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Gender-bent TED LASSO meets THE DEAL in a new grumpy/sunshine hockey romance from bestselling author Livy Hart.

When a career-ending injury forces hockey superstar Sadie Rivers to hang up her skates, she never expects to be the NHL’s first female coach. The Portland Fury are the league’s worst team—and Sadie has one season to turn the franchise around. Critics of her “soft touch” coaching style make no secret of their skepticism, but Sadie has never bucked a challenge, on or off the ice.

Defenseman Leo McLaren is hockey royalty. Or he was, until a dirty hit last season left him with a shoulder injury and migraines that have destroyed his game. When he’s traded to the Fury, it feels like the end of his hockey dreams. That is, until the new head coach names him captain—and asks for his help getting to know the team, who resist her personal approach.

Secret coach-captain meet-ups lead to a tentative friendship that quickly turns into sizzling chemistry hot enough to melt a hockey rink. But with the season and both their careers on the line, Sadie and Leo will have to decide if love is a risk worth taking when the game they’re playing demands all they have to give.

Perfect for fans of Elle Kennedy and Emily Rath, DIRTY HIT is an emotional, super-spicy sports romance and the start of the Portland Fury series!

358 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 2, 2026

21 people are currently reading
534 people want to read

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Livy Hart

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 193 reviews
Profile Image for Sylvie {Semi-Hiatus} .
1,257 reviews1,769 followers
February 15, 2026
*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review!*

4.25

Dirty Hit was such a fun and engaging read — exactly the kind of sports romance that made me fall head over heels for Livy Hart’s writing all over again. This gender-bent TED LASSO meets The Deal vibe brought so much sunshine × grumpy energy, and I loved how the story balanced heartfelt character growth with plenty of laugh-out-loud humour and steam.

Sadie as the first female NHL head coach was such a refreshing and empowering lead, full of determination and warmth even when the odds (and some less-than-supportive men) were stacked against her. Leo’s grumpy exterior softened in all the best ways, and their slow-burn chemistry had me rooting for them from the start. I especially appreciated the witty banter and light-hearted moments — the humour throughout genuinely made me smile more than once, and I can totally see why people compare the vibes to Ted Lasso in book form.

While a few parts felt familiar trope-wise, the execution was strong, emotional, and so entertaining — a perfect combo of heart, spice, and humour. This one definitely made me want to finally start watching Ted Lasso, because that same feel-good, uplifting energy is all over this story.
Profile Image for Tiffany.
846 reviews95 followers
February 2, 2026
My second Livy Hart book and I’m officially a fan! This book is right up there with the works of Elle Kennedy, Lynn Painter, and Tessa Bailey. If you love a good sport rom-com, this one is for you!

I absolutely adored this book. I fell in love with the MMC and FMC. The plot, the chemistry, the tropes were all executed so well. The only reason I’m not giving this five stars is because I craved a bit more tension. I felt like Leo and Sadie had the most perfect set up due to their history, and because of that, a bit more tension was needed. Not that it needed to be a slow burn but the banter was par considering the potential! But with that aside, we all know I love a good hockey romance. This one nearly checks all the boxes. I hope to continue the series!


THANK YOU, Entangled Publishing, LLC | Entangled: Amara, for sending me this ARC.

Pub Date Feb 02 2026

As always, all thoughts are my own. 🖤✨
Profile Image for Carole (Carole's Random Life).
1,958 reviews614 followers
February 17, 2026
This was good! It took me a while to finish this book which speaks more to my state of mind than the book. I liked Leo and Sadie and thought that they worked well together. Things were complicated between them only because of the fact that she is his coach. I thought that they had great chemistry and enjoyed the romance overall.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher.
Profile Image for ✨Poppy✨.
480 reviews32 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 2, 2026
I loved this book and was honestly pleasantly surprised by how invested I became right from the start.

The beginning is incredibly strong, especially because we get the story from the coach’s perspective, which felt so refreshing for this kind of hockey romance. I don’t come across that often, and I absolutely loved it. Even more so because Sadie is not only a former superstar player, but also the NHL’s first female coach, and the book doesn’t shy away from the backlash, skepticism, and constant criticism she faces for it.

The Portland Fury are the worst team in the league when the story starts, and I really enjoyed seeing the gritty, messy reality of that. Low morale, broken players, resistance to change, it all felt raw and realistic, and watching Sadie slowly try to turn things around was incredibly satisfying.

The dynamic between Sadie and Leo was a highlight for me. Their connection builds naturally through forced proximity, trust, and those secret coach-captain meetings, and the chemistry is chef’s kiss. I loved how both of them are dealing with career-ending (or nearly career-ending) setbacks, which added so much emotional depth to the romance.

Overall, this exceeded my expectations: fresh perspective, strong character work, real stakes, and a gritty hockey setting that felt earned. I’m so glad I picked this one up!
Thank you Entangled Publishing, LLC | Entangled: Amara & NetGalley for the ARC!
Profile Image for Jen (jenslostinthepages) ♥Star-Crossed Book Blog♥.
792 reviews392 followers
February 6, 2026
Dirty Hit was a grumpy sunshine hockey romance that pulled me in from the beginning.  I was excited for the position that Sadie found herself in, but horrified with the team dynamics and how they treated her.  She was the first female NHL coach, and the team she was hired to turn around just had 59 losses.  Brutal.  They also added a new player, Leo who was a hockey god.  But saying he had a rough last year was an understatement.  With Sadie’s uphill battle, and Leo’s personal body becoming his own worst enemy, I kept my fingers crossed that Leo, Sadie, and this underdog team could defy the odds!
I should use the five or so feet left between us to talk myself out of making a mistake. But maybe the mistake was already made long ago, and now I’m just living the consequences.

As negotiations were made and Sadie and Leo spent more time together, I started to fall for them.  They were both attracted to each other, and it led to a forbidden romance filled with tension and longing.  But Sadie could be too nice sometimes to the men on the team who treated her like an inconvenience.  And while Leo could be sweet, caring, and protective of Sadie, his grumpy closed off persona shined brightly.  Along with his internal struggles.  With guilt, steamy moments, and the beginnings of a found family starting to form, this book was a quick and easy binge!  While the ending wrapped up a little too quickly for my liking, I was left with a smile on my face and I’m excited to read the next book!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

For more of my reviews, please visit:

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Profile Image for Leanne.
632 reviews18 followers
January 21, 2026
4.5 stars! Thank you to Entangled Publishing for the advanced copy! You can pick up Dirty Hit on February 2, 2026.

Hello?? Forbidden romance that had me sweating and begging them actually NOT to kiss (but also, yes, pls kiss)??? This was a wonderful surprise of a book, from the character development to the high stakes of the plot to the absolutely SIZZLING romance. Our FMC, Sadie, is the first female NHL head coach, and the job definitely comes with complications (namely of the sexist and misogynistic variety). Rather than being brusque and punishing, Sadie hopes to connect with her players and coach them through building relationships, which is difficult to do when the players of one of the worst teams in the league barely respect themselves, let alone her.

Enter Leo McLaren, a washed-up hockey star dealing with a devastating injury that sets his career back. He's determined to tough it out and continue playing, though, even if it is for a terrible team. But together, he and Sadie might just be able to wrangle these men into playoff shape.

Knowing how much Sadie had on the line, not only to turn the Fury into a winning team but also to constantly battle unwanted commentary from fans and her own coworkers, had me SWEATING. She put so much of her heart and soul into this team, yet so few people believed in her. And while Leo slowly became one of her staunchest supporters, he's also the biggest threat to her reputation and credibility if people realized she was intimate with one of her players.

Both Leo and Sadie were WELL aware of the consequences, but sometimes chemistry overrides rational thought! And sometimes you just want to be around the person you feel most comfortable and safe with, even outside of your work environment. The crumbling of Sadie and Leo's resistance to each other was absolutely delicious, and the payoff when they finally acted on their feelings had me BLUSHINGGG. It's making me want to pick up all of Livy's backlog.

The only reason this book wasn't 5 stars is that I needed just a TINY bit more from a few specific instances. First, one of Sadie's initial ops is the team captain, Ivan. He was the WORST in the beginning of the book, but makes a change about halfway through and starts being kinder to Leo, and eventually Sadie??? There's a semi-explanation for his change in behavior, but I wanted more of a driving force behind his personality switch-up.

Second, I had this kernel of feminine rage growing bigger and bigger in my chest as I read about more disrespectful things happening to Sadie. I was READY for a massive payoff, where she FINALLY bit back at these assholes in some way, shape, or form. And while it did kind of happen, it was less of a big "f you" moment and more subtle manipulation of the situation. Which I still appreciated, but man, I think she deserved to kick at least one guy's ass.

All in all, if you want a sexy forbidden romance between an NHL coach and her player, this is def the book for you!
Profile Image for Chandler (chapterswithchan).
433 reviews24 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
January 31, 2026
Lately I have been in a reading slump, but this book really hit where I needed it to.

Sadie Rivers is the new Fury coach. She is there to make some much needed changes to her new hockey team and finally take them to the play-offs. But being a woman in this field is not easy. Not only is she trying to bring a bunch of hockey players together which is turning out to be harder than expected, but she is being harassed by fans for being a woman.

Leo McLaren is the newest player to the group. He had a career altering injury last season and the only team that would snag him happened to be the Fury. After some very tough decisions, she makes Leo the new captain of the team. But she does ask him to do something a little unconventional. She wants to learn everything she can about her team, their families, what makes them tick. That way she can start really bringing the team together. But their chemistry and tension at their meetups start getting hard to ignore.

I really enjoyed this book. The character growth from everyone was by far some of the best I have ever read. It was not just Leo and Sadie showing growth, but the whole team. It felt like we had a front row seat to watch the team come together and personalities start to soften. Sadie was a strong female character who I honestly felt was super smart. She picked her battles, which is no easy thing to do. The conflict in the book with people harassing Sadie was a smart addition from the author. It made Leo’s protectiveness shine through and man is that a great character trait.

For me, in this season of life, this is exactly what I needed and was a five star read. Thank you Entanglement for the eARC.
Profile Image for Rachael.
46 reviews
February 8, 2026
Dirty Hit (Portland Fury #1) was a cute, enjoyable read and exactly what I needed while stuck in a bit of a reading rut. I was craving something predictable but fun, and this totally delivered on that front. The pacing was solid throughout, with a nice rhythm that kept things moving without ever making me feel like I was waiting for the author to “get to the point.”

I really appreciated the strong female characters and the overall light, pleasant tone of the story. While this wasn’t what I’d personally call super-spicy, we all know spice ratings are wildly subjective in the book world, so your mileage may vary.

One thing I’d love to see going forward is a side story for Ivan. His sudden change of heart felt a bit forced, like he magically stopped being an asshole overnight, and I found myself wanting more background or emotional buildup there. A deeper dive into his character would be such a fun addition to the series.

Overall, this was a satisfying, easy romance that did exactly what it needed to do for me at the time. A solid, cozy read that I’m glad I picked up.
Profile Image for Readingwithmammabear.
279 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 17, 2026
I love Livy Hart romances, which are filled with depth and tenderness without sacrificing authenticity or plot. This hockey romance has a great concept, and tackles a lot of great issues with care.

Maybe I'm too raw after watching Heated Rivalry, but this didn't quite hit the target for me. Sadie and Leo were both great characters both as individuals and as a couple, and I enjoyed reading them fall into a deep respect for one another and eventually love.

I found a few plot holes, and the ending of this was very rushed. there was a large cast of characters, which was a bit confusing to me, and some storylines that were started and either didn't come to fruition or were rushed to end.

All in all, still a nice romance, but could have been better.

many thanks to Entangled Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Cat.
1,532 reviews16 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 31, 2026
Overall, this sports romance was light on the sport part and heavy on the romance part. Nothing about this felt forbidden, especially when both MCs don't care about getting in trouble.

I'm really not sure how much coaching Sadie is doing, but it seems like next to none. What little she does do is frankly unexperienced camp counselor vibes. On top of that, she's extremely unprofessional. Leo...he comes in like a hot head with a large chip on his damaged shoulder but then changes...everything?...because... he likes Sadie? I didn't buy it. There's some bits sprinkled in about how he hears how much his little sister admires Sadie, but it wasn't enough to substantiate the significant turn around. Sadie also hired one person - her best friend and roommate. Although Vivi is an experience skater and coach, I really don't know what the heck she does for the team. I felt like she was only written in to be supportive of Sadie. Unfortunately it was another tally mark for the poor decision making column though.

I really wanted to love this, but too much of the book just seems like convenience. One or two players seeming being on Sadie's side is fine, but for multiple characters to do 180s? I didn't read anything that Sadie did to inspire that level of introspection. On top of it all, at the climax of the book Sadie ignores her own gut and the person she confided in - who knew her injury cost her her playing career - does the same thing? How frustrating.

Sadie gets accused of favoritism, and unfortunately they were all correct. It literally made the height of the book, but felt so predictable.

The ending was really sweet though, so if you're ok with all my complaints above, then you should be happy.

Thank you Entangled Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Suzette.
3,679 reviews20 followers
February 4, 2026
I just finished Dirty Hit by Livy Hart, and it was an absolute delight from start to finish! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This slow burn romance had me hooked from the first chapter. The pacing of the relationship was perfect—full of delicious tension and anticipation that made every interaction between the characters feel meaningful and earned. The plot was exceptional, weaving together humor, heart, and emotional depth in a way that felt seamless.

The characters are wonderfully written and so easy to fall in love with. They feel real, layered, and their growth throughout the story made the journey incredibly satisfying. I especially loved the dialogue—witty, engaging, and full of moments that made me smile (and occasionally swoon!).

And that happy ending? Absolutely perfect. It left me with a warm, satisfied feeling that only the best romances can deliver. If you’re looking for a heartfelt, well-written slow burn with characters you’ll root for the entire time, Dirty Hit is a must-read!
Profile Image for BeeFaith.
231 reviews33 followers
March 7, 2026
“I came to Portland for me, but I feel like I’m staying for you. This isn’t how I should f*cking feel about my coach.”

I love a good hockey romance I can get lost in. I found this one easy to read and unputdownable, inhaling it in a day.

It's fun and flirty, and the hockey parts are realistically written and intertwine seamlessly with the romance. Leo and Sadie's story develops naturally without feeling forced.

There's a lot of character growth as the story progresses, not only Sadie and Leo's, but several others, too. I found many of the side characters intriguing (and a couple, I'm glaring at you in particular, Ivan, infuriating) and want to learn their backstories and what makes them tick.

I'm so glad I picked up Dirty Hit, and I'm excited for the next book in the Portland Fury series.

Favorite Lines:

Outwardly cheerful people make me nervous, because when you don’t guard your enthusiasm, the world feels entitled to swoop in and steal it. Like when @sshole adults tell kids to grow up for laughing too hard, or when people make fun of others for loving things too much.

In this world, a woman can have it all, but it’s nearly impossible to have it all at the same time. And I made my choice. I’ve made it many times over, all to get me here.


Tropes & Themes:
• Player x coach
• Opposites attract
• Forbidden romance
• Grumpy/sunshine
• Hockey romance
1,663 reviews15 followers
February 6, 2026
If you like humor with your passionate romance, read this book
When 29yo Sadie Rivers becomes the first female coach in men’s NHL, she certainly makes a stir; a lot favorable but some is rude and hurtful. She must even get a burner cell phone because of all the ugly messages that she is sent. She does not whine because she is now in the big leagues. She was an Olympic winner until her injury, but she has skills which she can use to coach the worst team in the NHL up to snuff. Or so the owner and managers hope. On her first day with team Fury, she recognizes a player whose own injury has brought him down a few pegs from the winningest team down to the Fury. Leo McLaren, Hockey royalty, at 32yo is not happy about this career trajectory but he is thankful that some team wants him. His injury still bothers him, but he bares up under scrutiny, so he does not lose his spot on this team. With some major and minor adjustments, will Sadie be able to help this loser team? Do the sparks flying between Leo and Sadie get in the way? Love Nola, Leo’s thirteen-year-old sister and her twin brother, Milo. Some of the players were fun to follow; it would be nice for some of them to get their own books too. Hint, hint…
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book through NetGalley and Entangled Publishing.
Profile Image for EmFearon.
129 reviews2 followers
February 11, 2026
I couldn’t get enough of this book. It’s one of those stories that lives in your head all day, you’re constantly thinking about it and finding excuses to pick it back up.

I absolutely loved Sadie Rivers, she's such a breath of fresh air. The story follows the Fury’s new female hockey coach and former Olympian, along with her sidekick Vivi, as she navigates misogyny, fan harassment, and the reality of being a woman in a male-dominated sport. The author didn’t shy away from the criticism or the relentless negative press Sadie and the team faced because of her gender. Sadie was too kind to the men who treated her terribly, which was heartbreaking to read, yet she remained professional, upbeat, and resilient throughout. I wanted to hug her more times than I can count.

The book struck a perfect balance between plot and romance. I loved Leo’s storyline—following in his father’s footsteps, never feeling good enough, and then facing an injury that ends his career and Sadie’s own struggle to prove herself as a woman. The character work was fantastic, with a strong focus on careers, ambition, and what it truly takes to be the best.

One of the strongest aspects of this book was how incredibly well the characters were written. The internal thoughts and emotional introspection gave the story so much depth and made it impossible not to feel deeply connected to them. Being inside Sadie’s head was especially powerful—we saw every doubt she tried to bury, every moment she questioned her actions and decisions, just to be accepted. Her internal monologue captured the quiet exhaustion of constantly proving yourself while pretending it doesn’t hurt, which made her resilience feel raw and real.

Leo’s inner world was just as compelling. His feelings of inadequacy, the weight of legacy, and the grief that followed his injury were handled with so much care. His thoughts revealed a man who had built his entire identity around hockey and was suddenly forced to confront who he was without it. Watching that unravel from the inside made his vulnerability hit harder and made his growth feel earned.

The author used these internal moments to build a powerful emotional bridge between the characters and the reader. Their fears, longing, and quiet hope bled into every interaction, making even small moments carry emotional weight and adding so much tension to the romance.

Talking of tension. .the sexual tension specifically. Absolutely feral. The restraint from both Leo & Sadie until a certain point.. I was screaming, stamping my feet. That office scene… hellooo. I would happily take more of that. The forced proximity, secret meetups, and office trysts were perfection, and the romance itself had real depth. This book delivered on every level and I cant wait to read Vivi's story.. possibly her a Callum 👀

My only less positive thoughts are that the ending was too fast, I was not ready to wrap up this story. I needed more! But that shows how hooked I was.

Thanks to Net Galley for providing this ARC, all thoughts are my own.
Profile Image for Sabrina | thebookishspot.
333 reviews13 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
January 18, 2026
✨️ARC Review✨️

4.25⭐️ for Dirty Hit by Livy Hart

A hockey romance where she's the coach and he's her grumpy player? Sold! I loved the forbidden vibes this gave to their story, and the opposites attract trope made it even better.

Leo was pretty much a grumpy jacka** at first, but I quickly ended up falling for him because he's actually a total sweetheart and that's my favorite kind of MMC. He and Sadie had great chemistry, though I did find the beginning a tad slow on that aspect. Still, when their bond started to heat up it got fiery, and I ate up the rest of the story.

This is the beginning of a great series, I can tell you right now I'm so excited for Vivi and Isla's stories, because seeds were planted that I cannot wait to see grow; they made for great supporting characters here, and I'm excited to see them shine!

Read if you enjoy slow burn sports romances with spice and lots of heart.

Thank you to Entangled Publishing and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Booked on Lattes.
550 reviews24 followers
February 4, 2026
POV: Dual
Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️

A hockey player/coach romance with the FMC as the main coach?! I had to read it! It also includes an injured MMC struggling with his future in hockey and I really appreciated that different take as well, and it definitely added an emotional component.

While Leo is a grump Sadie is all sunshine, which is interesting for a coach but she is a great mix of strong and caring. I love that these two had a run in as kids when they were both in hockey that stuck with the both of them through their careers until they meet again. I do wish there would’ve been more repercussions for the villains in this book, and we really don’t see any proof that anything actually changed with the other coaches. I was also waiting for some big moment where the team realizes Sadie is a great coach for them.

This book is mostly light and funny, and I absolutely adored the good friends and family.
Profile Image for kerry .
148 reviews12 followers
January 16, 2026
I loved this book! I love a female coach who is so super sunshiney; her middle name is Lemon! I love a grumpy hockey player who’s hiding an injury and finds himself drawn to the happiest person in the room. There’s a rag tag team that eventually gets it together and terrible men who finally get their comeuppance!

Dirty Hit has the perfect balance of romance, odd ball side characters and actual hockey knowledge. The relationship between Sadie and Leo was wonderfully done and they really stepped up for each other when it was needed the most. I also loved Sadie and Viv and I feel like they made a great coaching team.

This is a perfect sports romance with lots of humor, spice and enough terrible behavior from men that will have you seething.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinions!
Profile Image for thebeespot72.
1,803 reviews195 followers
February 9, 2026
Livy Hart’s Dirty Hit is described as a gender-bent TED LASSO meets THE DEAL. Though I’ve never watched or read either, I thoroughly enjoyed this hockey romance. Sadie, as a female NHL coach, was refreshing to read. All the challenges and push-backs that she faced despite her professional experience were well written. Especially her injury that prompted her to become a coach, and how she thought she would never push any of her players like she was.

The front end of the story established Sadie’s struggles with the team and her interactions with Leo. But once Sadie and Leo express their feelings, that spice takes off, and it doesn’t stop. Sadie and Leo are on fire.

I enjoyed Dirty Hit as well as Livy Hart’s writing style.

Thank you to Entangled Publishing for the gifted e-copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Emma Steinbrecher.
Author 12 books82 followers
March 9, 2026
To absolutely no one’s surprise, I loved this book.

Livy Hart does a number of things so extremely well. She can always provide sizzling chemistry, witty jokes with comedic timing that simply cannot be topped, and a story that leaves your chest aching at the romance of it all.

HOWEVER, this book brought with it so much more. Watching Sadie navigate the rampant sexism in the sports world gave so much depth to the story overall. Hart hit the nail on the head with this, and gave Sadie the right personality to deal with it. Strong in a way that wasn’t cliche or overdone, reading about Sadie’s journey healed me on some level.

Hart just has a way of making her settings luxurious, and as always, her men, extremely hot.

Leo is certainly a man who knows what he wants.
Profile Image for Dani (dtieds_allbookedup).
424 reviews12 followers
February 15, 2026
Thanks to @endtangled_publishing for the #gifted copy of this book.

My Thoughts: I'm fairly new to Livy Hart books, but she is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. Dirty Hit was one of my favorite hockey romances I've read. It had great banter, secret meet-ups, forbidden romance, and so many swoony moments, I fell in love with Leo and Sadie right away.

I LOVED Leo and all his touch-and-die ways with Sadie, even when they weren't supposed to be that close. Sadie's reputation was always his first thought, and I love how he wanted to watch her succeed as their coach.

Sadie was incredibly strong to be in the position of the first female head coach in the NHL with the worst team in the league. She knew where she wanted the team to go, and she got them there. I would love to be part of their friend group with Vivi and Isla!

This was the perfect start for the Portland Fury series! I am excited to see more from these characters as the books continue.

What You'll Find:
🏒Gender-Bent Ted Lasso
⛅️Grumpy/Sunshine
😤🔥Touch Her & Die
💔Forbidden Romance
💪🏒🔥Underdog Sports Team
Profile Image for Bethany Hall.
1,086 reviews41 followers
February 8, 2026
Thank you @entangled_publishing and @livyhartromance for the digital copy to review!

I absolutely *flew* through this book. Sadie is the first female head coach in the NHL and Leo is a defenseman they picked up during the offseason. Oh and they knew each other… a long time ago… 👀👀👀

The sparks immediately fly between these two and they spend so much of the book trying to deny their chemistry because of the optics. I absolutely loved all of the conflict presented in this book, from all sides. It felt extremely realistic and the amount of times I wanted to hold Sadie to protect her had me in my feelings.

The amount of misogyny and vulgar rhetoric thrown Sadie’s way made me so sad for the state of hockey and how far we truly have to go. At least the owner was on her side. I loved that she was able to finally find people to be safe with.

Also, dying to know more about Vivi and what she’s up to - an incredible friend and assistant coach! (@livyhartromance is she next???)

Leo and Sadie were extremely s*xy together and wow wow wow my jaw dropped at some of their interactions. I was like 🥵🥵 and 🥹🥹 and 🥰🥰.

The end of this book had me in my feelings and I definitely teared up. It’s available now so get on it!!
Profile Image for Mia Reads Romance.
598 reviews31 followers
February 25, 2026
I am a big Livy Hart fan and a big hockey romance fan unfortunately I don't think coach and player romances are for me. I found Dirty Hit engaging and funny but I spent a lot of time struggling with the ethics of a coach dating a player. Did I think anything non consensual was going on? No, but I was consistently bothered by the way it could bias both of their decisions.

Sadie is also the NHL's first female coach in this story. She deals with a lot of sexism which made her relationship with a player feel all the more unrealistic. I think it might have worked a bit better for me if we had seen more of their emotional connection and the story had been set over a longer time period.

If you don't think a coach player relationship will bother you I think you will enjoy this story! I did enjoy Sadie's more compassionate coaching style and think there are some fun characters whose books I assume will follow.

Thanks to Entangled Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Morgan.
149 reviews
March 8, 2026
2.5 stars but I’ll round up to 3. Mediocre at best. Unoriginal and tedious to get through reading this book. It took me almost a month to read this book. It just doesn’t hook well, it reads enough to get you interested but not enough for me to sit down and want to consume it within hours. The spicy scenes are unoriginal it’s like copying and pasting from every other spicy scene in a book. The whole Sadie, sexism, and Erik play were very anticlimactic. This book could’ve been much better.
Profile Image for Sheree.
516 reviews22 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 23, 2026
I'm not a huge sports romance girly but this compares favourably to the few others I have read. I loved that the FMC was successful in her own right but still just a good person at her core. The broody MMC was fun and the spice was enjoyable. I definitely got the warm fuzzies at the end. Another Hart special!
Profile Image for Arizona Foster.
71 reviews8 followers
February 3, 2026
She’s just starting her coaching career after her own hockey career ended due to an injury. He’s signed with a last-chance team, hiding an injury from someone who’s now his teammate.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 spice

This story had such a great flow, and I loved that even though the book centers around hockey, it isn’t all about hockey. I enjoy watching the sport but don’t know the rules or terminology, so I really appreciated that I didn’t need any prior knowledge to fully follow and enjoy the story.

Sadie and Leo were fantastic main characters, with tension that starts right from the beginning and keeps building. The supporting cast was just as strong — Leo’s teammates, along with his little sister and brother, were all great characters who added so much depth and heart to the story.

This is the third book I’ve read by Livy Hart, and I honestly feel like each one just keeps getting better.

If you love sports romance with strong chemistry, great tension, and well-written spicy scenes, this one is absolutely worth checking out.

Huge thanks to Livy Hart, Entangled Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!
Profile Image for Gladys.
14.2k reviews166 followers
February 2, 2026
I found this book quite enjoyable and thought it got this new series off to a great start. To start, there is a nice freshness to this story that captured my interest and had me feeling invested quickly. Both of the characters were solidly developed and the had chemistry that was undeniable. Plenty of push-pull and sparks to bask in along with generous amounts of hearts and feels.
24 reviews1 follower
February 28, 2026
Enjoyed the social commentary in this which is very fitting with the recent Winter olympics and womens and mens hockey gold. The way the timeline was written didn’t hit the mark though for me and also the personal development of the two main characters felt pretty fragmented. Probably rate this a true 3.5?
Profile Image for Lindsey  Domokur.
1,898 reviews128 followers
February 2, 2026
My goodness was this cute. It didn't feel forbidden, it just felt like they were meant to be together. Sadie is the new coach for the Fury and she is having a heck of a time getting the team to respect her. Leo is new with the Fury and is playing through an injury that he hopes no one will notice. When Sadie is left with no choice but to put Leo in as captian of the team, and they have their meetings regarding the team, sparks ignite and Leo can't ignore that he wants to blur the lines with Sadie.
Sadie knows she got this chance out of determination and she has the skill set to do it, but with the team not behind her, she could lose her job before she even has a chance to make it far. Sadie knows what she feels for Leo isn't ideal, but it is inevitable.
I love a Livy Hart romance because her male characters just make me swoon. I loved so many characters from this book and I am HOPING that we get more of the team and Vivian... We are, right?
Profile Image for Lindsey (endless_tbr_list).
149 reviews23 followers
February 2, 2026
3.5 stars - A fun, and somewhat unique, take on the ever popular hockey romance. I absolutely adored Sophie and her sometimes misguided but always heartfelt attempts to connect with and care for her team. In the world of sports it feels like there is often not enough thought given to the mental and physical health of the players - outside of whether they can perform during a game - so it was lovely to see such a different approach, even if just in a fictional world. Pairing said kindness and "sunshine" with a the quiet and gruff Leo made for delightful banter and wonderful chemistry.

Overall this was a quick, entertaining read that touched on some incredibly important topics related to sports teams and their fans. It's always a joy to read Livy Hart's works and I'm looking forward to what she does next.

Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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