way they care about each other, push each other, understand each other. I was getting irritated at Adrian's brother, who kept trying to "warn" Adrian that Rip didn't do relationships. Yeah, well, it's obvious he didn't really have a heart-to-heart with Rip.
I understood how Rip felt about his father showing up out of the blue, and his refusal of wanting anything to do with him, but I was glad that, at the end of the book, they're starting to work on a relationship.
And even completely irritated with Denis, who cheated on Rip, is starting to understand, and I'm curious to see how his redemption arc will play out in Book #2.
If you're looking for a good MM story that isn't so complicated to read, this is definitely one to go with.
NB: Thank you, Happily Booked and Felice Stevens, for the ARC copy of this book. An ARC copy does not, and never has, guaranteed a 5-star review from me. All opinions in this review are my own.
Tropes: MM romance, Hockey romance, Age gap, Best friend's brother, Fake dating,
Note going forward: Possible spoilers
A little slow going, but once it picks up, it's darn near perfect!
Rip, who's getting along in age where professional hockey won't be available to him as a profession anymore, wants just one thing: to win the Stanley Cup. It's something that he has striven for, for years. One way or the other, he'll do what he needs to do. In his personal life, his confidence is shattered when he'd found his boyfriend, his lover, in bed with another man. It kills to see him, his teammate, every day.
And we have Adrian, who feels like he's never been seen. Having been to multiple cities, wanting nothing more than to be an evening news anchor, he's been through multiple jobs, getting fired from each one. His last one was disastrous, as his report included the mayor with the station boss's wife, even though he didn't realize it was her. When opportunity knocks, his brother helps land him an interview back home, and he jumps at the chance.
Running into Rip, the object of his longtime crush, wasn't what he was expecting. As his older brother's best friend, growing up, he always felt like a tag along every time he was with them. He crushed on him hard, but never acted on it. By the time he would have found the courage, Rip was off to college, then hockey.
Having to do interviews as a reporter, Adrian is a nervous wreck, but Rip does what he can to put him at ease.
Afterwards, they meet up, and Rip gives Adrian a proposition. Pretend to date me, and I'll help you work on those jangled nerves so that you're more at ease in front of a camera, especially about hockey and work on sports. Adrian agrees, although he doesn't believe that Rip would ever love him back. To him, when this is all over, Rip will walk away intact, while Adrian will be left shattered.
He never expected Rip to love him back.
Yes, it is a little slow going at the beginning, but when it starts to pick up, it doesn't stop. I think Rip and Adrian are perfect for each other, from the way they care about each other, push each other, understand each other. I was getting irritated at Adrian's brother, who kept trying to "warn" Adrian that Rip didn't do relationships. Yeah, well, it's obvious he didn't really have a heart-to-heart with Rip.
I understood how Rip felt about his father showing up out of the blue, and his refusal of wanting anything to do with him, but I was glad that, at the end of the book, they're starting to work on a relationship.
And even completely irritated with Denis, who cheated on Rip, is starting to understand, and I'm curious to see how his redemption arc will play out in Book #2.
If you're looking for a good MM story that isn't so complicated to read, this is definitely one to go with.
NB: Thank you, Happily Booked and Felice Stevens, for the ARC copy of this book. An ARC copy does not, and never has, guaranteed a 5-star review from me. All opinions in this review are my own.
February 7, 2026
This book was a slow start for me and there were times I wanted to put the book down because it wasn’t at the good stuff yet. But I held out and I was so glad that I did in the end.
Because y'all this book has so much longing especially from Adrian who was practically just the tag-a-long younger brother. He had this massive crush on Rip but felt like he would never be seen by him because of him being younger and Rip being older, hotter (Adrian insecure), and the fact that he had a bit of a reckless playboy phase when he first came out while playing professional Hockey for the Brooklyn Blades.
Adrian had moved back home after being fired because he thought he had some huge story when really he had caught the town's Mayor with his News Station's Boss's Wife... So he was let go and decided to come back home.
He never was interested in sports not like his brother Neil or Neil's best friend Rip Tremaine the now Captian of the Brooklyn Blades. The two only cross paths again because Louie the Sports News reporter had injured himself and was in the hospital. So Adrian was sent as a fill-in and that's when the two to of them reconnect.
