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Pucking Off-Limits: An Enemies to Lovers Brother’s Best Friend Sports Romance
I accidentally saw my brother’s best friend’s stick… and now I’m letting him coach me in ways he definitely shouldn’t.
I’m Dr. Ivy Chandler—neuroscientist, late bloomer, and lifelong good girl.
One minute I’m studying concussions for the Metro Raptors.
The next, I’m staring at Declan Hawthorne—my brother’s tattooed best friend and the Raptors’ golden boy.
Butt naked. And very proud of his hockey stick.
Declan is trouble wrapped in muscles and bad decisions—but he’s aiming every ounce of charm at me.
Thank God for King…the anonymous man texting me at night, steady and patient in all the ways Declan isn’t.
I’m sure he’s The One. Except… I’ve never been with a man before.
Against my better judgement, I agree to practice with Declan.
Huge mistake. The man knows how to score—on and off the ice. He makes me laugh, makes me moan, makes me feel things I never have.
Now my heart’s caught between two men.
But Declan is hiding a secret.
And when I learn the truth, it’s GAME ON.
Pucking Off-Limits is a steamy standalone romance—each book in the series can be read independently.
I’m Dr. Ivy Chandler—neuroscientist, late bloomer, and lifelong good girl.
One minute I’m studying concussions for the Metro Raptors.
The next, I’m staring at Declan Hawthorne—my brother’s tattooed best friend and the Raptors’ golden boy.
Butt naked. And very proud of his hockey stick.
Declan is trouble wrapped in muscles and bad decisions—but he’s aiming every ounce of charm at me.
Thank God for King…the anonymous man texting me at night, steady and patient in all the ways Declan isn’t.
I’m sure he’s The One. Except… I’ve never been with a man before.
Against my better judgement, I agree to practice with Declan.
Huge mistake. The man knows how to score—on and off the ice. He makes me laugh, makes me moan, makes me feel things I never have.
Now my heart’s caught between two men.
But Declan is hiding a secret.
And when I learn the truth, it’s GAME ON.
Pucking Off-Limits is a steamy standalone romance—each book in the series can be read independently.
383 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 16, 2026
156 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Ellen Young
16 books16 followersEllen Young writes steamy, feel-everything billionaire romances—fast, emotional, and deliciously spicy. Her books deliver razor-sharp banter, explosive chemistry, and powerful men who fall hard for the last woman they expect. Think: fake dating gone very real, secret identities, forced proximity, surprise feelings (and sometimes surprise babies), and swoon-worthy HEAs with penthouse views. If you love big emotions, bigger wallets, and bedside-table-worthy spice, Ellen’s got you covered. (from Amazon.com)
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 17, 2026
2.5 ⭐️
Could have done without the Disney villain-esque commentary from the bad guy, I found that whole aspect very cringe. This is my first book by this author so I’m not sure if this is average work, I’ll read others to see.
Timeline was also hard to follow at times, but had it’s cute moments.
Wasn’t a big fan of FMC, I don’t like writing really long crazy reviews dissecting everything so I won’t but she annoyed me and I hated fha everyone around her treated her like a child who couldn’t make her own decisions. I feel like it was very exaggerated but definitely explained why she made such bad decisions.
And MMC made equally horrible decisions so guess match made in heaven right?
I’m easy to please though so I did read it through and didn’t quit.
Could have done without the Disney villain-esque commentary from the bad guy, I found that whole aspect very cringe. This is my first book by this author so I’m not sure if this is average work, I’ll read others to see.
Timeline was also hard to follow at times, but had it’s cute moments.
Wasn’t a big fan of FMC, I don’t like writing really long crazy reviews dissecting everything so I won’t but she annoyed me and I hated fha everyone around her treated her like a child who couldn’t make her own decisions. I feel like it was very exaggerated but definitely explained why she made such bad decisions.
And MMC made equally horrible decisions so guess match made in heaven right?
I’m easy to please though so I did read it through and didn’t quit.
January 19, 2026
What a crazy, fantastic, heart wrenching, chaotic, panty dropping ride. Oh. My. Gawd.
I loved this book. Like I loved loved loved this book! I want to start from the beginning and read it again.
If you’ve never read anything by Ellen Young you are missing out big time.
This is a hockey romance and I am here for it! I love hockey romances even though I don’t know much about the sport but I love the team dynamics and the family the teams establish with each other. I love the man child playfulness and the seriousness of the game.
Declan is a NHL star center for the Meteo Raptors and a publically acclaimed playboy. But he isn’t who his agent has made his image out to be, nor does he want to be that person anymore. But when he tries to buck the system his agent retaliates and the results could be catastrophic for Declan and his family.
Dr. Ivy Chandler has been given an opportunity to study the impact of concussions on professional athletes and is studying her brothers NHL hockey team the Metro Raptors. On her first day in the building she is confronted with the full Monty of star center Declan Hawthorne and she can’t stop thinking about him. Her over protective big brother has warned her away from all the players, especially Declan. Even though that’s his best friend.
This story has such a great build up of tension and want and instalust but also sweet moments of genuine love and nurturing. I admit I cried a couple times with how completely Declan was able to see through the invisibility cloak Ivy tried to keep herself covered in.
I enjoyed this story so much and was sad when it ended but it ended with the best hea ever and it was hard fought and hard won.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved this book. Like I loved loved loved this book! I want to start from the beginning and read it again.
If you’ve never read anything by Ellen Young you are missing out big time.
This is a hockey romance and I am here for it! I love hockey romances even though I don’t know much about the sport but I love the team dynamics and the family the teams establish with each other. I love the man child playfulness and the seriousness of the game.
Declan is a NHL star center for the Meteo Raptors and a publically acclaimed playboy. But he isn’t who his agent has made his image out to be, nor does he want to be that person anymore. But when he tries to buck the system his agent retaliates and the results could be catastrophic for Declan and his family.
Dr. Ivy Chandler has been given an opportunity to study the impact of concussions on professional athletes and is studying her brothers NHL hockey team the Metro Raptors. On her first day in the building she is confronted with the full Monty of star center Declan Hawthorne and she can’t stop thinking about him. Her over protective big brother has warned her away from all the players, especially Declan. Even though that’s his best friend.
This story has such a great build up of tension and want and instalust but also sweet moments of genuine love and nurturing. I admit I cried a couple times with how completely Declan was able to see through the invisibility cloak Ivy tried to keep herself covered in.
I enjoyed this story so much and was sad when it ended but it ended with the best hea ever and it was hard fought and hard won.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 19, 2026
Loved this book! My first read from Ellen Young. I am hooked! The chemistry between Ivy and Declan is off the charts. I love books that have text message strings in them and there are plenty of them here. Declan is an elite hockey player with a reputation of a player and always photographed with models and actresses. Ivy is a doctor working on a research study partnering with the hockey team studying concussion prevention protocols.
At first meet, Ivy feels attraction to Declan but it is overshadowed by his cocky playboy persona. The conversations between them are so sharp and quick witted. So many times I was left giggling. There are so many obstacles for them to face and try to overcome; a controlling agent, an overbearing protective brother also on the hockey team, and professional ethics to name a few.
The book is very well written, each obstacle interwoven with care, and it was so hard to put down before I finished reading to the end. Grab this book and dive in - you will love it!
At first meet, Ivy feels attraction to Declan but it is overshadowed by his cocky playboy persona. The conversations between them are so sharp and quick witted. So many times I was left giggling. There are so many obstacles for them to face and try to overcome; a controlling agent, an overbearing protective brother also on the hockey team, and professional ethics to name a few.
The book is very well written, each obstacle interwoven with care, and it was so hard to put down before I finished reading to the end. Grab this book and dive in - you will love it!
Review of advance copy
Yes! One of my favorite tropes: epistolary romance! Declan and Ivy get off on the wrong foot, but as King, he's able to show that he is not what people think. I loved their texts and watching their bond grow — it put a smile on my face. Declan had some very swoon-worthy moments but at the same time managed to dig himself deeper. The perfect balance of deceiving secrets, witty banter, high-stakes drama, and seriously steamy moments. Even though this book was a train wreck waiting to happen, I loved every minute of it!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked how Declan and Ivy fight for the truth against his crooked agent who tried to destroy their relationship and them. Declan and Ivy fell in love and it might have taken Ivy time to forgive him for his deception but she does. The case between Declan and his agent at the hearing was very good especially when the agent's crimes were revealed. Justice is served.
January 17, 2026
I was all over the place reading this - invested, frustrated, smiling, teary, and so angry I had to put the book down and walk away more than once. Declan and Ivy were definitely a couple with baggage and hardship to conquer. The story was about being seen for who you really are and fighting for it. There was strength in the pages and of course some hot moments too. Everything built to a rewarding ending that at times seemed impossible.
January 28, 2026
I'm newer to Ellen Young and her writing. This book did not disappoint. It has all the feels. It's flirty, emotional, and spicy with just the right balance of each to make the story flow perfectly. The Declan/King storyline added another layer of interest that had me wondering how things would finally play out. I was very happy with the result.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 16, 2026
Thank you to the author for an ARC of this book.
My first read by this author and im hooked! Easy 5⭐️
📚 Brothers best friend
📚 Workplace romance
📚 Hockey star MMC
📚 Enemies to lovers
📚 "Teach me"
📚 Text threads with a twist!
Devoured Declan and Ivy's story and I loved the identity twist! Delicious spicy scenes and great writing style👌
My first read by this author and im hooked! Easy 5⭐️
📚 Brothers best friend
📚 Workplace romance
📚 Hockey star MMC
📚 Enemies to lovers
📚 "Teach me"
📚 Text threads with a twist!
Devoured Declan and Ivy's story and I loved the identity twist! Delicious spicy scenes and great writing style👌
January 16, 2026
This is the mack daddy of all hockey romance books which includes Declan. Ivy and Declan will warm you up on the coldest day and keep you warm until the very end. I thought that this romance book by Ellen was not only well written but superb in the romance department. This is one awesome book right here for you to love reading.
January 18, 2026
Cute book – glad the good guy won at the end
January 24, 2026
Loved this book!!!
January 25, 2026
Sigh I love Declan. Hot rich hockey player. How could you not? Cute story and HEA
January 29, 2026
Another amazing read by Ellen Young. It was a quick and easy read. This story had me on a rollercoaster ride. Declan and Ivy brought out every emotion in me. The tropes and story are so good. The spice between Declan and Ivy was so good that I felt it. I definitely recommend the book and author!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews