The Not To Do List: A Sweet Hockey RomCom

by Viera Hope

The best way to get ahead of a scandal? Fake date the captain of the hockey team—the guy she can’t stand.

Kenna has a plan for her sophomore year of college. 1) get a job at the campus cafe 2) grow her photography account 3) stay away from hockey players.

When she checks the first item off the list, she doesn’t expect it to come with Reese Dawson being her direct supervisor. Captain of the Wentworth Ravens and the guy who ghosted her and then seems to have no recollection of her existence.

Reese has always prided himself in keeping his image clean. But when he steps in to help a friend, everything seems to snowball and suddenly he finds himself in the hot seat, loosing potential sponsorships.

When unfortunate set of events finds Reese and Kenna handcuffed together followed by a viral pictures circling, they make a he gets his image fixed up and she gets her photography account to grow. All they have to do is pretend to be madly in love.

Except the more time they spend together, the more they find that they’re not that different and maybe what started off fake isn’t so fake at all.

There’s a chance this win-win situation is more of a losing game—one where both of their hearts are on the line and no one comes out unscathed.

The Not To Do List is a closed door sweet hockey romance with a grumpy girl, a sunshine boy and a whole lot of swoony feels. If you love your romance extra sweet, with no spice, then you’ll love the first book in the Wentworth Ravens series!

Genres: Hockey

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 10, 2026

Reviews

[Hanna Sandvig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an adorable and funny read! The way that Reese really sees Kenna and doesn't give up on her honestly healed something inside me.

[Stacey T · Rating 2 out of 5]

A college hockey romance with family and relationship baggage. Kenna, a photography student, just got a job at a local coffee shop. This is great since she needs money for tuition and to help her father. She didn’t realize the jerk who stood her up also works there and is the Captain of the school hockey team. Reese is focused on playing well this season and staying on track to finish his degree. He loves hockey but isn’t sure if he will go pro and enjoys his studies in sports PT. A misinterpreted picture has led them into a contract that could benefit both. As they get to know one another, feelings begin to develop. Will past family trauma keep them from realizing that not all relationships are doomed? Sometimes love is found when you weren’t even looking.
This was a sweet, no-spice college romance that moved quickly and felt a bit rushed. There wasn’t much drama, except for the main character revisiting her past without really working through it. The male lead was a great boyfriend, but honestly, he seemed a little too perfect. The friends and teammates added some fun banter, but overall, the story felt bland compared to other hockey romances I’ve read. Since this was an ARC, I hope the grammar issues get fixed before it’s published. In the end, it just wasn’t for me—I’ve read other hockey romances that left a bigger impression. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[isis ✦ · Rating 4 out of 5]

¡Aww, esta historia fue absoluta dulzura! Es una rom-com súper ligera que se siente tal cual como un k-drama. Los protagonistas, Kenna y Reese, me parecieron un encanto total.

Aunque al principio Kenna tiene toda clase de planes (incluyendo mantenerse alejada de los jugadores de hockey, y especialmente de Reese), el destino juega en su contra y terminan trabajando juntos en la misma cafetería 😹. Es precioso ver cómo, con el tiempo, ella empieza a abrirse, a descubrir las facetas de él y a permitirse ser feliz mientras gana confianza en sí misma. Su pasión por la fotografía es un detalle hermoso, al igual que la relación que tiene con su mejor amiga, Evie. Y Reese... ¡ese chico es un sol! Me encantó lo paciente que es, siempre dispuesto a escucharla y enfocado en verla sonreír. También adoré su dinámica con su equipo de hockey y el entrenador. Y amé ver cómo ambos brillan en sus pasiones (la fotografía y el hockey), pero sobre todo la ternura infinita que Reese siente por Kenna.

Sus momentos juntos me hicieron reír y sonreír como tonta; su banter era súper cálido y esa escena donde terminan esposados fue sumamente divertida y tierna. Sin duda, es un comfort book de principio a fin. ❤️‍🩹📸🏒

----------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to the author for this ARC. 🫶🏻

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a sweet fake-dating romance. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Kenna and Reese.

Kenna loves photography and spending time with her best friend, Evie. She finally gets a job at the coffee shop she’s always wanted to work at, but things get complicated when Reese starts working there too. Kenna isn’t exactly a fan of Reese because he hurt her in the past, though he has no idea he even did.

Reese is genuinely a good guy who is just trying to do his best in everything. Hockey is his sport and he’s great at it, but he can’t understand why Kenna seems to dislike him so much. When he ends up in some trouble thanks to the school’s gossip account, he asks Kenna to fake being his girlfriend. It’s supposed to help both of them, but fake dating always finds a way of getting complicated.

“Just say the word, and I’ll carry you anywhere.”


I thought this story was really cute and easy to get into. The fake dating trope is always fun, and I loved seeing their feelings start to change as they spent more time together. Watching them figure out what they truly wanted made this a really enjoyable read.


“Does that mean that you’d buy me ice cream every day if I asked for it?”  “Baby, you don’t even need to ask. I’ll stock the freezer with all your favorites.” 

SWOON

[Amanda Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Not To Do List is a cute, closed‑door hockey romance with a grumpy‑girl/sunshine‑boy dynamic that delivers plenty of sweetness. Kenna and Reese have an easy chemistry, and the fake‑dating setup—complete with a viral photo and some chaotic handcuffs—makes for a fun premise. I enjoyed the college setting, the photography angle, and the glimpses into the world of the Wentworth Ravens.

That said, it didn’t fully pull me in the way I hoped. The pacing felt uneven at times, and some emotional beats could have used a bit more depth. It’s a pleasant, low‑angst read, just not one that lingered with me after I finished.

Still, if you like your romances clean, sweet, and full of swoony moments with a golden retriever hockey captain, this is a charming start to the series—and I’m curious to see where the Ravens go next.

[Stephanie Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sweet if I had teeth I might need a dentist.

This hockey romance (my weakness) was so dang sweet and heartwarming. We have our MMC, who has some baggage from his upbringing, same as our FMC. They have met before but he doesn't know and she's got an itsy bits grudge. A magic trick gone wrong ends up in a forced proximity situation and she's forced to face her feelings. As time goes on they get closer and ...well you'll just have to wait and see!

Grouchy x Sunshine
Forced proximity
Found family
Heartwarming and understanding MMC
Scared of getting hurt again FMC
HEA
*CLEAN* No "spicy" scenes beyond kissing and hand holding. This book is just a wholesome read with 2 individuals navigating their past traumas and falling in love.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Lindsay T · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far the best hockey RomCom I have ever read! It's such a sweet and funny read.

Reese is not your typical jock main character. He isn't rude and completely full of himself. He is a breath of fresh air! Smart, caring and someone most people respect and turn to.

Kenna has not had an easy life and has only had one true person she could count on, her best friend Evie.

When Reese enters her life Kenna has to decide to either keep him at arms length or slowly learn to trust someone with her heart.

This book is filled with adorable banter, cute nicknames and overall will tug at your heart strings.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Teon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this young adult, sweet love story. Kenna is a completely self supporting college student. She has to work hard because nobody but her best friend Evie has ever had her back in life. Reese is the captain of the hockey team and has never allowed any romance in his life to distract him from hockey. Both find themselves working at the college coffee shop and there is chemistry! This sweet romance is really well written as you can see the development of not only their relationship but growth in maturity as well. These are what you want your kids to grow up and be as young adults! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nat’s Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite possibly one of the cutest hockey romances I’ve read in a while. I loved the concept of them being handcuffed together during a party. Reese was so cute and I loved how much banter he had with Kenna. I would’ve liked to see a little more from the side characters because they intrigued me so much. I would highly recommend this novel to those who like second chance romances, the fake dating trope, and the grumpy x sunshine pairing. Thank you to the author for letting me be part of this ARC.

Please note all reviews are my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got an advance readers copy.

If you like fake dating, close doors and hockey romance you’d like this.

This follows Kenna and Reese. They both have had a hard past but they don’t let the effect them. The friendship these characters had with their room mates is how friendships should be.

I liked this book. It was fun to fall in love with each of the main characters. I smiled reading this book and just wanted to read more. I like hockey romance now lol. I feel like the way these characters came together was cool. I truly liked this book and I think you will too.. (:

[Just JJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so sweet that I will need to check my teeth for cavities! I devoured this delicious little read in no time flat. Kenna and Reese are a perfect pair and I think I’m a brand new fan of HEA’s. I don’t usually read something so light, so this left me rather buoyant and hopeful. I go to my first “boy aquarium” pro hockey game tomorrow and now I’m kinda bringing “Where he at?!” Vibes with me, lol. Could have not picked a better book to pre-game!!!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

College. Girlfriends/roommate bond. Hockey. Guy/teammates bond. Then there's the college guy with a crush...on certain girl who walks into his heart.
This is what I call a hockey adjacent story. Some hockey but also a lot of photography info since Kenna is a photography major. Happy moments interspersed with family pressures created a sweet romance most likely enjoyed by a younger (or young at heart) reader.
Sweet story.

[Ashleigh Reinersman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Quintessential College Rom-Com

If you are looking for a sweet, missed connection, second chance, college romance - check out The Not To Do List! It’s an adorable story about a hockey player who thinks he’ll never find love and an ambitious photographer just trying to find her way! What they don’t expect is to find each other! I really enjoyed reading this book and it left me wanting more. I hope this isn’t the last we hear of Reese & Kenna’s story! Great job on the book, Viera!

[PS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc review💥

This was a sweet little story. I loved how they show Reese be so sweet to Kenna when she had moments of struggle from her past. I feel like we were missing something with Leo though, like he continues to tell Reese that the fake dating thing is a bad idea but I don't understand why he was so against it? Yes he knew about how Reese felt about love and relationships but this felt more like there was a bigger reason behind it that we never got told.

[Lina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun sweet closed door romance. I liked the banter between the characters especially in the beginning. The story moved a bit too slow for me. And sometimes the side characters seemed more interesting than the main characters.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kiera Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free as a book arc! I was really impressed with the writing. It was easy to follow and a quick easy read. It left me wanting to know more about these characters and the friends they have in the book! Hoping this turns into another fun hockey series!

[hey, i'm lunnie! · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an adorable story! This fake dating is simply charming, and the characters are precious. I love it, I love it! 🥹🩷