At first Rip just wants to help Adrian out, he can tell how nervous he is and unsure of himself and that makes him more protective of the man. Especially when his cheating ex-bf Denis (a goalie for the Brooklyn Blades) starts flirting with him. The two of them start out as friends while trying and failing to ignore the obvious chemistry between them.
Eventually Rip comes up with the idea to Fake Date, and Adrian the sweet adorable man that he is feels uncomfortable about faking it and lying even if it is to help him gain confidence in front of the camera and help him get his foot in the door with Chanel 8 Sports News.
What starts off as sweet and innocent slowly becomes passionate heat and yearning for each other and they start to realize maybe we don't have to pretend. But they each get some misunderstandings from each other that make it seem like they don't want more with each other.
But once they get their issues figured out, their chemistry is off the charts like Rip has someone in his corner that loves him for him, the man underneath all of the Hockey gear. And Adrian gets someone who actually wants to see him strive and tells him time and time again that it is okay to take up space, it's okay to voice things out loud and too stop putting ourselves down.
Also I love the ending with John Carver, the fact that Rip and him finally start getting to have a relationship and to slowly build up what was missing between them for soo many years.
I also love that even Denis is starting to see the error of his ways and realize that showing off and making everything a competition isn't all its cracked up to be especially when you end up alone while your ex is living his best life with his new boo.. I really hope Denis has one hell of a redemption ark in Book 2.
Because y'all this book has so much longing especially from Adrian who was practically just the tag-a-long younger brother. He had this massive crush on Rip but felt like he would never be seen by him because of him being younger and Rip being older, hotter (Adrian insecure), and the fact that he had a bit of a reckless playboy phase when he first came out while playing professional Hockey for the Brooklyn Blades.
Adrian had moved back home after being fired because he thought he had some huge story when really he had caught the town's Mayor with his News Station's Boss's Wife... So he was let go and decided to come back home.
He never was interested in sports not like his brother Neil or Neil's best friend Rip Tremaine the now Captian of the Brooklyn Blades. The two only cross paths again because Louie the Sports News reporter had injured himself and was in the hospital. So Adrian was sent as a fill-in and that's when the two to of them reconnect.
At first Rip just wants to help Adrian out, he can tell how nervous he is and unsure of himself and that makes him more protective of the man. Especially when his cheating ex-bf Denis (a goalie for the Brooklyn Blades) starts flirting with him. The two of them start out as friends while trying and failing to ignore the obvious chemistry between them.
Eventually Rip comes up with the idea to Fake Date, and Adrian the sweet adorable man that he is feels uncomfortable about faking it and lying even if it is to help him gain confidence in front of the camera and help him get his foot in the door with Chanel 8 Sports News.
What starts off as sweet and innocent slowly becomes passionate heat and yearning for each other and they start to realize maybe we don't have to pretend. But they each get some misunderstandings from each other that make it seem like they don't want more with each other.
But once they get their issues figured out, their chemistry is off the charts like Rip has someone in his corner that loves him for him, the man underneath all of the Hockey gear. And Adrian gets someone who actually wants to see him strive and tells him time and time again that it is okay to take up space, it's okay to voice things out loud and too stop putting ourselves down.
Also I love the ending with John Carver, the fact that Rip and him finally start getting to have a relationship and to slowly build up what was missing between them for soo many years.
I also love that even Denis is starting to see the error of his ways and realize that showing off and making everything a competition isn't all its cracked up to be especially when you end up alone while your ex is living his best life with his new boo.. I really hope Denis has one hell of a redemption ark in Book 2.
January 28, 2026
Another great story from Felice.
I love it when one of her new books drops into my inbox. I cant wait to devour it and this was no different.
Rip, one of the str players on the Brooklyn Blades hockey team is dealing with a lot at the moment. He's hoping to win the Stanley Cup with his team, a team that includes his ex, as the goalie. He is also being harassed by his estranged father who left before he was born. He needs to get his head in the game to win that Cup.
Enter Adrian, his besties little brother. He is a gofer type person at the local tv station but is asked to cover the sports for a show while his boss is recovering. Adrian has always wanted to be a serious journalist. Sports was not his forte, nor his choice.
He's tasked with interviewing The Blades and comes face to face with his crush from his youth. Rip Tremaine. His brothers best friend who used to live with them when they were kids. The interview starts to go down hill fast but luckily Rip saves it and makes Adrian look at least ok. Ok enough that the bosses now want Adrian to follow the team.
After a few paparazzi pics are taken of the two of them rumours start to spread about their relationship and Adrian's bosses want to take full advantage of this and get the inside scoop. Rip hears of this and devices a plan to help Adrian advance his career, get him his own show. A plan that involves them faking a relationship.
Despite his crush Adrian has to do this and make it work so he can prove everyone wrong that he can be a serious reporter, But through spending time together Adrian also helps Rip navigate the fractured relationship with his father.
A few bumps occur along the way in the form of Rips teammate and ex and Adrian's brother, Rips best friend. Do they tell everyone what's going on or do they keep up the lie to get to both of their ultimate goals??????
I love a brothers best friend trope and this one is good. Neil ( his brother) doesn't approve due to age difference. He's worried Adrian will get hurt.
Friends to Lovers is in here as well and the build up from being sort of strangers to friends to lovers is worth the wait. Especially seeing the yearning from both men. This can then also be a slow burn as well (not that slow though)
I love a supportive set of secondary characters and Adrian's old boss and Rips teammates are those characters. They inject a bit of hope and optimism that is needed to navigate the work and inspire the love.
And of course there's the douchy characters which is, of course, Rips ex who likes to stir the pot between Rip and Adrian. Adrian's higher ups at the station and his coworkers are also a bit douchey as they lack complete support of him in his endeavors.
I liked the crossover and visit from familiar faces from Brooklyn Kings NFL players. It links the story nicely.
Overall it was just ehat i needed and cant wait for Book 2 ( and hopefully a few more)
****I was given this book as an ARC for my honest opinion***
I love it when one of her new books drops into my inbox. I cant wait to devour it and this was no different.
Rip, one of the str players on the Brooklyn Blades hockey team is dealing with a lot at the moment. He's hoping to win the Stanley Cup with his team, a team that includes his ex, as the goalie. He is also being harassed by his estranged father who left before he was born. He needs to get his head in the game to win that Cup.
Enter Adrian, his besties little brother. He is a gofer type person at the local tv station but is asked to cover the sports for a show while his boss is recovering. Adrian has always wanted to be a serious journalist. Sports was not his forte, nor his choice.
He's tasked with interviewing The Blades and comes face to face with his crush from his youth. Rip Tremaine. His brothers best friend who used to live with them when they were kids. The interview starts to go down hill fast but luckily Rip saves it and makes Adrian look at least ok. Ok enough that the bosses now want Adrian to follow the team.
After a few paparazzi pics are taken of the two of them rumours start to spread about their relationship and Adrian's bosses want to take full advantage of this and get the inside scoop. Rip hears of this and devices a plan to help Adrian advance his career, get him his own show. A plan that involves them faking a relationship.
Despite his crush Adrian has to do this and make it work so he can prove everyone wrong that he can be a serious reporter, But through spending time together Adrian also helps Rip navigate the fractured relationship with his father.
A few bumps occur along the way in the form of Rips teammate and ex and Adrian's brother, Rips best friend. Do they tell everyone what's going on or do they keep up the lie to get to both of their ultimate goals??????
I love a brothers best friend trope and this one is good. Neil ( his brother) doesn't approve due to age difference. He's worried Adrian will get hurt.
Friends to Lovers is in here as well and the build up from being sort of strangers to friends to lovers is worth the wait. Especially seeing the yearning from both men. This can then also be a slow burn as well (not that slow though)
I love a supportive set of secondary characters and Adrian's old boss and Rips teammates are those characters. They inject a bit of hope and optimism that is needed to navigate the work and inspire the love.
And of course there's the douchy characters which is, of course, Rips ex who likes to stir the pot between Rip and Adrian. Adrian's higher ups at the station and his coworkers are also a bit douchey as they lack complete support of him in his endeavors.
I liked the crossover and visit from familiar faces from Brooklyn Kings NFL players. It links the story nicely.
Overall it was just ehat i needed and cant wait for Book 2 ( and hopefully a few more)
****I was given this book as an ARC for my honest opinion***
January 21, 2026
This was my first book by this author and I was a pretty enjoyable read. I have to admit I am pretty picky when it comes to sports romances and this one had some hit and miss elements.
Some things I really enjoyed:
✨ The hockey! I hate when sports romances don’t actually include the dang sport, but this one had lots of skating, scoring and shenanigans on ice!
✨ The ex. Weirdly enough 😹 Rip’s ex boyfriend Denis is the team goalie and frankly he is a mess of a human; petty and flirty and just awful. I loved him.
✨ Fake dating to help Adrian’s career. I love a bit of fake dating, and we all know how it usually ends up 😏
Some things I struggled with:
✨ The treatment of the age gap; there is an 8 year age gap between Rip & Adrian but lawd, at the beginning of the book it’s ‘kid’ this and ‘little brother’ that - they make such a big deal over it. And sure, maybe if they were 22 and 30… but they are 28 and 36!!!! The ‘kid’ in question is 28. He’s nearly 30. Good grief.
✨ On that note, Adrian acted so young. So unsure of himself and immature and nervy, despite being 28 and having lived and worked on his own for presumably nearly a decade after he left college. In my mind I had to down-age him just to make his behaviour make sense.
✨ I struggled to tell the different between Rip and Adrian’s narrative voices.
✨ Rip’s mum was murdered when he was twelve. Not a spoiler, this lore is dropped within the first few pages. You would have NO IDEA though; Rip doesn’t seem to suffer any trauma over it other than some vague abandonment issues. If you’re gonna kill of a character’s parent, at least have it mean something.
Cannot decide if good or bad:
✨ Last twenty percent read like a telenovela 😹 I’m not gonna post spoilers, but lordy lord the sheer amount of drama shoved into the last few chapters was eye-rollingly ridiculous. Oh the drama. The chaos.
So overall a mixed bag; I’ve definitely read better sports romances, but equally, this did hold my attention pretty well. I’d definitely be interested in a book about Rip’s ex, Denis the chaos-gremlin goalie, which I’m hoping is book 2 in this series!
Read The Ultimate Goal for:
✨ Hockey player x reporter
✨ Best friend’s brother
✨ Age gap (28 x 36)
✨ Fake dating
✨ Battle for the Stanley Cup
✨ Maybe he’s born with it, maybe it’s nepotism
✨ Echoes of CatSeb’s YSBSL
✨ Deadbeat dad coming outta the woodwork
✨ Denis the ex was my favourite character
✨ Actual hockey! In a hockey book! Yay!
Thanks to GRR for an ARC of this book! It’s available 1st Feb.
Some things I really enjoyed:
✨ The hockey! I hate when sports romances don’t actually include the dang sport, but this one had lots of skating, scoring and shenanigans on ice!
✨ The ex. Weirdly enough 😹 Rip’s ex boyfriend Denis is the team goalie and frankly he is a mess of a human; petty and flirty and just awful. I loved him.
✨ Fake dating to help Adrian’s career. I love a bit of fake dating, and we all know how it usually ends up 😏
Some things I struggled with:
✨ The treatment of the age gap; there is an 8 year age gap between Rip & Adrian but lawd, at the beginning of the book it’s ‘kid’ this and ‘little brother’ that - they make such a big deal over it. And sure, maybe if they were 22 and 30… but they are 28 and 36!!!! The ‘kid’ in question is 28. He’s nearly 30. Good grief.
✨ On that note, Adrian acted so young. So unsure of himself and immature and nervy, despite being 28 and having lived and worked on his own for presumably nearly a decade after he left college. In my mind I had to down-age him just to make his behaviour make sense.
✨ I struggled to tell the different between Rip and Adrian’s narrative voices.
✨ Rip’s mum was murdered when he was twelve. Not a spoiler, this lore is dropped within the first few pages. You would have NO IDEA though; Rip doesn’t seem to suffer any trauma over it other than some vague abandonment issues. If you’re gonna kill of a character’s parent, at least have it mean something.
Cannot decide if good or bad:
✨ Last twenty percent read like a telenovela 😹 I’m not gonna post spoilers, but lordy lord the sheer amount of drama shoved into the last few chapters was eye-rollingly ridiculous. Oh the drama. The chaos.
So overall a mixed bag; I’ve definitely read better sports romances, but equally, this did hold my attention pretty well. I’d definitely be interested in a book about Rip’s ex, Denis the chaos-gremlin goalie, which I’m hoping is book 2 in this series!
Read The Ultimate Goal for:
✨ Hockey player x reporter
✨ Best friend’s brother
✨ Age gap (28 x 36)
✨ Fake dating
✨ Battle for the Stanley Cup
✨ Maybe he’s born with it, maybe it’s nepotism
✨ Echoes of CatSeb’s YSBSL
✨ Deadbeat dad coming outta the woodwork
✨ Denis the ex was my favourite character
✨ Actual hockey! In a hockey book! Yay!
Thanks to GRR for an ARC of this book! It’s available 1st Feb.
January 29, 2026
4,5 ⭐️
The Ultimate Goal by Felice Stevens is the first book in the Brooklyn Blades series. It’s been an easy and enjoyable read. Rip Tremaine is a successful NHL player who’s done just everything in hockey except win the Stanley Cup. Adrian Hunt is his best friend’s younger brother, working as a TV intern in sports even though his real dream is to be a news reporter. He’s smart and capable, but his nerves and lack of confidence keep getting in his way.
They’re thrown back into each other’s lives when Adrian has to step in and interview Rip, and things spiral from there in the best way. A misunderstanding leads to fake dating, and while both of them think it’s “just for show,” the feelings don’t stay fake for long. Their chemistry is obvious, and I really liked how natural their relationship developed once they stopped fighting it.
What I loved most was the character growth. Adrian’s insecurities are relatable and handled with care, and Rip’s emotional baggage (especially surrounding his dad) adds another layer to who he is and makes him even more interesting as a character.
I also liked the added tension with Rip’s ex, Denis, who’s also the goalie on his team. Playing together is awkward at first and you can really feel all that history between them (but they are professionals and they put the team first). Towards the end of the book we can see Denis starting to change, which honestly make me really curious about him (I am a sucker for goalies). I’m definitely waiting for his book. The side characters really add a lot and help make the story feel complete (Neil, Seb, Denis, Rip’s dad, all of them). I honestly would’ve loved to get to know them better.
Between the realistic hockey scenes, the found family vibes, and solid character growth, this was a sweet, emotional and binge-worthy read. And we get to see Dev and Brody again!
Thank you, Happily Booked PR, for the free eARC. This is my honest review and recommendation.
“What do you want?”
“The same thing everyone else does. To be happy. Loved. I want to feel safe and know that my home is my sanctuary. The place where I’m free to be me.”
The Ultimate Goal by Felice Stevens is the first book in the Brooklyn Blades series. It’s been an easy and enjoyable read. Rip Tremaine is a successful NHL player who’s done just everything in hockey except win the Stanley Cup. Adrian Hunt is his best friend’s younger brother, working as a TV intern in sports even though his real dream is to be a news reporter. He’s smart and capable, but his nerves and lack of confidence keep getting in his way.
“I just don’t understand why you want to do this for me.”
“Why not? I want you to succeed. I’m your friend.”
“No,” I replied with a stubborn edge. “You’re Neil’s friend.”
“Maybe this arrangement can change that. I could use as many friends as I can get.”
They’re thrown back into each other’s lives when Adrian has to step in and interview Rip, and things spiral from there in the best way. A misunderstanding leads to fake dating, and while both of them think it’s “just for show,” the feelings don’t stay fake for long. Their chemistry is obvious, and I really liked how natural their relationship developed once they stopped fighting it.
“I hear your heart. And I understand what you mean. Sometimes I feel the same. Like I’m walking through a crowd, but no one sees me. Or I speak and no one listens.”
“I see you, Adrian. And I hear you.”
What I loved most was the character growth. Adrian’s insecurities are relatable and handled with care, and Rip’s emotional baggage (especially surrounding his dad) adds another layer to who he is and makes him even more interesting as a character.
“When I was six and crying because I didn’t have a father, I’d needed him. Thirty years later, I was fine on my own.”
I also liked the added tension with Rip’s ex, Denis, who’s also the goalie on his team. Playing together is awkward at first and you can really feel all that history between them (but they are professionals and they put the team first). Towards the end of the book we can see Denis starting to change, which honestly make me really curious about him (I am a sucker for goalies). I’m definitely waiting for his book. The side characters really add a lot and help make the story feel complete (Neil, Seb, Denis, Rip’s dad, all of them). I honestly would’ve loved to get to know them better.
Between the realistic hockey scenes, the found family vibes, and solid character growth, this was a sweet, emotional and binge-worthy read. And we get to see Dev and Brody again!
Thank you, Happily Booked PR, for the free eARC. This is my honest review and recommendation.
January 30, 2026
Wow, I honestly don’t even know where to start.
At the beginning of the book, I felt completely neutral, to the point where I thought I might not even finish it. The whole thing felt kind of off, which I didn’t understand, because Felice usually writes incredibly good books.
I couldn’t really connect with the characters. Adrian and Rip were likable, but Neil and Rob were extremely irritating to me — and I won’t even get started on Denis. Yes, I know everyone had their reasons for behaving the way they did, Neil, Rob, and Denis included, but that still doesn’t make me like them. I also know that Denis is getting his own story, and please don’t misunderstand me — I love it when a real asshole gets a redemption arc, and I’m curious about his story — but here, even though he apologized at the end, I couldn’t bring myself to like him at all. And Adrian was completely justified in being cautious around him.
Now, back to Rip and Adrian as a pair. They realized fairly quickly that a fake relationship was no longer enough for them, even though they continued to present it as not real in front of others. That was a bit irritating for me, but I could mostly overlook it. I loved the chemistry between the two guys, and especially the way they communicated with each other — if there was one thing that truly stood out, it was that.
If I’m being honest, although I understand why it was necessary, Rip’s father’s appearance felt unnecessary to me and didn’t really add much to the story. I also slightly regretted that we didn’t see more of Neil’s family. Neil’s wife and children often felt like Columbo’s wife to me: we knew they existed, but we never really saw them — or maybe I just overlooked those parts.
Overall, this was a good book. It may not have reached the level Felice usually delivers, but regardless, it was an easy, enjoyable read with plenty of good moments — even if not all of the characters were.
Thank you to the Happily Booked PR team for the ARC — this is my honest opinion.
At the beginning of the book, I felt completely neutral, to the point where I thought I might not even finish it. The whole thing felt kind of off, which I didn’t understand, because Felice usually writes incredibly good books.
I couldn’t really connect with the characters. Adrian and Rip were likable, but Neil and Rob were extremely irritating to me — and I won’t even get started on Denis. Yes, I know everyone had their reasons for behaving the way they did, Neil, Rob, and Denis included, but that still doesn’t make me like them. I also know that Denis is getting his own story, and please don’t misunderstand me — I love it when a real asshole gets a redemption arc, and I’m curious about his story — but here, even though he apologized at the end, I couldn’t bring myself to like him at all. And Adrian was completely justified in being cautious around him.
Now, back to Rip and Adrian as a pair. They realized fairly quickly that a fake relationship was no longer enough for them, even though they continued to present it as not real in front of others. That was a bit irritating for me, but I could mostly overlook it. I loved the chemistry between the two guys, and especially the way they communicated with each other — if there was one thing that truly stood out, it was that.
If I’m being honest, although I understand why it was necessary, Rip’s father’s appearance felt unnecessary to me and didn’t really add much to the story. I also slightly regretted that we didn’t see more of Neil’s family. Neil’s wife and children often felt like Columbo’s wife to me: we knew they existed, but we never really saw them — or maybe I just overlooked those parts.
Overall, this was a good book. It may not have reached the level Felice usually delivers, but regardless, it was an easy, enjoyable read with plenty of good moments — even if not all of the characters were.
Thank you to the Happily Booked PR team for the ARC — this is my honest opinion.
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