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Keeping Score
Maggie Brynn is a lot of things. Bold, outspoken, independent, and most of all— trying to prove she’s more than just hockey star Liam Brynn’s little sister. Tired of living in her brother’s shadow, Maggie has made a point to create a life entirely her own, without help from anyone. Pushing people away is her motive when life gets hard, but despite this flaw; there’s one boy hellbent on staying.
Brody Callahan is a Brynn enthusiast through and through. Committed boyfriend to Maggie and loyal best friend to her brother, Brody has spent years balancing the line between the Brynn siblings and their banter. They both have baggage, but he can handle it. After all, who is Brody if not the one to fix everyone’s problem with his reliable stability? But when a family rift cracks everything wide open and the girl of his dreams seems to be slipping farther from his reach, he has to ask himself— how long can he chase after someone who might not want to be caught?
Keeping Score is a heartfelt story about self-discovery, overcoming family wounds, and learning how to love without fear.
Brody Callahan is a Brynn enthusiast through and through. Committed boyfriend to Maggie and loyal best friend to her brother, Brody has spent years balancing the line between the Brynn siblings and their banter. They both have baggage, but he can handle it. After all, who is Brody if not the one to fix everyone’s problem with his reliable stability? But when a family rift cracks everything wide open and the girl of his dreams seems to be slipping farther from his reach, he has to ask himself— how long can he chase after someone who might not want to be caught?
Keeping Score is a heartfelt story about self-discovery, overcoming family wounds, and learning how to love without fear.
413 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2026
24 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was so lucky to be a beta reader for this book after getting to read the first in the series earlier.
After I read the first book, I was so hoping Maggie would get a book, and this did not disappoint. Maggie is a badass lawyer and is so, so deeply messed up. She screws up. A lot. She self-sabotages. A lot. And Brody wants to fix her. Turns out love alone can’t fix everything.
This book goes back and forth from present day and when Maggie and Brody’s relationship started 5 years earlier. It’s an interesting set up to help understand how they ended up where they start the book, but also why they fell in love in the first place.
This book was emotional for me to read, because it wasn’t sunshine and rainbows instalove, but a long term, complicated, real relationship. It was two people with issues they hadn’t dealt with, which led to the issues they couldn’t just bandaid over. I think starting in the present and watching their relationship blow up, then going back to the beginning, somehow made me more invested in wanting them to work out. You had all the reasons they weren’t working, mashed up with all the reasons you wanted them to.
Without spoilers, the author lets the characters learn and grow both together and separately, and even though I was yelling at the characters through most of the book to get it together, it’s realistically how things needed to work out for them both.
Except Abbey 😒
Entirely a me issue:
I still hate Abbey. I understand Abbey. I get that it’s complicated and she is not a purely evil person. I think it’s so realistic that a lot of people have that person that isn’t “the one” but is “comfortable”. I get it. I still hate Abbey and I will not be swayed.
After I read the first book, I was so hoping Maggie would get a book, and this did not disappoint. Maggie is a badass lawyer and is so, so deeply messed up. She screws up. A lot. She self-sabotages. A lot. And Brody wants to fix her. Turns out love alone can’t fix everything.
This book goes back and forth from present day and when Maggie and Brody’s relationship started 5 years earlier. It’s an interesting set up to help understand how they ended up where they start the book, but also why they fell in love in the first place.
This book was emotional for me to read, because it wasn’t sunshine and rainbows instalove, but a long term, complicated, real relationship. It was two people with issues they hadn’t dealt with, which led to the issues they couldn’t just bandaid over. I think starting in the present and watching their relationship blow up, then going back to the beginning, somehow made me more invested in wanting them to work out. You had all the reasons they weren’t working, mashed up with all the reasons you wanted them to.
Without spoilers, the author lets the characters learn and grow both together and separately, and even though I was yelling at the characters through most of the book to get it together, it’s realistically how things needed to work out for them both.
Except Abbey 😒
Entirely a me issue:
I still hate Abbey. I understand Abbey. I get that it’s complicated and she is not a purely evil person. I think it’s so realistic that a lot of people have that person that isn’t “the one” but is “comfortable”. I get it. I still hate Abbey and I will not be swayed.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Emma 👏👏👏👏👏
The emotional toll this book had on me… this story won’t be for everyone. But it will impact someone’s life and I’m so honored to be one of the first people to read it before even an editor.
You ever read a book and go this is going to make a difference? This is the book 100%.
I love that Brodie was always solid when it came to his decision with Maggie. I love that he was there, he was the rock until he couldn’t be. Sometimes the best things in life have to be misplaced in order to be appreciated.
Maggie had an awful childhood just like her brother. But she always tried to repair it because it’s easier to blame the parent that stays than blame the one that leaves. Especially when you are a daddies girl or a mommas boy. It’s also hard when you look at all your friends and their perfect families and you just want that back.
It takes a whole lot of ups and downs and misplacements before Maggie and Brodie find their path and their happiness together. But it happens.
Emma I hope you know this book is special because it reminds us how hard it is to grow, accept and forgive in order to move on from a toxic parent. I hope you understand that this book is going to change someone’s life because they are living this exact scenario and need the courage to break the cycle.
Thank you for allowing me to be a beta reader. You have no idea how honored I am to support you. Congrats on your second book!
The emotional toll this book had on me… this story won’t be for everyone. But it will impact someone’s life and I’m so honored to be one of the first people to read it before even an editor.
You ever read a book and go this is going to make a difference? This is the book 100%.
I love that Brodie was always solid when it came to his decision with Maggie. I love that he was there, he was the rock until he couldn’t be. Sometimes the best things in life have to be misplaced in order to be appreciated.
Maggie had an awful childhood just like her brother. But she always tried to repair it because it’s easier to blame the parent that stays than blame the one that leaves. Especially when you are a daddies girl or a mommas boy. It’s also hard when you look at all your friends and their perfect families and you just want that back.
It takes a whole lot of ups and downs and misplacements before Maggie and Brodie find their path and their happiness together. But it happens.
Emma I hope you know this book is special because it reminds us how hard it is to grow, accept and forgive in order to move on from a toxic parent. I hope you understand that this book is going to change someone’s life because they are living this exact scenario and need the courage to break the cycle.
Thank you for allowing me to be a beta reader. You have no idea how honored I am to support you. Congrats on your second book!
February 26, 2026
One of the coolest things about reading this was seeing how much the authors craft has grown. Her first book was good but this one was EXCELLENT.
This is a romance that takes a relatively nontraditional approach to story telling in that the book begins five years into the characters relationship. What I absolutely loved was that this book was about two people who needed to grow together to make things work, and it begins right on the cusp of this change.
Technically this is a hockey romance, however it did not rely on the same tropes we typically see in sports/hockey romances. The first book is more of a classic hockey romance, but this one took more of a unique path.
One thing that I’ve noticed throughout both books is how skilled the author is at writing extremely realistic and complex characters. Maggie, the female protagonist is especially complex. She is extremely strong but lacks self awareness at the start of the book. Her growth throughout was a highlight for me.
While this book does do some emotional heavy lifting, it also has some incredibly sweet moments. Brody, the male protagonist is so earnest in his love for everyone around him, and I definitely related deeply to his POV. Additionally, we get tons of Cassie and Liam (bk 1) building their life and family together 🥹.
This is a romance that takes a relatively nontraditional approach to story telling in that the book begins five years into the characters relationship. What I absolutely loved was that this book was about two people who needed to grow together to make things work, and it begins right on the cusp of this change.
Technically this is a hockey romance, however it did not rely on the same tropes we typically see in sports/hockey romances. The first book is more of a classic hockey romance, but this one took more of a unique path.
One thing that I’ve noticed throughout both books is how skilled the author is at writing extremely realistic and complex characters. Maggie, the female protagonist is especially complex. She is extremely strong but lacks self awareness at the start of the book. Her growth throughout was a highlight for me.
While this book does do some emotional heavy lifting, it also has some incredibly sweet moments. Brody, the male protagonist is so earnest in his love for everyone around him, and I definitely related deeply to his POV. Additionally, we get tons of Cassie and Liam (bk 1) building their life and family together 🥹.
February 11, 2026
I knew Maggie and Brody's story wouldn't be anything short of amazing, but I didn't expect it to have me in tears. Maggie loves with her whole heart but also fears losing that very love so much she is willing to push it away, and everyone who means anything to her. Brody is the definition of a golden retriever boyfriend, but even he has his limits when it comes to his girlfriend pushing him away. Throw family drama, lots of trauma and heartache, an intervening sister bringing your ex around and a stubborn standoff between a couple who loves each other more than anything in the world but can't see staying together and hurting each other. I was rooting for Maggie and Brody the entire time and the story was so satisfying when they finally got it right. So many emotional moments. The only thing I wasn't thrilled about was the language but that's just my preference. The story was beyond amazing, an absolute roller coaster and will leave you trying to catch your breath. Beautiful clean romance!
January 17, 2026
Review from an ARC!
Keeping Score is wonderful continuation of the Boston Hearts world. Maggie and Brody’s story had me laughing, crying, and staying up way too late to keep reading. I connect so much to Maggie and loved watching her grow in her own story. Brody is such a kind and caring person who cares deeply for everyone around him. The snippets of Cassie and Liam add the perfect touches throughout. This is a definite must read!!!
Keeping Score is wonderful continuation of the Boston Hearts world. Maggie and Brody’s story had me laughing, crying, and staying up way too late to keep reading. I connect so much to Maggie and loved watching her grow in her own story. Brody is such a kind and caring person who cares deeply for everyone around him. The snippets of Cassie and Liam add the perfect touches throughout. This is a definite must read!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Sometimes the sequel doesn’t live up to the original. That is NOT the case with Keeping Score! This was a fantastic sequel that made me feel all the feels. Emma O’Dea is a wonderful indie author whose books deserve to be read by everyone. Do not sleep on this adorable hockey romance. Especially if you’re like me and can’t wait to find out what happens with Maggie and Brody!
February 6, 2026
I don’t know why I went into this expecting an easy breezy love story after reading the first book but man was my world rocked. I wanted to reach through the pages and shake some sense into each character just as much as I wanted to hug them. This was beautiful and the characters were so flawed and so relatable. She hit it out of the park again. Loved this!
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5⭐️
Wow!! When I tell you I could not put this book down I mean it! I loved the first book, especially since it was my first ever arc but this one was so much better in my opinion!! I loved the characters and the plot! Very well written too!! Go preorder it now!
Wow!! When I tell you I could not put this book down I mean it! I loved the first book, especially since it was my first ever arc but this one was so much better in my opinion!! I loved the characters and the plot! Very well written too!! Go preorder it now!
February 1, 2026
I LOVE MAGGIEBRODY SO MUCH 😭 they were everything and more. It was so refreshing to see an imperfect character like Maggie, she had her flaws and overcame her obstacles with such drive 😭 my shayla, she deserves everything good AND BRODY GOD? The only man ever
January 31, 2026
These characters are so complex and I could read about them forever
February 4, 2026
Finished in less than 24hrs! Absolutely LOVEDDDD Maggie and Brody’s story. It was the perfect ending to the perfect series. If you like no spice hockey romances ( or any romances ) this is for you!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
As much as I loved Off the Ice, Keeping Score has become my new favorite. I connected with the main character instantly, and the emotional moments in this story hit me so hard I found myself tearing up more than once.
The writing is heartfelt, and the relationships—especially the bond between the two main characters—feel incredibly real and deeply understood. Their connection pulled me in from the very beginning.
This book also delivers a powerful reminder that sometimes the healthiest choice is stepping away from toxic relationships, no matter how difficult that may be.
Beautiful, emotional, and impossible to put down. I loved every page.
The writing is heartfelt, and the relationships—especially the bond between the two main characters—feel incredibly real and deeply understood. Their connection pulled me in from the very beginning.
This book also delivers a powerful reminder that sometimes the healthiest choice is stepping away from toxic relationships, no matter how difficult that may be.
Beautiful, emotional, and impossible to put down. I loved every page.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews