Top Shelf Stud

Chicago Players #3

by Kate Meader

The snail doc wants a baby. I volunteered to do the deed. But it isn’t long before I realize a “donation” will never be enough. I want to be a dad, but most of all, I want her.

Franky

When confronted with the cold, hard facts of her diminishing chances to be a mom, what’s a woman of science to do?

Make a spreadsheet of eligible donors, of course.

Finding a man for life is not in the cards, but one for this singular purpose? I can do that. As the daughter of a Chicago Rebels legend and an expert in the field of gastropods—more commonly known as snails and slugs—I have plenty of choices in the worlds of both hockey and academia. The selection process should be easy, especially as my methodology has already eliminated several options, including Jason Isner, childhood nemesis and recently acquired defenseman for the Rebels. I’ve always considered him arrogant, cruel, and to be honest, not the brightest bulb.

I’m rarely wrong. But I might have been mistaken about Jason . . .

Jason

I surprised even myself when I offered to be Franky St. James’s baby daddy, but fatherhood has been a dream of mine forever. If I can achieve my goal without the hassle of a relationship, even better. I won’t be one of those “pump and dump” donors, though. I want the whole package: nighttime feedings, shopping for cute onesies, teaching my kid to skate. I’m in it for life, and as Franky and I travel this road together, I start to imagine what that life might look like. Not just a baby, but a family of my own.

The thing is, the doc has all sorts of hypotheses about jocks and relationships, and it’s going to take a lot of persuasion—sexy and otherwise—to prove her wrong. She might think the mating rituals of her beloved snails are the only “coupling” worth studying, but I’m determined to show her that when it comes to seeking a mate, this player is as driven as any species in the animal kingdom.

Because making a baby is just the beginning . . .

* She needs a sperm donor * Hockey romance * STEM heroine who studies snails * Childhood nemesis * Enemies to lovers * She watches him make his "donation" * Her brain turns him on * Spicy

Genres: Romance, Hockey, Sports Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Sports, Hockey Romance, Contemporary

404 pages, Paperback

First published February 24, 2026

About the author

Kate writes sexy contemporary, sports, and LGBTQ+ romance with strong guys and amazing women and men who match their heroes quip for quip. She's known for blending heat, humor, and heart into irresistibly romantic stories.

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The Rookie Rebels features a team of heroes who are about to learn that all's fair in love and hockey.
1. GOOD GUY (Levi and Jordan)
2. INSTACRUSH (Theo and Elle)
3. MAN DOWN (Gunnar and Sadie)
4. FOREPLAYER (Cal and Mia)
5. DEAR ROOMIE (Reid and Kennedy)
6. REBEL YULE (Erik and Casey)
7. JOCK WANTED (Fitz and Tara)
8. SUPERSTAR (Bast and Pepper)
9. WILD RIDE (Dex and Ashley)
10. HOCKEY WIFE (Banks and Georgia)

The Hot in Chicago Rookies series heads back to Engine 6 for more steamy firefighter romances.
0. COMING IN HOT (Tyler and Evie)
1. UP IN SMOKE (Roman and Abby)
2. DOWN IN FLAMES (Jude and Hudson)
3. HOT TO THE TOUCH (Sam and Cassandra)

The Laws of Attraction series about sexy divorce lawyers:
1. DOWN WITH LOVE (Max and Charlie)
2. ILLEGALLY YOURS (Lucas and Trinity)
3. THEN CAME YOU (Grant and Aubrey)

The Chicago Rebels series about sexy hockey players:
0.5 IN SKATES TROUBLE (Ford and Addison) - FREE!
1. IRRESISTIBLE YOU (Remy and Harper)
2. SO OVER YOU (Vadim and Isobel)
3. UNDONE BY YOU (Dante and Cade)
4. HOOKED ON YOU (Bren and Violet)
5. WRAPPED UP IN YOU (More Dante and Cade)

The Hot in Chicago series about sexy firefighters:
0.5 REKINDLE THE FLAME (Beck and Darcy)
1. FLIRTING WITH FIRE (Luke and Kinsey)
1.5 MELTING POINT (Gage and Brady)
2. PLAYING WITH FIRE (Eli and Alex)
3. SPARKING THE FIRE (Wyatt and Molly)
3.5 FOREVER IN FIRE (More Eli and Alex)
3.6 COMING IN HOT, Men in Uniform anthology (Tyler and Evie)

The Hot in the Kitchen series about sexy chefs:
1. FEEL THE HEAT (Jack and Lili)
2. ALL FIRED UP (Shane and Cara)
3. HOT AND BOTHERED (Tad and Jules)

... however each book can also be read as a standalone novel or novella.

For excerpts, news, and giveaways, visit: http://katemeader.com

Reviews

[♡❀Caroline. K❀♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd installment in the Chicago Rebels series, and we follow Franky and Jason’s story. Franky is at a point in her life where she wants a baby, but she doesn’t want to go through the struggle of finding a partner. So she starts compiling a list of potential donors… and that’s when her childhood nemesis, Jason, surprises her by offering to help.

• Nerdy FMC x Hockey MMC
• Enemies to lovers (with history)
• She’s older

Both main characters come from difficult backgrounds, and you really see how that shapes them in adulthood. In order to move forward with having a baby, they have to slowly disarm the defense systems they’ve built over the years.

The relationship development felt natural. There were a few hiccups along the way, but overall I really enjoyed unraveling their story.

I want to thank The Author Agency and Kate Meader for the ARC.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“But I know something you don’t. Damn, even your snails have it figured out… That it’s better with two.”

Slug girl and hockey boy for the win!! Franky and Jason were teased at the end of Rebel Bride and I was so excited to hear their story. Two of the most unlikely people to make the most wholesome couple!

Franky is ready to be a mom, she just needs to find a sperm donor. Jason is ready to be a dad and willing to step up for Franky, even if the two have never really gotten along in all the years they have known each other.

Their story was awkward and fun! They both wanted the same thing but their journeys to get there were a bit different. Luckily they had the nine months to realize they were perfect for each other!

“I’ve been ready forever. I just needed to meet the right malacologist.”

🔥: “Put your hands on my shoulders, Francesca. Squeeze if you need to. Use me for support. I’m here for whatever you want.”

[♡ Amy ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wowww I think this may be one of my favs in this series!! Their dynamic was sooo cute and I loved them together sooo much!!

When Franky realises that her chances to be a mum are decreasing she decides to do something about it, all she has to do is find a donor. She made a spreadsheet of those eligible, including the arrogant and cruel Jason. But when her plan doesn't seem to go right the thing she least expects happens, Jason offers to be her donor?!? But he doesn't want to pump and dump, he wants to be a father. Can he persuade Franky that he isn't this person she thinks him to be? Can they be more than co-parents? 🙃

We have childhood nemesis, found family, stem fmc, sperm donor 🔥

Franky - She was a strong, independent fmc that didn't want anyone telling her what to do. I really liked her character and loved that she was different from other characters we've read about. She had some issues that she had to conquer and her mum definitely didn't help those and made them worse but she had Jason's reassurance and patience which really adorable <3

Jason - He was the guy that Franky deserved. He was so kind and caring throughout everything, even when he wasn't sure what was going on with her. I loved that he never backed down and made his view and feelings clear because he wanted to show up and be there for her, it was soo sweet!

I really loved this story, I don't think I've read anything like this and it was amazing 💕

Thank you to The Author Agency and Kate Meader for the ARC 💗

[Dawn Smit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opposites do attract, age is just a number, communication is vital and 2 is always better than 1 💜

This was such a fun read
🤓 She's a brainy geek, professor of snails who wants a baby and needs a sperm donor
🏒 He's the super hot jock, D man hockey player with strong 'swimmers'
But they have disliked each other for over 20 years
The issues they encounter are real, emotional, spicy and very funny

Do yourself a favor and read this book and come join the Chicago Rebels family 💜 you won't be disappointed

Thank you Kate for the ARC opportunity 💕

[Ms Zou · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this book. I sat down in the early morning thinking of getting a few chapters in before starting my day and did not stop reading until the end. The writing is so addictive, the plot keeps you hooked and the characters are so much fun. I loved the nerdiness of Franky and how badly Jason wanted her. Already so excited for the next book in this series, because I need more of this!

[Serena Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

’Siempre pensé que sostener un palo de hockey, sintiéndolo como una extensión de mi brazo, era donde mis manos debían estar. Estaba equivocado. Esto era. Mi mano sobre su vientre, absorbiendo la patada de mi hija. No solo quería una familia. Quería esto, todo. Y lo quería con ella.’




•Mi opinión puede contener Spoilers.
•Esta destinada a ser un descargo personal no para que alguien más lea pero si lo haces y te ofende, me disculpo porque sé lo que es que te guste un libro y otros lo critiquen.



Top Shelf Stud de Kate Meader serie Chicago Players libro 3

Argumento:

El médico caracol quiere un bebé. Me ofrecí voluntario para hacerlo. Pero pronto me di cuenta de que una "donación" nunca sería suficiente. Quiero ser padre, pero sobre todo, la quiero a ella.

Franky

Cuando se enfrenta a la cruda realidad de sus cada vez menores posibilidades de ser madre, ¿qué puede hacer una mujer de ciencia?

Por supuesto, crea una hoja de cálculo con los donantes que puedan optar a ellos.

Encontrar un hombre para toda la vida no está en mis planes, ¿pero uno para este propósito en particular? Eso sí que puedo hacerlo. Como hija de una leyenda de los Chicago Rebels y experta en gasterópodos (más conocidos como caracoles y babosas), tengo muchas opciones tanto en el mundo del hockey como en el académico. El proceso de selección debería ser sencillo, sobre todo porque mi metodología ya ha descartado varias opciones, incluyendo a Jason Isner, mi némesis de la infancia y defensa recientemente fichado por los Rebels. Siempre lo he considerado arrogante, cruel y, para ser sincera, no muy brillante.

Rara vez me equivoco. Pero puede que me haya equivocado con respecto a Jason...

Jason

Me sorprendí incluso a mí mismo cuando me ofrecí a ser el padre del bebé de Franky St. James, pero la paternidad ha sido mi sueño desde siempre. Si puedo lograrlo sin las complicaciones de una relación, mucho mejor. Eso sí, no seré uno de esos donantes que solo donan y desechan. Quiero la experiencia completa: darle el pecho por la noche, comprarle ropa adorable, enseñarle a patinar.

Estoy comprometido para toda la vida, y mientras Franky y yo recorremos este camino juntos, empiezo a imaginar cómo sería esa vida. No solo un bebé, sino mi propia familia.

El caso es que la doctora tiene todo tipo de hipótesis sobre los deportistas y las relaciones, y va a hacer falta mucha persuasión —sexy y de otro tipo— para demostrarle que está equivocada. Puede que piense que los rituales de apareamiento de sus adorados caracoles son el único tipo de "pareja" que merece la pena estudiar, pero estoy decidido a demostrarle que, cuando se trata de encontrar pareja, este ligón es tan ambicioso como cualquier otra especie del reino animal.
Porque hacer un bebé es solo el comienzo...


Mi humilde opinión:

Romance deportivo, Hockey, de enemigos a amantes, polos opuestos, él es dos años menor que ella, acuerdan tener un bebé juntos porque quieren ser padres.

Frankie siente que su tiempo para tener un bebé este pasando, sin éxito en las relaciones, su única opción es un donador de esperma. Para eso esta armada con una lista de potenciales donadores casi todos jugadores de hockey especialmente seleccionados. El primero es su buen amigo Sean pero cuando le pregunta este declina porque esta en una relación, es entonces que aparece Jason, el hermano de Sean que al enterarse de eso lo enfurece pero aún más que esta en la lista de Franky pero como un potencial NO donador. La cosa es que él también desea mucho formar una familia y tenia la esperanza de que suceda pero su novia lo dejó porque no lo veía como material de marido. Ahora tiene una chance de tener un hijo solo tiene que hacerle cambiar la opinión que Franky tiene de él porque ella no puede olvidar lo cruel que fue con ella en el pasado. Además le dio un apodo que nunca pudo olvidar Chica Babosa por su amor a los caracoles.

Me imagine a Jason como un enorme oso de peluche con camiseta de hockey y sonrisa arrogante, me derretía cuando hablaba sobre su deseo de ser padre y lo dulce que era con su pequeña sobrina. Me pareció gracioso que que pensara que el cerebro de Franky lo arruinara para cualquier otra mujer. Que su estilo profesora con anteojos lo volviera loco.

Franky era una mujer super inteligente pero no lo era tanto cuando se trataba de relaciones. Me frustraba que no viera que Jason en verdad la veía hermosa y quería más con ella. Odiaba la forma en que se menospreciaba diciendo que era la mujer mayor que quería atrapar al jugador mas joven, cuatro ojos, patito feo, que no merecía a un hombre como Jason y otras cosas negativas que se decía a si misma que hablaba alto de la falta de confianza en sí misma. Pero la interacción que tiene con la madre en uno de los capítulos deja en claro lo fuerte que la marcó desde niña la falta de autoestima.

Me gustó que Franky y Jason me dieran un poco de rivalidad y amistad antes de que saltaran a las partes picantes. Eran una pareja interesante con discusiones interesantes y además eran divertidos. Me hacían reír mientras intentaban que ella quedara embarazada. A pesar de que los dos tienen química, ella se niega a creer que un jugador apuesto que podría tener a cualquier mujer se enamore de ella y él piensa lo contrario, que una mujer inteligente como ella con un doctorado se enamore de un jugador tonto como él. Me hicieron sufrir dando vueltas alrededor del otro sin decir o admitirse lo que realmente sienten pero aun cuando Jason le confiesa que se enamoró de ella, a Frankie le cuesta creer que en verdad la ama! Les costó abrirse al otro antes de alcanzar su final feliz porque ambos arrastraban problemas en relación con sus padres con los que debían lidiar interiormente, como la carencia de autoestima, el miedo al abandono, el temor a volverse su reflejo, a ser insuficientes o no merecedores de amor. Los dos tenían un increíble apoyo de sus hermanos y hermanas que tenían sus propias familias con hijos, así que contaban con una gran contención. Sin embargo, como todos estos problemas venía desde la infancia, no me pareció realista que parecieran resolverlos de la noche a la mañana sino es con ayuda de un profesional para hablarlos y tratarlos.

Todo tiene un lindo final, con declaraciones de amor, el nacimiento del bebé y la gran familia de ambos reunida.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teenage boys are a menace, especially when they want to show off in front of their friends. They can be cruel to girls, usually they act worst around the girls that have caught their attention. When Jason and Franky were teens, Jason left quite an impression and not in a good way. He hurt her feelings and played on her insecurities that her mother highlighted often. Sure he was going through family drama too but his words left a lasting effect. Now years later, Franky still tried to have as few interactions with Jason as possible. It was impossible, to cut him out of her life completely because one of her best friend's was his brother, and he played for the team owned by her aunt. Her father was a retired player too.

Now Franky was all grown and a doctor in her field, studying slugs and snails. Her field might not be glamorous but she loved it and excelled in it. After putting her career first for years, she now yearns for a child. She doesn't want a relationship after witnessing her mother's toxicity even though her father and stepmother have a great marriage. She is surrounded by loving couples but hasn't found a supportive partner. She has decided to ways the pros and cons of all the single age appropriate men she knows in hopes to find the father of her child. She knows her clock is ticking and humans can't self fertilize like the snails she studies. She wants to do this on her own as a single independent career woman.

Jason has never wanted a relationship after seeing how his father abandoned him and his too brothers, choosing to ignore his children until it benefited him. Now watching his father dote on his sons from his newest wife was extremely hard. He wanted nothing to do with his absentee parent. His mother was amazing though. He had girlfriends but none made him want to settle down until his last one, though it turns out she wanted the same but with someone else. Jason may say he does not want a relationship but he wants a child of his own. Watching Theo with his kids and interacting with his nieces and nephews makes him want more for himself. He might seem like a dumb jock but he is quite smart when something interests him and he is willing to learn more. When he learns that Franky wants to be a mother, he is determined that he could convince her to let him be the father. He wants to make amends and create a lifelong bond with her through a child. He knows it won't be easy but he is committed.

Through the ups and downs to conception and pregnancy, Jason has been there for Franky. Physically present whenever his schedule allows, consciously when sending food and goodies, when he can't, and always checking in. Franky accepts the help but is still determined to keep him af arms length, not trusting him to stick around. Believing that he would leave if something better or someone younger and more beautiful caught his eye, without having any evidence to this. Franky also continued to put her wants and career first without allowing any input from Jason, even when he tried to understand why she would leave their entire support system during her pregnancy and potentially after. She shut him down and made him feel irrelevant. Even when he shared his feelings for her and their child, she refused to see what was in front of her. With her mother's toxicity skewing her perception of herself and negativity towards all hockey players, past and present, Franky was stuck between the truth and the lies her mother has spewed over the course if her life. Now can her father, undo the damage and shed some truth and light on the situation before its too late. Will Franky and Jason get their happily ever after or will they be stuck following a co-parenting contract before they fell for each other?

I loved Franky and Jason. They are both scared to take the leap and trust anyone other than family with their hearts. When they finally open up to the possibility the rewards are bountiful. Jason and his teammates thrive when they find their person. Franky is Jason's person and luckily they realized that before too much damage was done. Their children will be so loved and blessed.

Thank you Kate Meader and The Author Agency for the ARC and the opportunity to review this book!

[Good Booking Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is sharp, sexy, emotionally layered, and one of the most satisfying hate-to-love romances I’ve read in a long time. At its core, this is the story of two people in their late thirties who have known each other since they were young teenagers—and have disliked each other just as long.

He’s a professional hockey player with a reputation: talented, disciplined, and chronically unsuccessful in relationships. She’s a bona fide genius scientist (yes, a STEM heroine who studies snails, and somehow makes it fascinating) who has always struggled to feel comfortable in her own skin.

Their history is messy. When they were 13 and 15, he called her names—careless, teenage cruelty that stuck with her far longer than he ever realized. She never forgot it. And she never forgave it. From that moment on, she saw him as the stereotypical “dumb jock”—all brawn, no brain. And she made sure he knew it. Her barbed comments about his intelligence became second nature.

From his side? He couldn’t stand what he perceived as her know-it-all, I’m-smarter-than-all-of-you attitude. He saw arrogance where there was really armor. She saw shallowness where there was really insecurity.

And the insecurities run deep. Her mother spent her entire childhood chiseling away at her confidence—telling her she wasn’t pretty enough, not social enough, too smart, too awkward, the kind of woman who would “never land a man.” Those words became the voice in her head. So she built a fortress out of intellect. If she couldn’t be lovable, she could at least be brilliant.

He, meanwhile, grew up with an absent father who treated him and his brothers like afterthoughts. The divorce hit him harder than he ever admitted. He learned that men leave. That attachment isn’t permanent. That love is conditional. No wonder his romantic track record is a disaster—in his last relationship, she left him feeling like he's not enough

Fast forward to the present: they’re both successful. Established. Independent. And painfully aware something is missing. They both want a baby.

She makes a practical, clinical decision: she’ll find a suitable sperm donor. No relationship. No complications. No emotional risk. She compiles a literal list. And when he doesn’t make the cut? He’s offended. Deeply.

Not just because his ego takes a hit—but because, for the first time, he realizes he wants something real. Not just a child. Not just biology. He wants to matter. He makes it his mission to change her mind, to prove he’s more than the “dumb jock” she’s always believed him to be.

What unfolds is deliciously tense. Hate-to-tolerate-to-love done right. Their banter is sharp, their resentment believable, and their slow unraveling absolutely addictive. Watching him be genuinely turned on by her brain? Incredible. Watching her slowly realize that the boy who hurt her grew into a man capable of depth and devotion? Even better. And yes—this book delivers on every trope it promises:
Hockey Romance
Older Woman / Younger Man
Enemies to Lovers
Childhood Nemesis
“She needs a sperm donor”
STEM Heroine
He falls for her mind first
She absolutely watches him make his “donation” 👀

But beyond the tropes, this story is an achingly accurate portrayal of what happens when children are raised by emotionally unavailable, narcissistic, or unkind adults. Their wounds shape them. Their coping mechanisms clash. Their defense systems hurt each other. And yet, their healing feels earned.
They don’t magically fix one another. They see each other. They choose each other. They confront the narratives their parents wrote for them—and rewrite them together.

I read this 24 hours because I had to know they would get their HEA. Their hurts called to me, their growth felt personal and their love felt intentional. This isn’t just a romance. It’s a story about unlearning the lies you were raised on and daring to build something healthier in their place.

Five stars. No notes.

Thank you to The Author Agency and Kate Meader for the ARC

[Vriii · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me some time to get into this book because the setting felt different and there were so many characters from the author’s previous books in the same universe. Because of that, it took me a while to settle into the story. Also, as someone who was reading this author for the first time, it was a little hard for me to get used to the writing style at the beginning. The setting felt unfamiliar, the characters felt new, and the world felt a bit overwhelming at first.

But later, around the 12–20% mark, it started to get to me. It slowly started to grow on me, and before I knew it, I had finished the whole book in a single day. Even though I was feeling sleepy, I still felt like I needed to finish reading it.

This book has a really unique theme, and there are very few books that talk about IVF or conceiving a child without involving a romantic relationship. The first book I read with a similar concept was Josh and Gemma Make a Baby, and I really enjoyed that one too.

In this book, the premise is somewhat similar. The heroine wants to be a mother. She knows she is in her late thirties and that her biological clock is ticking, and she doesn’t want to do things the traditional way, finding someone, dating them, marrying them, and then having a baby. Instead, she chooses a more modern, scientific method.

So she does what she does best: she makes lists. Lists of potential donors who could become the father of her baby.

And then comes Jenson, the annoyingly cute, sexy, infuriating man with that smug smile who also happens to be Francesca’s nemesis. To be very honest, the reason they were frenemies in the first place, all the bickering and tension, felt a little foolish. But sometimes childhood scars leave deep wounds, and that was the case with them.

Later in the book, they sort out the misunderstanding and clear things up. And then there they are, suddenly trying to co-parent.

To be honest, this book isn’t your usual rom-com where a girl and a guy meet, sparks fly, and suddenly they decide to have a baby together. It’s quite different from that. It touches on various deeper themes like parental abandonment, feeling ignored, therapy, and emotional healing.

One thing I really loved was the way the main characters communicate. They talk like mature adults. Yes, when they fight, they can be immature, but once they calm down, they actually sit down and talk. They communicate. They apologize. They own up to their mistakes instead of letting ego get in the way. That was something I truly appreciated.

Overall, I would say this book was nice, but I still feel like something was missing — the charm, maybe. There were also too many mentions of characters from previous books, and since I hadn’t read those stories, I often felt confused about who was who. It all got a bit jumbled up and overwhelming at times.

However, the romance factor, the intensity, the slow burn, the forced proximity, and the found family elements were really enjoyable. I was definitely swooning in many moments. The banter was fun, and the way Jenson gets completely turned on by her nerdy, geeky rambling was absolutely hilarious. I loved those scenes.

There are some things I didn’t fully enjoy, but I can’t exactly pinpoint what they are. I just know that something felt missing — something that would have made the story truly unforgettable.

[Nadene (Totally Addicted to Reading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Top Shelf Stud is the third book in Kate Meader's Chicago Players series. It serves as my introduction to the author's work. While it is the third book, it works well as a stand-alone read. The character dynamics are engaging, and the story delivers sufficient charm and emotional beats to keep readers invested from start to finish.


The intriguing premise hooked me immediately, and I had no regrets picking it up. In this installment, we meet a heroine who happens to be a malacologist—a specialist in the study of snails. I genuinely had no idea this field existed until now.

Dr. Francesca St. James’s biological clock is ticking loudly, and she’s determined to have a child before it’s too late. With no relationship on the horizon, she takes matters into her own hands and begins the search for a viable candidate, one who meets both her scientific standards and her emotional boundaries.

Enter Jason Isner, pro hockey player two years her junior, and her childhood nemesis. On her spreadsheet of potential candidates, he ranked as her least likely choice. This stemmed from a twenty-three-year-old grudge. She despised him for a teenage offense where he nicknamed her “slug girl." Admittedly, that’s a long time to hold a grudge over a single nickname, but it’s the kind of deep-rooted tension that makes their dynamic so entertaining.

However, he was the only one both available and willing to help her with her desire. Despite the lingering resentment, he was the unexpected but inevitable choice due to practicality and a spark she'd rather not acknowledge.

I cast my vote for Jason as the perfect book boyfriend. He exudes confidence on the ice, but beneath that swagger is a man desperately craving stability. He doesn’t just want to be a father; he wants a family. If only he could convince Franky.

In addition to his confidence, patience was another of Jason’s virtues. It showed in his interactions with Franky. She was not the easiest person to love. Her low self-esteem and her stubborn refusal to release old hurts made it difficult to warm up to her. Yet Jason met every wall she put up with steady, unwavering persistence, breaking them down brick by brick.

The tension between them drove the story. Watching them challenge each other, sometimes sharply, sometimes playfully, was a delight. Franky seriously underestimated him, convinced he was intellectually challenged, and he set out to prove how wrong her assumptions were. And wow, was she wrong. Once the truth came to light, their chemistry exploded.

Overall, Top Shelf Stud is a total delight! A swoon-worthy hero, a heroine with real, relatable growth, and chemistry that practically leaps off the page. Though I took time to warm up to Franky, Jason’s steady persistence made their journey deeply satisfying. It's fun, sexy, and emotional, making it a good addition to the Chicago Players series.

This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading

[Bindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️

ARC Review :

“She’s everything I never knew I needed.”

This is such a feel-good story about love blossoming between a jock and a nerd. On the surface, it may seem like an overdone trope, but like any truly great story, this book has so many layers.

Franky is the nerdy daughter of a professional hockey player battling alcoholism and a mother who is shallow and more in love with the idea of marrying a “Hockey Player” than with being a parent. Though Franky gains an incredible stepmother in Violet who constantly reminds her that she is perfect exactly as she is but some scars never fully heal. Especially the ones inflicted by person who is supposed to love you unconditionally.

Franky is a beautiful, intelligent, fiercely independent woman. Unfortunately, her experiences with love have been far from ideal. Combined with her mother’s constant criticisms, she’s convinced herself she’s destined to be eternally single. As heartbreaking as that is, I loved that she refuses to let it stop her from pursuing her dream of having children. Her journey from choosing a donor to giving birth is both empowering and deeply inspiring. Watching her emotional growth throughout the story proves just how transformative a truly supportive partner can be.

I also loved the parallels between Franky and Jason. As a reader, it was fascinating to see that they carry such similar trauma and scars, yet neither initially recognizes how alike their journeys are. Jason sees himself as a “dumb jock,” which couldn’t be further from the truth. He may not be academically inclined at a professor’s level, but his emotional intelligence is off the charts. He reads, researches, and invests deeply in the things that matter to him.

Despite having a narcissistic father who treats abandoning his children like a second job, Jason is empathetic, thoughtful, and always willing to take accountability. He believes he’ll also be eternally single because he doesn’t see himself as worthy of lasting love and that absolutely broke my heart.

This is a heartwarming story about two people healing together, learning to see themselves through each other’s eyes.

As someone who has read and loved all the first-generation books, it was such a joy to see these beloved characters again. Theo is still the deeply empathetic man I adore. Reuniting with him made me realize how much Jason has modeled himself after Theo rather than his father. Bren remains the stoic, gentle giant who always knows exactly what to say when it matters most. And Violet is still adorably ferocious when it comes to protecting the people she loves.

It was truly an honor to be chosen to read and review the ARC featuring the children of characters I’ve loved for so long. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity and cannot wait to read the rest of the second generation’s stories.

[Marion Löw · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this enemies-to-lovers hockey romance featuring childhood nemeses whose careless, childish insults and false assumptions about each other led to decades of hostility until they try to have a child together and realise that the other person is not at all what they always assumed and that they are hiding their true feelings and insecurities behind false bravado.
The plot is well written and filled with heartfelt emotion, humor, a touch of drama, lots of verbal sparring and banter, and a few steamy love scenes. I myself am absolutely not a fan of snails and slugs, but I was impressed by the author’s research. I liked Franky and Jason and was able to empathise with them most of the time. However, there were times when I wasn't sure who frustrated me more - Franky or her narcissistic mother...
Franky is a geeky, no-nonsense STEM heroine who is fiercely independent, but also awkward and insecure, with a dry sense of humor, while Jason is likable, playful, caring and protective, but he too has inferiority and abandonment issues.
The enemies tension between them at the beginning and their sizzling chemistry were palpable, and I loved how they learned to appreciate each other's strengths and quirks as their relationship developed. At first glance, the two are completely different, but ultimately more similar than expected and perfect for each other.

Single university professor and snail expert Franky St. James is in her late thirties and desperately wants a child, but to do so she needs a sperm donor. So she makes a spreadsheet of her acquaintances who might be suitable.
Pro Hockey D-man Jason Isner has moved back to Chicago to play for the Chicago Rebels and to be closer to his family. After his girlfriend left him and is now pregnant by another man, and Jason admires his brother Theo's family idyll, especially the children, he also longs for a child, but without a committed relationship with the mother. Frankie's plans suit him, even though they have hated each other since childhood and avoid each other.
Franky is desperate. The man who called her a "weird girl" when she was a child and whom she herself considers a "dumb jock" is certainly not her first choice, but she reluctantly agrees to co-parenting. Soon they feel attracted to each other and begin to see each other in a different light, but their fears, insecurities and Franky's ambitions stand in their way...

If you like emotional hockey romance novels with complex characters, lots of tension, humor and spice, but also plenty of sweetness and swoon, you're sure to enjoy this book!

I received a free ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and left voluntarily.

[Jackie (Jackie's Book World) · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Review can also be found at Jackie's Book World. :)***

Not having read any other books by Meader before, I didn’t know what to expect. Needless to say, Top Shelf Stud is a witty and swoon-worthy enemies-to-lovers hockey romance that will leave you rooting for the characters until the very end!

As a world- famous malacologist, Franky St. James has made it her mission to study everything there is to know about slugs and snails. She is at the the top of her career while giving lectures at Lakeshore University. Franky also happens to come from a well-known hockey family, the Chicago Rebels. In her world, she has everything she could possibly want, except for the fact that she is getting older and her time to be able to conceive safely is running out. With her sister already married and having babies, Franky yearns to be a mom. So, as the scientist that she is, she develops a list of potential candidates that would potentially make good donors. The only thing left to do is to go around and start crossing off her list.

That proves to be easier said than done, after getting rejected it takes her by surprise when her childhood nemesis volunteers to be her donor. On the condition that he would like the be involved as the dad as much as possible, throwing Franky off completely. She never expected for Jason Isner to want to be involved, after all they don’t have the best of relationships. Especially after what he called her all those years ago, making her feel odd and unwanted. But it’s been years since that encounter and making him prove that he is the perfect donor is on the agenda, Franky wasn’t expecting to fall for her childhood nemesis in the process.

Having recently signed with the Chicago Rebels, Jason Isner, is ready to make a name for himself with his new team. After going through a rough break up, he is not interested in a relationship at all. His focus is on the game and giving it his all to his team. Until he hears that Franky is looking for a donor with no strings attached in order for her to be a mom. There has always been something about Franky that felt intimidating, he was the jock growing up while she was glued to her snails/slugs. They never got along, but a part of him always wanted to prove that he could be more than just a hockey player. There is also a part of him that wants to be a dad and he can’t let that opportunity go by without convincing Franky that he is the best option. Little does Jason know that his life was about to change forever.


I absolutely loved reading Top Shelf Stud! From the character development to the writing, this story truly had me falling for the characters. They are completely opposites who have a lot in common, so they are able to relate to one another. Making a baby turns into steamy late nights and it’s when the lines are crossed that they have to make a decision not to fall for each other. They also need to navigate how everyone around them is going to perceive their arrangement. They’ve always been nemesis, but Jason is ready to prove that he is it for her. I loved how Jason quickly became Franky’s protector, no matter how much Franky tried to push him away. I loved them together, the ending was really sweet. I would highly recommend checking out this story, I can’t wait to read more from the author in the future! :)

***I received an advanced copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.***

[Fernanda Montealegre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review

Creo que por lejos uno de los libros en donde los protas anhelan con sus almas ser papás y encontrarse en el medio 🥹

Frankie se ha dedicado toda su vida a su trabajo y gracias a su esfuerzo ha llegado lejos, pero está a un par de años de cumplir los 40 años y se da cuenta que es EL MOMENTO de ser madre, aunque el gran problema es que no tiene a un posible padre. Haciéndolo honor a su profesión, decide crear una lista de posibles hombres que encuentra perfectos para ser donadores de esperma, pero cuando su primera opción la rechaza, se llevará una gran sorpresa con un posible candidato.

Jason es un gran jugador de hockey a sus 35 años, es un hombre leal y muy cercano a su familia. Lleva años pensando en formalizar una relación y sentar cabeza, pero cuando su novia lo deja porque no quiere algo serio, duda si realmente ese es su destino, pero se lleva una grata sorpresa cuando escucha a su hermano y a la mejor amiga de él pidiéndole ser el donador para su hijo.

Nos presentan unos protagonistas que llevan años conociéndose, ya que Frankie es mejor amiga de su hermano desde que tiene memoria, pero la relación nunca ha sido buena y eso lo vemos con un salto temporal de MUCHOS años AKSHJA lo amé totalmente

Una vez que deciden ser co-padres tienen que descifrar un gran dilema: Para Frankie buscar un donador facilitará las expectativas en la parentalidad, pero Jason está decidido a formar parte de la vida del bebé.

El personaje de Frankie es alucinante, es una mujer que llega años interesada en los caracoles por lo cual ha basado sus investigaciones en ellos, por su gran intelectual muchos hombres la han catalogado como “nerdy” pero siempre se ha aferrado a su convicción y sobreponiéndose ante las críticas, les juro que es una mujer digna de admirar.

Jason tiene la gran convicción que será un buen padre, algo que el suyo no pudo ser, pero constantemente se ve en duda ante lo impotente que es Frankie; su intelecto, su belleza, su fiereza y su simpática. Si hay algo de lo que está claro es que quiere ser padre y no pude pensar en una mejor madre para su hijo

A ambos personajes los vamos conociendo poco a poco y ellos sienten lo mismo, eran personajes secundarios en la vida del otro pero este gran paso les da la posibilidad de conocerse y demostrar que no son tan distintos de lo que pensaban.
El libro en su gran mayoría se basa en el embarazo de Frankie, en como contarles a su familia y, lo más importante, evitar los sentimientos que se van desarrollando a través de gestos y palabras que nos harán estremecer.

Por favor, háganse el favor y LÉANLO!

[Jessie The Great · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, I love Jason Isner. With all my heart. What a good boy. Was he an obnoxious 13 year old? Sure, but who wasn't at 13. Did he deserve the ire of a 15 year old that lasted into adulthood? Absolutely not. She was the older party, yet she allowed his taunting words, which in my opinion weren't that harsh, hurt her feelings. I suppose he hit on a sore spot and it was awful timing, but still. He didn't deserve 23 years of hate for a nickname which really was a descriptor.

Now that my rant about that is over, let's break it down. While not stated, our FMC seems very single-minded about gastropods - to the point that she seemed a bit on the spectrum. Which more power to her. She was an icon in the world of snails and bug scientists, which I am amazed that Kate went into so much depth on. I feel like I learned a good bit about our slimy little friends through this cute little novel. I'm not mad about it. What I was mad about, multiple times, was the almost careless way she treated Jason's feelings throughout the ENTIRETY of the book (all well much of the time knowing what she was saying would hurt him). That being said, this book ended up so nicely and was tied up nicely with a bow.

My hackles were raised so often because she refused to consider him when thinking about the future of the child they were having together. She kept using the contract as a "well you signed off on it", when clearly they were more than just partners in this contractual endeavor. It was hard to see her break his heart over and over again. Again, this is coming from a person who believes cis white men with money should be broken regularly, gotta keep them on their toes. But I found myself feeling bad for him. The absolute horror.

Did I like this book? Yes. I really enjoyed the story, the snail talk, and even the love story. I thought these opposites were perfect for each other. I hated how she thought of herself though. She was so demeaning to herself throughout the book - because people in her life had taught her that was normal. I hated that. I wish people weren't shitty and treated each other abhorrently - but that's not the world we live in. I think this was a great addition to the Chicago Players world. We spent time with our old favorites and met new ones. I can't wait for Secret Husband. The spoilers for that seem juicy. Definitely give this one a read. I don't' think you'll regret it!

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 (Jason's dirty talk was so good)
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25

[Susan McWhinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read and if you love enemies to lovers, reverse age gap (2years) and a slow burn......yes there is plenty of hot S3xy scenes with our hunky hockey player and our nerdy academic.....but admitting there is more than a contract between them, well that takes guts that both the stubborn slug girl and the hot headed hockey player were not keen to explore....and it took 9 long torturous months!!! But I love slow burn so this was my krypto....
This is Francesca and Jason's story.
Francesca wanted nothing more than to be a mum. Always the odd one out, she knew her options were limited and her biological clock was ticking.
So she made a list! She was very good at lists and decided to find men that met her criteria to being her baby daddy!
Jason watched as his family and friends met their "the one", get married and start families. He just so desperately wanted that too.....
Surprise, his nemesis wanted a baby daddy....a sperm doner to help her achieve motherhood. He could do that, couldn't he?
Trouble with that is he knew Francesca would not even consider him as she hated him. For reasons he could not fathom...cos everyone Loved Jason!! (at age 13, he called her slug girl...something she never forgot)
An overall great story as two people come together for the same goal. And that is to become parents. Neither wanted commitment, a relationship or were looking for marriage. This was a match made in heaven. Jason's only stipulation was they were to co-parent! He was so excited when she chose him! Score!!
Feelings soon develop, but as neither knew real love...was that what was happening?
Francesca knew how to keep her distance. Jason wanted more. But between playing professional Hockey and being on the road, and Francesca moving to Boston for a semester, to work, he found he didn't get the one on one time with his baby mamma like he wanted.
Having procreated the traditional way, Jason knew he wanted more. He knew she felt the spark, and their chemistry is off the charts hot.
Plenty of banter between the rookie hockey players on and off the field. Even Jason and Francesca have their fun. Emotional rollercoaster and all as the hormonal Francesca has Jason tied up in knots as tempers flare, but making up is always fun!!
An overall very satisfying read, and the birth of their baby! Oh yeh!! well worth waiting for. And do they get their HEA? Of course. But you must have a read to find out how!
Loved it in it's entirety and read in one session...yep it was that good!

[Elizabeth Mazzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an arc I received from The Author Agency. This was also a new to me author and I was excited to give her a try! Well I am glad I decided to read a new author! This book was everything from having the hot jock to the nerdy college professor! While Franky and Jason were two very opposite people, they were not strangers to each other. They grew up knowing each other. She had a crush own him back them, but she was just a dorky “girl next door”. Well jump to present day, and she is having baby fever and wants to have a baby. She has put lots of thought into finding the right person off her list to be the baby daddy. What she didnt expect to happen was to find Jason, the person that she could not get along with offering to help her. Why? Because he to had baby fever. As they “try” and figure out how to go about it, it wasnt until they finally did it the old fashion way that she became pregnant. However, that when things started getting complicated. They both had started to get feeling for each other, and while she was so certain that she didnt need the baby daddy in her life she soon found that she enjoyed him and things about him. She moved to Boston to work at a college for a program that she was ever excited about, it put a slight damper on their relationship. They ended up fighting and hardly talking. People start to notice and after some heart to heart talks with their love ones they finally come back together and find that they both while stubborn Franky and heart on his sleeve Jason finally fall in love. As time start to arrive for the birth, she end up going into labor at a game and he rushes to be by her side rather than play in the game. They even name their daughter after someone in the hockey world and his team goes on to win the cup and they both become that couple they were finally meant to be.
I really enjoyed this book. At first I was confused about the snails at the start of the book and why she was so into them, but as you read you soon discover just why they play an important role in the story. I think that everything about this story has a reason for being in it, it flows well and I think that it brings you into the story. There isn’t to much of just hockey, there isn’t to much of just her and her college work, there is enough of both of that, there is the bringing you into the family life they each have and why they are the way they are.
I really enjoyed this book and I am going to have to go and look for more books by this author to see how these two became who they are.

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

TOP SHELF STUD is the third instalment in Kate Meader’s contemporary, adult CHICAGO PLAYERS erotic, second generation, hockey romance series, set in the author’s Chicago Rebels and Rookie Rebels series. This is thirty-six year old, professional hockey player Jason Isner, and PhD professor Dr Franky St. James’s story line. TOP SHELF STUD can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary . Franky is the daughter of Bren St. James (Hooked On You), and Jason is the half-brother to Theo Kershaw (Instacrush)


Told from dual first person perspectives (Jason and Franky) TOP SHELF STUD follows Dr. Franky Isner as she considers her options for a baby daddy. At thirty-eight eight years old, Franky is desperate to start a family but with no significant other on the horizon, Franky considers the friends in her life. .When her childhood nemesis gets wind of Franky’s plans, Jason Isner offers up his services as baby daddy but Franky has no plans to marry or begin a relationship, and let’s Jason know, she is willing to raise the child alone. throughout the ensuing months, Jason begins to fall for the woman who carries his child but Franky struggles with past heartache, heartache she blames on our story line hero, and considers Jason nothing more than the sperm donor.


The world building focuses on misunderstanding and miscommunication between our story line couples, as well as Franky’s passive aggressive behavior as it pertains to the man with whom she will fall in love. Franky is determined to raise the child without Jason’s help but Jason wants to be part of their child’s life.


The relationship between Franky and Jason begins acrimoniously . Childhood nemesis but for reasons Jason cannot fathom-Franky’s memory is long, and one perceived and painful betrayal finds Franky struggling to forgive or forget. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.


There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, familiar and energetic secondary and supporting characters including characters from the author’s Chicago Rebels and Rookie Rebels series.


TOP SHELF STUD is a story of family and relationships, acceptance , friendships and love. The character driven premise is captivating, entertaining and emotional; the romance is seductive but struggles with preconceived notions, independence, and self-reliance; the characters are determined and charismatic.



copy supplied for review

[Dali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes:
🏒 Hockey romance
🧪 STEM heroine (snail scientist!)
👶 Baby pact / sperm donor
🔥 Enemies to lovers
💗 Childhood nemesis
🌶️ Spicy + tender
👨‍👧 Found family vibes

This was such a fun, spicy, and surprisingly tender hockey romance with a completely unique premise. A STEM heroine who studies snails and creates a spreadsheet to choose her baby’s father? I was instantly in. Add in a childhood nemesis turned volunteer baby daddy and the story had me hooked from the start.

Franky and Jason have known each other forever, but their history is messy and filled with misunderstandings and lingering insecurities. Their dynamic begins with sharp banter and emotional baggage, but as their unconventional agreement unfolds, so does a much deeper connection. Watching them move from reluctant partners to something more meaningful was honestly the heart of this book.

Jason completely won me over. Beneath the confident hockey player exterior is a man who genuinely wants fatherhood, stability, and family. His patience with Franky and the way he shows up again and again made him incredibly easy to love. Franky took me longer to warm up to. Her self-esteem struggles and tendency to hold tightly to past hurts sometimes made her feel emotionally guarded to the point of frustration, but her growth throughout the story felt real and earned.

The chemistry between them is very spicy but also surprisingly sweet. I loved that the story balances heat with real conversations about fertility, single parenthood, vulnerability, and what building a family can look like outside traditional expectations. The timeline allows their relationship to develop naturally, and seeing them slowly let go of preconceived ideas about each other was one of my favorite aspects.

If I had one small critique, I almost wish the story had pushed even deeper into the emotional challenges and stakes of their situation. There were moments where the conflict felt a bit softened when it could have been explored more fully. Still, the overall journey was joyful, heartfelt, and incredibly satisfying.

Spicy, heartfelt, and refreshingly original, this is a hockey romance that blends humor, heat, and emotional growth beautifully. Franky and Jason’s journey from snarky childhood nemeses to partners building something real made this such an enjoyable read.

[Carmen Dieleman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Top shelf stud

Ik kreeg dit boek als recensieexemplaar! Ik was op het begin erg nieuwsgierig naar het verhaal, ik had namelijk wat anders in gedachten over hoe het verhaal zou gaan, maar het bleek achteraf heel anders. Het boek was over het algemeen leuk, het was alleen gewoon niet voor mij.

Ik kan alleen niet precies zeggen waarom. Het verhaal has me denk ik gewoon niet. Het begin was wel leuk, de personages hadden een fijn karakter. Maar halverwege het boek werd het voor mij wat te langdradig en verloor het mijn aandacht. Er had denk ik voor mij wat meer tempo in mogen zitten en wat meer communicatie naar elkaar. Misschien wat meer scènes waar ze gewoon zichzelf konden zijn op de bank of binnen hun huis.
Maar wie weet is dit verhaal wel helemaal iets voor jou!

Franky
When confronted with the cold, hard facts of her diminishing chances to be a mom, what’s a woman of science to do? Make a spreadsheet of eligible donors, of course. Finding a man for life is not in the cards, but one for this singular purpose? I can do that. As the daughter of a Chicago Rebels legend and an expert in the field of gastropods—more commonly known as snails and slugs—I have plenty of choices in the worlds of both hockey and academia. The selection process should be easy, especially as my methodology has already eliminated several options, including Jason Isner, childhood nemesis and recently acquired defenseman for the Rebels. I’ve always considered him arrogant, cruel, and to be honest, not the brightest bulb. I’m rarely wrong. But I might have been mistaken about Jason . . .

I received this review copy as ARC! I was very curious about the story at first, because I had a different storyline in mind, but it turned out quite differently. The book was generally enjoyable, but it just wasn't for me.

I can't quite put my finger on why. I guess the story just didn't have me. The beginning was good, and the characters were great. But halfway through the book, it got a bit too drawn out for me and lost my interest. I think it could have been a bit more pacing and more interaction with each other. Maybe a few more scenes where they could just be themselves on the couch or in their house.
But who knows, this story might just be for you!
⭐️⭐️,5 sterren
#lezenisontspanning #neverstopreading #spreadthebooklove #reading #bookstagramreadsfebruari

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

This is the third book in the Chicago Players series but can be read as a stand alone. Franky is the daughter of a hockey legend. She's a member of a wonderful found family amongst the various hockey players and their spouses. She's an academic expert in snails and slugs, seen as the "quirky one", and doubts she will find anyone to settle down with and have a family. So, she puts in the science, creates a spreadsheet, and sets about doing it alone. With the help of some sperm from one of the men on the list of perfect candidates she's created, of course.

Jason was just traded to Chicago from Boston, finally returning home to play with his brother and nephews. Before leaving he breaks up with the woman he thought he'd have a family with. Turns out she wants to settle down and have a family. Just not with him. That's ok. Jason doesn't really do relationships, but he does want to be a father. Badly. So when he finds out he is on Franky's "baby daddy" list, but crossed off, he sets about convincing her he's the man for the job.

Since the couple both claim to not want love or a relationship, you know what's going to happen the rest of the book. Franky and Jason both have feelings of inadequacy and abandonment from their family so they get each other in a way not many do. This makes them closer and makes them hyperaware of what they don't want to do to their own kid. Their banter is cute, they make a great couple even though they don't "do couple", and find out their dislike of each other hides complicated feelings going back decades. Neither wants to admit they are developing feelings and spend the majority of the book denying them. Time again their resolves begin to melt, but something always stirs to stoke back up the mistrust. The book has plenty of heart and heat, and was a sweet, heartwarming story.

This is another great book in the series and I look forward to the next book in the series. I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from The Author Agency. All opinions are my own.

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the absolute best time with Top Shelf Stud by Kate Meader. This book is chaotic in the most delightful way. Hockey. Science. Sperm donor spreadsheets. Snails. Yes, snails. And somehow it all works so perfectly I am still grinning.

Franky St. James is my new favorite STEM queen. A gastropod expert with a ticking biological clock and zero patience for nonsense, she approaches baby making the way any responsible scientist would. With data. Charts. Elimination criteria. She does not need a husband. She needs viable genetic material and a solid plan. Logical. Efficient. Completely unprepared for Jason Isner.

Jason. The childhood nemesis. The arrogant defenseman. The guy she has already mentally disqualified. Except he goes and volunteers to be her donor and suddenly the spreadsheet combusts.

What I loved most is that Jason is not just offering a sample and a handshake. He wants bedtime stories. He wants to assemble cribs. He wants to teach their future kid to skate. He wants the whole messy, beautiful package. Watching this big, confident hockey player admit he has always dreamed of fatherhood melted me. He is not afraid of commitment. He is afraid of not being chosen.

The enemies to lovers tension is delicious. They bicker. They challenge each other. She thinks he is all brawn and no brain. He is determined to prove her wrong, and the fact that her brain turns him on? Iconic. The banter snaps. The chemistry sizzles. And yes, the donation scenes are spicy in a way that had me fanning myself while laughing at the absurd brilliance of it all.

There is something so satisfying about watching Franky slowly realize that maybe love does not need to be eliminated from the data set. Maybe this jock is not just a top shelf athlete but a top shelf partner. And Jason chasing her with both heart and heat? Perfection.

This book is smart, sexy, funny, and surprisingly tender. It celebrates science and hockey and the beautiful chaos of two people who think they have a plan only to fall headfirst into something better.

[Lindsey Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️🌶️🌶️

My heart was not ready for everything that Kate Meader put into Top Shelf Stud. Book 3 of her Chicago Players series, this one had my heart overflowing with deep connection, raw emotion, and two hearts finding everything they ever wanted with the person they never thought they would want anything with. I love this type of story. The one where the MCs have known each other for some time, but don’t notice each other. Or maybe one knows they are perfect for each other and just needs to figure out how to get the other to realize it too.

How I loved Franky in this story! She is smart, determined, and independent. She knows exactly what she wants and isn’t going to let anyone talk her out of it. She has a great career, a good life, but she’s missing one thing. She is ready to be a mom, without or without a man in her life. So when she starts compiling a list of eligible sperm donors, she doesn’t even think of Jason. Oddly enough, he offers to help and seems excited to have this chance.

Jason also is ready to be a parent, but he wants to be involved. So when he tells Franky he will be her sperm donor, he also plans on showing her that he can be so much more than that. He shows Franky time and time again that he is there for her and their baby. He is completely gone for Franky and loves showing her how sexy he finds her. He may be a big, tough man on the ice, but with Franky he is soft and all heart.

I really, really loved the direction that Kate took this story in. I couldn’t get enough of Franky and Jason and everything that kept pulling them closer and closer together. Seeing how far these two have come since their teens and how they end up being perfect for each other was the cherry on top. An absolute must read!

As always, review any author notes before reading.

What to Expect:
💜Baby Fever
🏒Hockey Romance
💜STEM FMC
🏒Reverse Age Gap
💜Opposites Attract
🏒Childhood Nemesis
💜Enemies to Lovers

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨️ARC✨️

This was such a fun spin on childhood enemies to lovers. I absolutely loved the history between Franky and Jason. You could feel that years of bickering and bruised egos sitting just beneath the surface, and it made every interaction crackle. Jason very clearly fell first and fell harder, which is one of my favourite dynamics. There is something oddly tender about the big, confident hockey player being completely gone for the woman who still thinks he is an overgrown nuisance.

Franky, our brilliantly analytical “snail doc”, was a heroine I really enjoyed. Her spreadsheet approach to finding a sperm donor felt completely on brand, and her scepticism about Jason made sense given their past. She is slow to trust him, slow to believe he could truly want the whole package, and that hesitation gives the romance real weight. When she finally starts to let her guard down, it feels earned.

Jason, newly signed with the Chicago Rebels, is far more than the arrogant childhood nemesis Franky remembers. His desire to be a father is genuinely sweet. He does not just want to make a donation and walk away; he wants midnight feeds, skating lessons, and a family. Watching him try to prove that he is serious, and not just another cocky jock, adds a lovely layer of heart beneath all the heat.

And yes, it is spicy. The tension around the “donation” arrangement, especially with Franky’s very scientific curiosity colliding with Jason’s very physical presence, makes for some deliciously bold moments. The chemistry is undeniable, but what really worked for me was how it evolved into something softer and more meaningful.

A clever, steamy hockey romance with a STEM heroine and a hero determined to rewrite their shared history. Childhood enemies to lovers with just the right mix of banter, vulnerability and heat.

[Alyssa Reads and Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top Shelf Stud is another delightful next generation hockey romance from Kate Meader. With likable characters facing the challenges of becoming parents, this story is filled with thoughtfulness, humor, and steam.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Jason teased brainy Frankie when they were kids, but now that he’s returned to Chicago to play hockey, he’s looking at her differently. For her part, Frankie knows she’s running out of time to have kids, and doesn’t see a traditional relationship working out for her. While on the hunt for a sperm donor, Jason offers to father her child and co-parent too. After all, he has no use for relationships either. Can the pair get Frankie pregnant without any other feelings developing?

Frankie’s always been a favorite character of mine, since she was a science and snail loving kid in her dad’s book. It’s a blast to see her grown up as a successful academic who still has a tough time dealing with her self-absorbed mother.

Jason is so caring with Frankie, and truly pays attention to her. He has his own parent baggage, and it’s great to watch him slowly work through it. I love watching these two learn how each other ticks as an adult while realizing the other has quietly kept track of them over the years. And their chemistry and Jason’s impressive dirty talk don’t hurt either.

I truly enjoyed Top Shelf Stud. A romance where the FMC asks the MMC to simply father her child, no strings attached, can be fraught at times, but Meader handles the topic with care and humor. If you are a hockey romance fan who loves when childhood frenemies become more, you’ll have a great time reading this book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Sunny Shelly Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this enemies-t0-lovers/baby pact story! Kate Meader is not an author I am very familiar with, so I was blown away by how well-done Jason and Franky's romance was!

Jason and Franky are both next-gen characters from another Kate Meader series; like I said, I was not previously familiar with this author's body of work, but I had zero issues trying to connect the dots when it came to their tangled history. They aren't exactly childhood friends, but they have been a part of each other's lives since they were teenagers because their families are connected — so these two have a long history of despising one another. Then, when they come to realize that both of their biological clocks are ticking and they agree to a mutual baby pact, Jason and Franky soon find that they are exactly what has been missing out of each other's lives.

KM did a great job of making both these characters vulnerable and insecure. I expected "Snail Girl" Franky to have some issues, because she's a bit of a geek, right? But I was not expecting Jason, a pro hockey player, to have as many hangups as he did. He was already a great golden retriever character, but getting to know him on a deeper level as his insecurities came to the surface made me fall for the guy even more.

On top of that, the dialogue between the characters was top-notch, and their family circle was fullof lovely and supportive secondary characters. Top Shelf Stud was absolutely charming, and I was so happy to see these two develop a genuine friendship throughout her pregnancy. And then FINALLY get on the same page by the end!

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

[Tanisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lately, I have been fully immersed in my sports romance era, and hockey romances in particular continue to be my weakness. There is just something about the mix of intensity, vulnerability, and emotional stakes that always pulls me in. After finishing “Sweet Thing” and “Rebel Bride,” I was so eager to see what would come next. From the moment I started this book, I had that same immediate feeling that I was in for another story I would not want to put down.

This one hooked me right from the beginning. I really loved that it is told in first person with alternating perspectives, which made it easy to connect with both main characters and understand their motivations. I am always a fan of enemies to lovers, and the added stakes here made the tension and chemistry even more compelling. Watching their dynamic evolve kept me fully invested and turning pages.

Without giving too much away, I really appreciated one emotional thread that ran throughout the story. Both characters struggled with feeling like they were not quite “enough,” and that added a layer of vulnerability that made their connection feel even more meaningful. It was a small detail that made a big impact and gave the romance extra depth.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. It left me excited to dive deeper into this world, and it definitely made me want to go back and read “Hooked On You” to see how Franky’s dad and stepmom first got together.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

[Julie Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this book because I adore a strong female character in STEM and main characters who are more mature. I related completely with the FMC, Franky St. James, a super intelligent Malacologist with a PhD who studies snails. Franky is thirty-eight and wants a child but feels that she has to go the artificial insemination route rather than wait for a relationship that is not materializing anytime soon. The MMC is Jason Isner, a hockey player with the Chicago Rebels. He is thirty-six and wants kids so much that he bought a house with a swing set in the back yard. Jason hasn’t had good luck with relationships either and seizes the opportunity to provide his sperm to help make Franky’s pregnancy dreams come true as long as he gets to co-parent with her.

First, Franky and Jason have to get past the hurt from a conversation they had years ago as teenagers where he called her “slug girl” and she called him a “dumb jock.” As the story unfolds, we see how these two opposites, the “jock” and the “nerd” are actually perfect for each other. The issue is, when will they realize it? Both Franky and Jason have attachment issues from their pasts – Franky with her Mom and Jason with his Dad. These issues are incredibly difficult for them to overcome and provide a lot of depth to this story.

I love all the characters in this book! I have read other books in the Chicago Players Series, so it’s fun to see characters from previous books make appearances. However, this book can also be read as a standalone.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like I've been looking forward to this book forever! (OK, OK, it's only been since the summer. But the need to read this one was strong!)

Franky and Jason's story was a lot of fun...I mean, what's not to love with a snail scientist who's determined to have a baby on her own terms and the hot hockey player (who she's always had a fascination/hate relationship with) who's determined to help her? TBH, I did get a bit frustrated with how gosh darn long it took them to get over their hang ups and issues--especially Franky--and admit what they had was the real deal, but the journey to get there was fun and the ending was everything I wanted it to be, so I'm in a forgiving mood. ;)

Absolutely LOVED what the baby's name ends up being, especially given what I watched just a few days after finishing #olympicshockey #goldmedalgame

For fans of Ms Meader's hockey romances, you'll see *so many* characters from past books absolutely everywhere here--somehow it felt like even more than in the first two series books? But maybe that's just me--which was just delightful. Newbies might need to start a list (or maybe a flow chart? Series of family trees?) to try and keep track--it is a lot. Or better yet, just start at the beginning and work your way up to this latest series and this book. You can thank me later :)

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A-

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars … enemies-to-lovers!

I love this author’s style of writing. Jason and Franky had me laughing-out-loud! They were so opposite but perfect for each other at the same time. I loved the banter between the characters, especially between the hockey players … very realistic. Then there’s the steamy scenes … hot! I liked that characters from previous books are in this book, but there were too many to keep track of … a legend of the characters explaining who each one was would have been helpful. This is a great addition to the series and I can’t wait for the next book!

Jason has just been traded to the NHL team in Chicago and he’s ecstatic, as that is where his family lives. And it doesn’t hurt that he can get away from an ex girlfriend who started dating someone shortly after leaving him and became pregnant. That’s what he wanted with her … a family.

Franky is a nerd … she’d rather talk to snails and slugs than people. But as she’s in her late 30s, she feels that biological clock ticking and she wants to be a mom. She feels no one will want the “Slug Girl” so she makes a plan to have a child on her own. Now all she needs is a sperm donor. When the first man she asks says no, she is shocked when his brother Jason volunteers. She has never gotten along with Jason and they only tolerate each other. Will they be able to put their differences aside to be co-parents?

I received an ARC courtesy of The Author Agency.