Perfect Collide: An addictive rivals-to-lovers MM hockey romance

by M.A. Lee

One reckless night with my teammate could destroy everything I’ve worked for.

Nash O'Connor: I’ve had to hide who I really am my entire life. Being hailed as the NHL's Golden Boy,I can't afford for the truth about who I am to get out. However, all of that is about to change with the addition of Leo Maverick, the NHL's most notorious troublemaker. Our on-ice rivalry has spun out of control, and now our coach is forcing us to room together during away games. Underneath our public hatred is a fierce craving neither of us can control, and it is threatening to consume us both. Our secret can't come out; it would ruin both of our careers.

Nothing gets in the way of my hockey career.

Leo
After a disastrous start to my pro-hockey career, I've been traded to more teams than I can count. Now, I'm heading to the Stallions Hockey Team, where my new teammates are less than thrilled to welcome me.
Especially our goalie, Nash.
I can't afford any more scandals, but there's something about Nash and our intense chemistry that I just can't ignore.
I’m faced with my rival and the guy I can’t stop thinking about. He sees straight through my defenses, and suddenly the life I’ve built feels dangerously fragile.
On the ice, we’re electric.
Off the ice?
That’s where the real risk begins.

Genres: Hockey, Sports

232 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 2, 2026

About the author

A longtime escapist into books, M.A. Lee began writing cozy mysteries and romances when other sources of that gold ran out. The gold nuggets of Mary Stewart, Georgette Heyer, Andre Norton, Phyllis A. Whitney, and Elizabeth Peters inspired her to write her own nuggets, even if they're only pyrite.

Look for the Into Death series, set after World War I, and the other books in the Hearts in Hazard series.

Favorite Books of all Time:
Mary Stewart's My Brother Michael.
Mary Stewart's This Rough Magic.
Georgette Heyer's Venetia.
Ellis Peters' The Virgin in Ice.
Andre Norton's Year of the Unicorn

Authors that I will recommend beyond the influences and the favorites: Dorothy L. Sayers. Tony Hillerman. Tamara Leigh. Patricia Briggs. Lindsay Buroker. Linnea Sinclair. W.R. Gingell. Agatha Christie. C.J. Cherryh.

Reviews

[ProfeSancho · Rating 3 out of 5]

M.A. Lee's "Perfect Collide" is really two books. The first half of this m/m hockey romance shows the tension between the two temperamentally distinct protagonists, Nash O'Connor and his new teammate, the appropriately named Leo Maverick, whose mutual antagonism on the ice masks their growing and soon consummated mutual attraction off the ice. The second half recounts what happens after Nash and Leo, now having what they believe is a secret affair, receive blackmail demands accompanied by evidence of their relationship. The first half, honestly, is a predictable story already told in many, many hockey romance novels, but I was glad to see the book come into sharper focus once the blackmail plot took center stage. The dilemmas that Nash and Leo face from the threat of public exposure bring a real urgency to the narrative; the two men struggle believably to get onto the same page (no pun intended) in how to handle this threat to their careers and to their relationship.

Throughout "Perfect Collide", I would have liked to see sharper characterizations of more of the supporting characters, who tended to perform their necessary plot functions without leaving much of a lingering impression once they exited the scene; I also thought the identity of the blackmailer was a bit of a letdown. In the credit column, however, one of Lee's strengths is their effective narration of hockey as played on the ice; the author has a good feel for the game that fans of the sport may appreciate. Lee puts plenty of hockey into this hockey romance, which is not always the case in this genre. Off the ice, the spice is well-executed.

With thanks to the author/publisher for access to a digital ARC on Booksprout. All opinions are very definitely my own.

[Nicole Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Reader Copy and am voluntarily reviewing it. New series alert! Nash is the goalie and he is deep in the closet. He has the best of both worlds. He is around all the men that he could ever want, but he can't tell anyone how he feels. In walks Leo. Leo is an arrogant player that exudes confidence. There is something about him that Nash can’t resist. Nash thought there was no way possible that Leo liked men. If he did, there way no way he would go for Nash, right? Still, Nash could not resist the pull. Their connection was explosive right from the first meeting. It escalated when the coach matched the together on road trips. They would be roommates.

Leo was bi. He had his eye on Nash, but was not sure if Nash was into him. Nash hid who he was well. Leo being Leo had to push the envelope. He had to push Nash. He could not resist his boyish charm. Once they got to know each other, the attraction became even harder to deny. Leo refused to let Nash push his feelings down. They both knew the risks. Was their connection worth the risk?

Of course, Ms. Lee always gives readers more than just a love story. Someone starts threatening to out both of them. In hockey, being attracted to men is not something that was talked about. It stayed behind closed doors. Now, someone was threatening to reveal a secret that could destroy both of their careers. Both Leo and Nash had some serious thinking to do. Will they put their careers on the line for love?

[Margery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nash, the goalie for the Stallions Hockey Team has a well kept secret. A new Forward Leo enters and joins the team. His past is filled with fights and the first practice, well Leo and Nash get into a drop take down fight. Threatened with benching, they have to figure how to get along. The very first game Leo is a part of is an away game. Coach has assigned room mates. Of all the players, Nash and Leo are paired up The magic that they bring to life on the ice as they work as a well oiled team, Their secret is one that has to remain secret. What it is, well, you are going to have to read the book. I will say their situation is complicated and I read on worried that their complication would resolve itself. A very heartfelt story that I enjoyed. This was my first read into this genre and I am glad I read this.

[L KQ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Temporary Roommate

Nash and Leo may collide on the ice but the tension between them is undeniable. When they are paired as roommates the situation between them heats up which was I found entertaining. Within the plot was a little bit of suspense and drama that moved the story forward. It was a fun read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shelle Pennington · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF