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IceHawks #2
Fighting Chance
Two broken souls and a spark that can't be ignored.
Famous hockey player Kieran Ashford is the NHL's favorite headline, but when his reputation catches up to him in the form of a surprise phone call and a mute three-year-old daughter he didn't know existed, Kieran is suddenly thrown into the depths of fatherhood. Now, at least, the quick-witted book addict has something she can't say no to—a job offer.
Because Layla Carson needs a paycheck. After spending over a year in Berlin participating in a clinical trial for her lupus, Layla is painfully aware of how her medical bills have drained her parents' bank account. When the opportunity arises to become a nanny, Layla can't refuse.
As the pair help build a home for the little girl who desperately needs them both, the walls around their hearts begin to crumble. Layla learns there's more to Kieran than the flirtatious winks and playful personality, while he's determined to show her more beyond her temporary reality.
But when forever was never guaranteed for either of them, they'll need to fight for the chance of a new life.
Famous hockey player Kieran Ashford is the NHL's favorite headline, but when his reputation catches up to him in the form of a surprise phone call and a mute three-year-old daughter he didn't know existed, Kieran is suddenly thrown into the depths of fatherhood. Now, at least, the quick-witted book addict has something she can't say no to—a job offer.
Because Layla Carson needs a paycheck. After spending over a year in Berlin participating in a clinical trial for her lupus, Layla is painfully aware of how her medical bills have drained her parents' bank account. When the opportunity arises to become a nanny, Layla can't refuse.
As the pair help build a home for the little girl who desperately needs them both, the walls around their hearts begin to crumble. Layla learns there's more to Kieran than the flirtatious winks and playful personality, while he's determined to show her more beyond her temporary reality.
But when forever was never guaranteed for either of them, they'll need to fight for the chance of a new life.
494 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2026
About the author
Mads Rafferty
7 books3,236 followersNever in a million years would I have thought my life would look like what it does today. If I told my younger self that I not only love to read but that I write books for a living … well let’s just say we would be attending her funeral. Books will forever hold a special place in my heart. At the age of nineteen, I immersed myself in the world of fiction and was lucky enough to be dragged out of a dark abyss. Books have been there for me through thick and thin, helping shape the person I am today and I hope for some, my books will do the same. In whatever capacity that may be.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,055 reviews
April 6, 2026
💚🏒Fighting Chance ~ four stars🏒💚
"She is a soul that I will search for in every lifetime, one that I will cherish and love for eternity because she's special, so incredibly special. I know she's the one."
I’ve been waiting since August to read Kieran & Layla’s book (I’m still waiting/longing for Theo’s👀)! I loved the small glimpse of Layla we got in “Breaking Point”. Again, I adored the characters, plot, and writing. Mads is absolutely made for wringing rom com’s and I can’t wait to read every one of them.
”I'd rather crash and burn than never live at all.”
📖key scenes to look forward to:
—> Layla’s life list
—>Kieran reading
—>tile connection
—>chasing and catching dreams
—>he builds (for his girls)
—>group chats
—>Grayson and Bella (and rest of IceHawk team)
”Trying to ingrain yourself in my brain, Ashford?"
"Seems only fair considering you take up all the space in mine."
🏒tropes:
—>single dad x nanny
—>slow burn
—>found family
—>peak yearning and pining
—>chronic illness rep
—>anxiety/panic attack reps
(trigger warnings include in author’s note before reading)
”You're my favourite book to read. Even if some chapters are missing, I know them by heart."
Kieran Ashford only has eyes for one woman. The problem? She just won’t give him the time of the day. Or at least he thought that was his only problem until a foster care calls him with news, he has a daughter. Oh, and he’s her sole guardian now. So he does the most reasonable thing. Buys a house, in just a few hours. Problem one✔️ Problem two? Everything else, and Layla just might be the solution to all of them.
Layla Carson wants nothing to do with Kieran, the shameless flirt. But when she meets Emmy, his three year old daughter, her mind changes. Just a little bit. Plus she really does need a job. What could go wrong?
”And I still stand by what I said the day we met." "Which part? You talked my ear off, Ashford."
“That I'm going to marry you."
"She is a soul that I will search for in every lifetime, one that I will cherish and love for eternity because she's special, so incredibly special. I know she's the one."
I’ve been waiting since August to read Kieran & Layla’s book (I’m still waiting/longing for Theo’s👀)! I loved the small glimpse of Layla we got in “Breaking Point”. Again, I adored the characters, plot, and writing. Mads is absolutely made for wringing rom com’s and I can’t wait to read every one of them.
”I'd rather crash and burn than never live at all.”
📖key scenes to look forward to:
—> Layla’s life list
—>Kieran reading
—>tile connection
—>chasing and catching dreams
—>he builds (for his girls)
—>group chats
—>Grayson and Bella (and rest of IceHawk team)
”Trying to ingrain yourself in my brain, Ashford?"
"Seems only fair considering you take up all the space in mine."
🏒tropes:
—>single dad x nanny
—>slow burn
—>found family
—>peak yearning and pining
—>chronic illness rep
—>anxiety/panic attack reps
(trigger warnings include in author’s note before reading)
”You're my favourite book to read. Even if some chapters are missing, I know them by heart."
Kieran Ashford only has eyes for one woman. The problem? She just won’t give him the time of the day. Or at least he thought that was his only problem until a foster care calls him with news, he has a daughter. Oh, and he’s her sole guardian now. So he does the most reasonable thing. Buys a house, in just a few hours. Problem one✔️ Problem two? Everything else, and Layla just might be the solution to all of them.
Layla Carson wants nothing to do with Kieran, the shameless flirt. But when she meets Emmy, his three year old daughter, her mind changes. Just a little bit. Plus she really does need a job. What could go wrong?
”And I still stand by what I said the day we met." "Which part? You talked my ear off, Ashford."
“That I'm going to marry you."
June 18, 2026
I see the vision for this, I really do, but the execution? Well, let‘s say, I was fighting my way through this book, stuck between boredom and the urge to finish.
Compared to the first book, Breaking Point, which I truly liked, this one just didn‘t hit the same way. Of course I had expectations. After such a strong start, I thought it would stay that way. But here, just something was missing. So let me try to unpack this book and my feelings about it because I genuinely need to figure out myself what exactly didn’t click for me.
𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀
Starting off strong, with our MMC; 𝗞𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝘀𝗵𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱. I really liked him, no flaws. Expect all his traumas, but I don’t think that counts (wait, before you judge, we'll come to that later). He was so caring, supportive and did everything for the ones he loved and his humour was great as well. And the perfect book boyfriend for buying her books and doing stuff like that.
But still, something didn‘t work for me. I don‘t know what, but can we also talk about the fact that we‘re ending this book with him not having healed?!?! Like about that aspect, he just says „I know I should see a therapist, but I don‘t feel ready for that now“.
Like, I‘m unbelievably grateful that I didn‘t live through things like he did, and I don‘t want to trigger any victims of those traumas, but please just go to the therapist. Or would you, Kieran, rather live with your nightmares about your mother using you as „payment“ for her drug dealer? (I‘m sorry, this was a spoiler, but I just wanted to show my point). And then there were just a bunch of other traumas thrown at him. I know that sadly, such things happen, and I find it really good and important that abuse in foster care is a theme, but here, it just was so much, and we didn‘t even talk about it.
Moving on to our FMC; 𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻. She starts working as a nanny for Kieran and Emmy (more about her later), when she returns from her lupus treatment trip in Berlin. But wait—later, she and her boss, the manwhore (his friends said it, not me)(who‘s been obsessing over his bestfriends‘ girlfriends‘ bestfriend for two years, not to forget mentioning (so he obviously slept with no one during that time, duh)), have a deal so he can teach her, since she‘s feeling left out that she‘s still a virgin due her illness. We all know where this goes. And of course, I loved the lupus aspect, considering that rare diseases aren’t discussed nearly enough. But her low self-respect because of her disease PAIRED with that trope, was always meant for miscommunication… But let‘s talk more about her personality. Layla was often described as a warm, pure and gentle person, and I totally see that. She was like a perfect fmc, but here something didn‘t convince me as well. I‘m just not sure what.
Now, let‘s talk about 𝗘𝗺𝗺𝘆, 𝗞𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻‘𝘀 three year old 𝗱𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿, he finds about one day, and suddenly, his whole life is changed.
Okay, before you hate on me; I know. That IS a life changing situation, and I don‘t want to underestimate that. But Kieran just changed EVERYTHING in one day (like it would've not even suprised me if he had changed his name and would've move to another country so Emmy could live more privately). I don‘t know if that‘s just me, but that and how they sometimes felt and thought about it just was a tiny bit weird. But here we just talked about her role, now let’s talk about personality. Emmy was such a cute kid, warm and gentle and pure, just like Emmy. And open minded (I mean, like not in the beginning, but for her trauma veryyy early). And there is the mistake. I mean, the author's mistake. It was not realistic, in my opinion. First, that thing about how open minded she was despite her trauma, but also, it felt like the author hasn’t spent much time with 3 year olds. Mads Rafferty, I love some things you write, but NO FUCKING THREE YEAR OLD READS. There was one scene where Layla and her were sitting in a reading chair and they literally said something like that: „I read my book and Emmy her’s, and sometimes, she said the words she liked out loud“. … What do you mean. No. At least SHE got therapy. Another thing some readers thought was a negative aspect about her, was that she didn‘t speak THAT rarely, despite the blurb making it seem as she speaks never. And even though I think they have a point, I also feel like that‘s kind of the advertising‘s fault. Personally, it wasn‘t much of a problem, but it would‘ve been less problematic, if they would've just made clear the blurb says she speaks rarely, not not at all.
𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲
Even their smallest interactions felt kinda meaningful. But, for the „perfect“ romance, I compare some books to the right move by liz tomforde (if you know you know), and this didn‘t reach it in miles. I know it‘s mean to compare two authors, but I‘m not trying to compare the authors, I‘m comparing the romance aspect and what it made me feel. And I somehow liked the romance, but it developed so quickly. They were so supportive and, I mean, I liked the romance, but I didn’t really FEEL it. We had enough scenes of actual bonding, but due to the part that it was no slow burn, it felt like their relationship didn’t develop as naturally over time as I would have liked to see. I mean I love a yearning man, but I also love to see two characters falling in love a bit every day, especially when they live together, like here, with the nanny trope. And it feels like Mads Rafferty tried to capture this „they fell in love every day a bit more“, but I still would‘ve liked more proof somehow.
𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆
I actually enjoyed the found family aspect. I loved how Kieran told Emmy multiple times that family is not just by blood, but there were also actions that showed it. It was nice how the team showed up and Grayson's and Layla's parents as well.
𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁
I‘d also like to write about the ice hockey aspect. There were games, but mostly, we just saw Kieran fighting with someone. He repeatedly said ice hockey was his passion, but I would‘ve liked seeing him playing as a hobby, and not as a job.
𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 / 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 / 𝗿𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱?
Yes, unfortunately, the story line here felt rushed. We got 450 pages, but the first 20 pages were already a problem. Suddenly, we are thrown at the characters‘ lives being completely changed, and everything happens way too fast to build an emotional connection.
The last 60 pages felt kind of rushed as well, with things needing to be done that weren‘t done.
I also feel like some parts in the middle could’ve been shortened a bit. Just repetitive things.
I don‘t know, I just think that the 450 pages could‘ve been used better.
𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲
It was generally easy to read and not overly complicated. However, there were moments where the pacing of the writing itself felt a bit dragged out because certain ideas or interactions were repeated in slightly different ways. It didn’t necessarily ruin the reading experience, but it did make some sections feel less engaging than others.
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 → 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁
Let‘s do a little Q&A:
Q: Bingeable? A: At times, but mostly I had to force myself to keep reading. Definitely not a one-sitting read for me.
Q: Wall staring moments? Were you emotionally invested? A: Sadly not the way I would‘ve liked it. There were some emotional moments, but they didn‘t hit the way I would‘ve wished, considering I didn‘t build that emotional connection in the beginning.
Q: Will you read the next book in the series? A: I think so, yes. Simply because I like the author's writing too much to avoid it. I just hope the next time she uses the pages differently. I also hope the next book will be about Valenti and Ellington‘s sister.
Finally, all can say that this book and me sadly didn‘t work out the way I dreamed of. I enjoyed the concept, but some things just did not work out for me like that.
𝗪𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁? This one, I sadly don‘t know. The first one was better for me, and if you‘re looking for an ice hockey romance, that one could be for you. I just sadly wouldn't really recommend this book.
Until then; bye!! I hope I could share my opinion with you in a good way and see you soon!! thanks for reading <33
Compared to the first book, Breaking Point, which I truly liked, this one just didn‘t hit the same way. Of course I had expectations. After such a strong start, I thought it would stay that way. But here, just something was missing. So let me try to unpack this book and my feelings about it because I genuinely need to figure out myself what exactly didn’t click for me.
𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀
Starting off strong, with our MMC; 𝗞𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝘀𝗵𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱. I really liked him, no flaws. Expect all his traumas, but I don’t think that counts (wait, before you judge, we'll come to that later). He was so caring, supportive and did everything for the ones he loved and his humour was great as well. And the perfect book boyfriend for buying her books and doing stuff like that.
But still, something didn‘t work for me. I don‘t know what, but can we also talk about the fact that we‘re ending this book with him not having healed?!?! Like about that aspect, he just says „I know I should see a therapist, but I don‘t feel ready for that now“.
Like, I‘m unbelievably grateful that I didn‘t live through things like he did, and I don‘t want to trigger any victims of those traumas, but please just go to the therapist. Or would you, Kieran, rather live with your nightmares about your mother using you as „payment“ for her drug dealer? (I‘m sorry, this was a spoiler, but I just wanted to show my point). And then there were just a bunch of other traumas thrown at him. I know that sadly, such things happen, and I find it really good and important that abuse in foster care is a theme, but here, it just was so much, and we didn‘t even talk about it.
Moving on to our FMC; 𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻. She starts working as a nanny for Kieran and Emmy (more about her later), when she returns from her lupus treatment trip in Berlin. But wait—later, she and her boss, the manwhore (his friends said it, not me)(who‘s been obsessing over his bestfriends‘ girlfriends‘ bestfriend for two years, not to forget mentioning (so he obviously slept with no one during that time, duh)), have a deal so he can teach her, since she‘s feeling left out that she‘s still a virgin due her illness. We all know where this goes. And of course, I loved the lupus aspect, considering that rare diseases aren’t discussed nearly enough. But her low self-respect because of her disease PAIRED with that trope, was always meant for miscommunication… But let‘s talk more about her personality. Layla was often described as a warm, pure and gentle person, and I totally see that. She was like a perfect fmc, but here something didn‘t convince me as well. I‘m just not sure what.
Now, let‘s talk about 𝗘𝗺𝗺𝘆, 𝗞𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻‘𝘀 three year old 𝗱𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿, he finds about one day, and suddenly, his whole life is changed.
Okay, before you hate on me; I know. That IS a life changing situation, and I don‘t want to underestimate that. But Kieran just changed EVERYTHING in one day (like it would've not even suprised me if he had changed his name and would've move to another country so Emmy could live more privately). I don‘t know if that‘s just me, but that and how they sometimes felt and thought about it just was a tiny bit weird. But here we just talked about her role, now let’s talk about personality. Emmy was such a cute kid, warm and gentle and pure, just like Emmy. And open minded (I mean, like not in the beginning, but for her trauma veryyy early). And there is the mistake. I mean, the author's mistake. It was not realistic, in my opinion. First, that thing about how open minded she was despite her trauma, but also, it felt like the author hasn’t spent much time with 3 year olds. Mads Rafferty, I love some things you write, but NO FUCKING THREE YEAR OLD READS. There was one scene where Layla and her were sitting in a reading chair and they literally said something like that: „I read my book and Emmy her’s, and sometimes, she said the words she liked out loud“. … What do you mean. No. At least SHE got therapy. Another thing some readers thought was a negative aspect about her, was that she didn‘t speak THAT rarely, despite the blurb making it seem as she speaks never. And even though I think they have a point, I also feel like that‘s kind of the advertising‘s fault. Personally, it wasn‘t much of a problem, but it would‘ve been less problematic, if they would've just made clear the blurb says she speaks rarely, not not at all.
𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲
Even their smallest interactions felt kinda meaningful. But, for the „perfect“ romance, I compare some books to the right move by liz tomforde (if you know you know), and this didn‘t reach it in miles. I know it‘s mean to compare two authors, but I‘m not trying to compare the authors, I‘m comparing the romance aspect and what it made me feel. And I somehow liked the romance, but it developed so quickly. They were so supportive and, I mean, I liked the romance, but I didn’t really FEEL it. We had enough scenes of actual bonding, but due to the part that it was no slow burn, it felt like their relationship didn’t develop as naturally over time as I would have liked to see. I mean I love a yearning man, but I also love to see two characters falling in love a bit every day, especially when they live together, like here, with the nanny trope. And it feels like Mads Rafferty tried to capture this „they fell in love every day a bit more“, but I still would‘ve liked more proof somehow.
𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆
I actually enjoyed the found family aspect. I loved how Kieran told Emmy multiple times that family is not just by blood, but there were also actions that showed it. It was nice how the team showed up and Grayson's and Layla's parents as well.
𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁
I‘d also like to write about the ice hockey aspect. There were games, but mostly, we just saw Kieran fighting with someone. He repeatedly said ice hockey was his passion, but I would‘ve liked seeing him playing as a hobby, and not as a job.
𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 / 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 / 𝗿𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱?
Yes, unfortunately, the story line here felt rushed. We got 450 pages, but the first 20 pages were already a problem. Suddenly, we are thrown at the characters‘ lives being completely changed, and everything happens way too fast to build an emotional connection.
The last 60 pages felt kind of rushed as well, with things needing to be done that weren‘t done.
I also feel like some parts in the middle could’ve been shortened a bit. Just repetitive things.
I don‘t know, I just think that the 450 pages could‘ve been used better.
𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲
It was generally easy to read and not overly complicated. However, there were moments where the pacing of the writing itself felt a bit dragged out because certain ideas or interactions were repeated in slightly different ways. It didn’t necessarily ruin the reading experience, but it did make some sections feel less engaging than others.
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 → 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁
Let‘s do a little Q&A:
Q: Bingeable? A: At times, but mostly I had to force myself to keep reading. Definitely not a one-sitting read for me.
Q: Wall staring moments? Were you emotionally invested? A: Sadly not the way I would‘ve liked it. There were some emotional moments, but they didn‘t hit the way I would‘ve wished, considering I didn‘t build that emotional connection in the beginning.
Q: Will you read the next book in the series? A: I think so, yes. Simply because I like the author's writing too much to avoid it. I just hope the next time she uses the pages differently. I also hope the next book will be about Valenti and Ellington‘s sister.
Finally, all can say that this book and me sadly didn‘t work out the way I dreamed of. I enjoyed the concept, but some things just did not work out for me like that.
𝗪𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁? This one, I sadly don‘t know. The first one was better for me, and if you‘re looking for an ice hockey romance, that one could be for you. I just sadly wouldn't really recommend this book.
Until then; bye!! I hope I could share my opinion with you in a good way and see you soon!! thanks for reading <33
Read
April 1, 2026ੈ✩‧₊˚Rating*ੈ✩‧₊˚
5/5 Stars
💭 Thoughts-
-ˋˏ✄┈┈Not him texting her for almost 2 years without a single response and her thinking it was all fake and just because she said no to him, but in reality he´s utterly obsessed with her 🤭
-ˋˏ✄┈┈And not her struggling all her life with a chronic illness some doctors don´t belive in and just wanting a family, but doesn´t know if she even can, and then instantly loving his long lost daughter 🥲, aaand subsequently her boss
・┆✦ʚ¨I don´t just love her. I am madly, deeply, and undeniably in love with Layla.¨ɞ✦ ┆・
5/5 Stars
💭 Thoughts-
-ˋˏ✄┈┈Not him texting her for almost 2 years without a single response and her thinking it was all fake and just because she said no to him, but in reality he´s utterly obsessed with her 🤭
-ˋˏ✄┈┈And not her struggling all her life with a chronic illness some doctors don´t belive in and just wanting a family, but doesn´t know if she even can, and then instantly loving his long lost daughter 🥲, aaand subsequently her boss
・┆✦ʚ¨I don´t just love her. I am madly, deeply, and undeniably in love with Layla.¨ɞ✦ ┆・
May 11, 2026
-ˏˋ₊˚ 4 stars ₊⊹
⌇• i finished this quite a while ago but i hadd sooooo much fun tbh more than the first!!
⤿ review tbd
⌇• i finished this quite a while ago but i hadd sooooo much fun tbh more than the first!!
⤿ review tbd
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC READ:
(make sure you read the author’s note for trigger warnings!!)
When a book makes me tear up in the first freaking chapter (I mean it, I was only 2% in) I know it’s about to get GOOD.
Let’s start with the ultimate book boyfriend. The 10/10 mmc. Thanks Madz, you know how to write them.
Welcome Kieran, a new Isaiah Rhodes coded character. My god, what a man. WHAT A MAAAAN.
The yearning, the pining, the obsession, the pure LOVE, he has for Layla had me on my knees, kicking my feet, screaming and smiling like he was loving ME instead, I wish.
I mean, I knew I was going to love this since he started flirting with her in Breaking Point, but it still managed to surprise me how much I loved him and this couple. The things he did for her….. 👏
He’s a playboy, golden retriever, who makes everyone laugh, but deep down he has so many feelings and a dark past. yummy. I couldn’t love him MORE. Then he got a DAUGHTER! PLEEAAAASEEEE. they were so sweet 😭😭😭
His friendship with Grayson was something else I loved so much. The found family in this book is very special. And watching him building his relationship with Emmy and figuring out how to be a parent was so nice.
EMMY IS THE CUTEST KID EVEEEEEEEER!!!
And Layla. My baby. She’s such a good friend. And she’s so sweet, from the first book I knew I loved her, but being in her mind was a roller coaster of emotions. She’s been through so much. Madz definitely know how to write characters with deep emotional depth, while also making them so strong and inspiring. I loved her so much.
I did wanted to shake her sometimes and yell at her “THAT MAN LOVES YOUUUUUUU WAKE UP” but I understand her insecurities too much lol it makes her feel even more real, and I love when that happens.
𓂃˖˳·☾ “You wouldn’t know it when you meet Layla—the kindness that is so ingrained in her is disarming—but beneath it, there’s a type of spark that only a survivor has.”
𓂃˖˳·☾ “She’s an angel at her core, and I’m nothing but the boy no one ever wanted.”
And they were so funny together. Funny and sweet and emotional too. They had so much chemistry, the banter was fun, the dialogue between them was always entertaining, when it wasn’t making me cry, it was making me smile until my cheeks were hurting. The understanding, the devotion, the gentleness, everything about them made me cry.
And cry I DID. AGAIN. This book made me cry so much. I need Madz to pay for my therapy, actually.
She does know how to write an emotional story, with so much depth and such important topics. I can’t wait for the next books in this series. The men she’s creating is out of this world so of course they’re not real, but they are real to me in my dreams.
ugh, Madz’s MMCs with their acts of service!!!!!! I feel like I’m in heaven reading it.
𓂃˖˳·☾ "You're more than just my nanny, Layla."
You're so much more, I want to whisper. You're everything to me.
xx
(make sure you read the author’s note for trigger warnings!!)
When a book makes me tear up in the first freaking chapter (I mean it, I was only 2% in) I know it’s about to get GOOD.
Let’s start with the ultimate book boyfriend. The 10/10 mmc. Thanks Madz, you know how to write them.
Welcome Kieran, a new Isaiah Rhodes coded character. My god, what a man. WHAT A MAAAAN.
The yearning, the pining, the obsession, the pure LOVE, he has for Layla had me on my knees, kicking my feet, screaming and smiling like he was loving ME instead, I wish.
I mean, I knew I was going to love this since he started flirting with her in Breaking Point, but it still managed to surprise me how much I loved him and this couple. The things he did for her….. 👏
He’s a playboy, golden retriever, who makes everyone laugh, but deep down he has so many feelings and a dark past. yummy. I couldn’t love him MORE. Then he got a DAUGHTER! PLEEAAAASEEEE. they were so sweet 😭😭😭
His friendship with Grayson was something else I loved so much. The found family in this book is very special. And watching him building his relationship with Emmy and figuring out how to be a parent was so nice.
EMMY IS THE CUTEST KID EVEEEEEEEER!!!
And Layla. My baby. She’s such a good friend. And she’s so sweet, from the first book I knew I loved her, but being in her mind was a roller coaster of emotions. She’s been through so much. Madz definitely know how to write characters with deep emotional depth, while also making them so strong and inspiring. I loved her so much.
I did wanted to shake her sometimes and yell at her “THAT MAN LOVES YOUUUUUUU WAKE UP” but I understand her insecurities too much lol it makes her feel even more real, and I love when that happens.
𓂃˖˳·☾ “You wouldn’t know it when you meet Layla—the kindness that is so ingrained in her is disarming—but beneath it, there’s a type of spark that only a survivor has.”
𓂃˖˳·☾ “She’s an angel at her core, and I’m nothing but the boy no one ever wanted.”
And they were so funny together. Funny and sweet and emotional too. They had so much chemistry, the banter was fun, the dialogue between them was always entertaining, when it wasn’t making me cry, it was making me smile until my cheeks were hurting. The understanding, the devotion, the gentleness, everything about them made me cry.
And cry I DID. AGAIN. This book made me cry so much. I need Madz to pay for my therapy, actually.
She does know how to write an emotional story, with so much depth and such important topics. I can’t wait for the next books in this series. The men she’s creating is out of this world so of course they’re not real, but they are real to me in my dreams.
ugh, Madz’s MMCs with their acts of service!!!!!! I feel like I’m in heaven reading it.
𓂃˖˳·☾ "You're more than just my nanny, Layla."
You're so much more, I want to whisper. You're everything to me.
xx
May 31, 2026
★★★★★
oh my goodness gracious. books like this remind me so much of why i’m in love with reading. this was my first five star of 2026 yippe!! this book was just so beautifully written, i highlighted so many poetic quotes from the mmc alone it’s crazy. i felt this story so much emotionally and that’s my favorite feeling to have it books, to feel connected to the plot and to find myself in the charters. this book was so much better than the first one, i have to say. this was my first time reading a single dad trope and kind of just a dad trope alone and.. 😏😏😏. let’s just say i fell in love with this man immediately.
oh my goodness gracious. books like this remind me so much of why i’m in love with reading. this was my first five star of 2026 yippe!! this book was just so beautifully written, i highlighted so many poetic quotes from the mmc alone it’s crazy. i felt this story so much emotionally and that’s my favorite feeling to have it books, to feel connected to the plot and to find myself in the charters. this book was so much better than the first one, i have to say. this was my first time reading a single dad trope and kind of just a dad trope alone and.. 😏😏😏. let’s just say i fell in love with this man immediately.
April 11, 2026
Omfg im only 50% done with this book and im already tired of this dense ass bitch. Like, ITS SO FUCKING OBVIOUS THE MAN LIKES YOU. She genuinely pisses me. Her and her friends. Why is everyone so noisy. Dont even get me started on HIM. Like omg, how are you an almost 30 year old man and still acting like a teen boy? Honestly, it makes sense why she doesn’t believe he actually likes her. He’s so immature. Also, he is a freshly new dad yet his focus isn’t completely on his child. Idk it might js be my opinion, but i feel as though he should be spending way more time with his daughter instead of focusing on wtv this whole situation is. I really can’t believe that the characters are actual grown adults. Everyone in this book is so immature. Why are full grown adults acting like teens?
April 5, 2026
4.5☆
talk about ripping my heart out, stomping on it, and then piecing it back together once you're done. that's exactly the excruciating pain i felt reading this, but i loved every single second of it.
——— ⋆. 𐙚 ˚ ———
kieran ashford, this man deserves absolutely everything. he deserves the world. he didn't deserve what was handed to him and the childhood that he lived, no kid deserves that and no one should go through what he's gone through. hearing more and more pieces of the life that he lived as a kid broke my heart. seeing him find the family that he did, find the love that he deserved, and then give that back to those he loved most tenfold, especially his precious little girl, was the most beautiful thing. this man is caring, thoughtful, giving, selfless, and one of the most beautiful beings i have ever read about.
my queen, layla carson, i see so much of myself in you. the pain that she has endured in her lifetime, no one deserves that either. holding herself back and being afraid to live the life she truly wants, afraid to go after what she really wants, because she feels like a burden, was so heartbreaking. nothing felt better than knowing she found medication that was working for her and she was able to really live and do things she wanted, with the person she loved most. my heart broke for her every single time she felt like she was relapsing.
the relationship that kieran built with emmy, this man was built for the role of a father. giving her everything he wasn't given in his life, creating a safe space for her, and showing her what love really is, was everything. emmy was the most precious little girl and seeing her come out of her shell was so precious. seeing her find her voice, seeing her feel safe enough to speak, after everything she went through, made me sob.
kieran and layla were everything. she was sunshine and kindness with everyone else, but kieran brought out her spicy side and he brought out the firecracker in her. he only saw that side of her and that made it all the more beautiful. these two are perfect for one another, these two are two halves that created a whole. i can't think of a more better suited couple than the two of them.
mads is so talented and her writing genuinely just draws you in, pulls you in, makes you feel like you are one with the story. i cannot wait for book 3.
talk about ripping my heart out, stomping on it, and then piecing it back together once you're done. that's exactly the excruciating pain i felt reading this, but i loved every single second of it.
——— ⋆. 𐙚 ˚ ———
kieran ashford, this man deserves absolutely everything. he deserves the world. he didn't deserve what was handed to him and the childhood that he lived, no kid deserves that and no one should go through what he's gone through. hearing more and more pieces of the life that he lived as a kid broke my heart. seeing him find the family that he did, find the love that he deserved, and then give that back to those he loved most tenfold, especially his precious little girl, was the most beautiful thing. this man is caring, thoughtful, giving, selfless, and one of the most beautiful beings i have ever read about.
my queen, layla carson, i see so much of myself in you. the pain that she has endured in her lifetime, no one deserves that either. holding herself back and being afraid to live the life she truly wants, afraid to go after what she really wants, because she feels like a burden, was so heartbreaking. nothing felt better than knowing she found medication that was working for her and she was able to really live and do things she wanted, with the person she loved most. my heart broke for her every single time she felt like she was relapsing.
the relationship that kieran built with emmy, this man was built for the role of a father. giving her everything he wasn't given in his life, creating a safe space for her, and showing her what love really is, was everything. emmy was the most precious little girl and seeing her come out of her shell was so precious. seeing her find her voice, seeing her feel safe enough to speak, after everything she went through, made me sob.
kieran and layla were everything. she was sunshine and kindness with everyone else, but kieran brought out her spicy side and he brought out the firecracker in her. he only saw that side of her and that made it all the more beautiful. these two are perfect for one another, these two are two halves that created a whole. i can't think of a more better suited couple than the two of them.
mads is so talented and her writing genuinely just draws you in, pulls you in, makes you feel like you are one with the story. i cannot wait for book 3.
April 7, 2026
3.75⭐️
Little Emmy stole my heart 🥺 I enjoyed this story a lot! Did we also get a little, low key, super subtle teaser of which couple we will have in book 3 or was it just my imagination? 👀
Little Emmy stole my heart 🥺 I enjoyed this story a lot! Did we also get a little, low key, super subtle teaser of which couple we will have in book 3 or was it just my imagination? 👀
April 12, 2026
3.5 rounded up
Mads Rafferty has done it again by giving us a book that rips u apart to shreds. Kieran Ashford has been down bad for her for over a year as Layla moves to berlin for a lupus drug trial. He laters finds out that he has a daughter he didn’t know about and is struggling to meet ends meet as he hires Layla to be her nanny and then the rest was history. The one thing I will always appreciate about Mads’s writing is that ability to handle such deep topics with so much gentleness. I definitely recommend reading the trigger warnings before you pick up this book because it deals with really heavy topics for basically all the characters. But the way the trauma is shown even in the smallest actions that some wouldn’t even think about if they hadn’t gone through the situation themselves speaks volumes on how good the author is with writing emotions and healing. Honestly I wouldn’t even recommend this as a hockey romance given that the hockey was a more of a micro-trope. One small thing that I loved is the fact that she didn’t like being called which ik is so stupid but I’m so done of a ginger being nicknamed red. I also loved how the trauma from book 1 wasn’t disregarded just because their book end and I loved every moment the couple came.
The things I didn’t like:
Sometimes the story felt either slow or fast. The amount of times the mmc winked irked me that I started ignoring it if I’m being honest but outside of that the mmc was such a lovable character.
The mmc is the man every reader would want. It’s more of a heavier read yet at the same time was balanced with joy and comedy throughout the pages. I really can’t wait for the next book just by the small snippets we got throughout this book.
Mads Rafferty has done it again by giving us a book that rips u apart to shreds. Kieran Ashford has been down bad for her for over a year as Layla moves to berlin for a lupus drug trial. He laters finds out that he has a daughter he didn’t know about and is struggling to meet ends meet as he hires Layla to be her nanny and then the rest was history. The one thing I will always appreciate about Mads’s writing is that ability to handle such deep topics with so much gentleness. I definitely recommend reading the trigger warnings before you pick up this book because it deals with really heavy topics for basically all the characters. But the way the trauma is shown even in the smallest actions that some wouldn’t even think about if they hadn’t gone through the situation themselves speaks volumes on how good the author is with writing emotions and healing. Honestly I wouldn’t even recommend this as a hockey romance given that the hockey was a more of a micro-trope. One small thing that I loved is the fact that she didn’t like being called which ik is so stupid but I’m so done of a ginger being nicknamed red. I also loved how the trauma from book 1 wasn’t disregarded just because their book end and I loved every moment the couple came.
The things I didn’t like:
Sometimes the story felt either slow or fast. The amount of times the mmc winked irked me that I started ignoring it if I’m being honest but outside of that the mmc was such a lovable character.
The mmc is the man every reader would want. It’s more of a heavier read yet at the same time was balanced with joy and comedy throughout the pages. I really can’t wait for the next book just by the small snippets we got throughout this book.
April 5, 2026
⭐️ 2.75
This did not need nearly 500 pages…
This did not need nearly 500 pages…
May 1, 2026
It feels like a wattpad story written by a 13yo.
April 6, 2026
i really enjoyed breaking point and thought this was going to be at a similar level, but somehow it was even better 😭
kieran and layla's story is such an emotional one. i had both happy and sad tears in my eyes for the entirety of the book.
firstly, kieran!! your honour, i LOVE HIM. from the outside, he appears to be your typical golden retriever. and don’t get me wrong, he had me laughing and smiling so hard with his playful personality and witty lines. but i was absolutely heartbroken at discovering what he went through as a child, as it was yet another case of adults failing the ones they're supposed to protect. i’m so happy he found his family with the crawfords and the ice hawks, because he deserves ALL the love. seeing him step into his role as a father to emmy and trying to give her the childhood he never had was so incredibly heartwarming.
i loved layla as our fmc — she’s so strong and resilient. the way she carries the trauma of being chronically ill while still showing up for the people she loves made me admire her so much. i just wanted things to finally go right for her 🥲
they had such great chemistry together. i love when the mmc falls harder, and i was most definitely swooning over his efforts to win her over. the tension between them was almost painful, but the payoff was so worth it 🙂↕️ i also loved how they understood each other without needing to say everything out loud.
all in all, this book really balanced the romance with the heavier themes so well. the emotional depth, yearning, found family, and group chats (🤭) were some of my favourite parts. i was completely hooked from start to finish and couldn’t put it down.
now, i can’t wait to see what’s next in the series (o'connor or valenti’s story, perhaps? 👀)
kieran and layla's story is such an emotional one. i had both happy and sad tears in my eyes for the entirety of the book.
firstly, kieran!! your honour, i LOVE HIM. from the outside, he appears to be your typical golden retriever. and don’t get me wrong, he had me laughing and smiling so hard with his playful personality and witty lines. but i was absolutely heartbroken at discovering what he went through as a child, as it was yet another case of adults failing the ones they're supposed to protect. i’m so happy he found his family with the crawfords and the ice hawks, because he deserves ALL the love. seeing him step into his role as a father to emmy and trying to give her the childhood he never had was so incredibly heartwarming.
i loved layla as our fmc — she’s so strong and resilient. the way she carries the trauma of being chronically ill while still showing up for the people she loves made me admire her so much. i just wanted things to finally go right for her 🥲
they had such great chemistry together. i love when the mmc falls harder, and i was most definitely swooning over his efforts to win her over. the tension between them was almost painful, but the payoff was so worth it 🙂↕️ i also loved how they understood each other without needing to say everything out loud.
all in all, this book really balanced the romance with the heavier themes so well. the emotional depth, yearning, found family, and group chats (🤭) were some of my favourite parts. i was completely hooked from start to finish and couldn’t put it down.
now, i can’t wait to see what’s next in the series (o'connor or valenti’s story, perhaps? 👀)
June 17, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ 1.5 🌶️ 3.5 🖤
Every time this man opened his mouth I swooned.
Every time he flipped his cap backwards I also swooned.
His interactions with his daughter. SWOONED.
This story was so beautiful, it had me from chapter one. Page 2. Sweet Kieran, his story was my story. The author did an amazing job of capturing the heavy issues in this book.
THE BANTER WAS 6 STARS.
Same as the first book. These have so much joy, and hope. No matter what life throws at you, healing is possible. Being a good person is a choice.
I normally don’t love the virgin / teach me trope as I love a confident baddie FMC, but Layla was amazing, she was strong and snarky.
The only reason I haven’t given these books 5 stars is because they are long, and I tend to need a more fast paced storyline to really immerse in a book.
- Secret Baby
- Single Dad / Nanny
- Slow Burn
- Virgin FMC
Every time this man opened his mouth I swooned.
Every time he flipped his cap backwards I also swooned.
His interactions with his daughter. SWOONED.
This story was so beautiful, it had me from chapter one. Page 2. Sweet Kieran, his story was my story. The author did an amazing job of capturing the heavy issues in this book.
THE BANTER WAS 6 STARS.
Same as the first book. These have so much joy, and hope. No matter what life throws at you, healing is possible. Being a good person is a choice.
I normally don’t love the virgin / teach me trope as I love a confident baddie FMC, but Layla was amazing, she was strong and snarky.
The only reason I haven’t given these books 5 stars is because they are long, and I tend to need a more fast paced storyline to really immerse in a book.
- Secret Baby
- Single Dad / Nanny
- Slow Burn
- Virgin FMC
March 10, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
A huge thank you to Mads for sending me this eARC in exchange for an honest review. Please read the trigger warnings before reading this book, it’s a tear jerker for sure.
She does it again! Another book to cry, laugh and squeal to. I went into this one semi-blind. I didn’t want too much back story (as I loved Kieran in Breaking Point and was exciting to see how his story with Layla would play out) and my god did it punch me right in the heart. Mads wrote one of the most heart wrenching characters in Kieran that I feel fiercely protective over him. Emmy was a wonderful story for him and probably the cutest character child I’ve ever come across - I cried at least 10 times reading her story. She deserves all the golden retrievers. Every single one.
The found family in this book is second to none, an ice hockey team that has so much love and dedication for each other that you’re left with a huge smile on your face after every interaction! It’s later felt in the relationship between not only Layla and Kieran, but also Layla and the rest of the group. Everyone takes care of her and it just feels so bloody special.
The cameos from Breaking Point continue the emotional journey once felt and honestly, I really appreciated Grayson and Bella’s character development. I felt a lot more connected to their story and the recognition for Bella’s mum made me absolutely sob. I cry every time her name is bought up 🙃
I will say, whilst this book is a wonderfully written story about true love and finding it in not only romantic partners, it was quite heavy in some parts. The story would go from light to dark instantly and I enjoyed that. It gave the characters some real depth.
I dropped half a star purely because I felt as though Layla’s character flicked the switch too much. I was getting unnecessarily irritated with the way she would “distrust” Kieran’s feelings because of rumours about him. The lack of communication and stubbornness irritated me. It’s a me thing for sure.
I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a new ice hockey series that will make you laugh and rip your heart out all at the same time 💕
A warning, if you are not a lover of dark topics such as abuse (child and sexual), infertility, health issues, death and panic attacks then I don’t think this book is for you.
A huge thank you to Mads for sending me this eARC in exchange for an honest review. Please read the trigger warnings before reading this book, it’s a tear jerker for sure.
She does it again! Another book to cry, laugh and squeal to. I went into this one semi-blind. I didn’t want too much back story (as I loved Kieran in Breaking Point and was exciting to see how his story with Layla would play out) and my god did it punch me right in the heart. Mads wrote one of the most heart wrenching characters in Kieran that I feel fiercely protective over him. Emmy was a wonderful story for him and probably the cutest character child I’ve ever come across - I cried at least 10 times reading her story. She deserves all the golden retrievers. Every single one.
The found family in this book is second to none, an ice hockey team that has so much love and dedication for each other that you’re left with a huge smile on your face after every interaction! It’s later felt in the relationship between not only Layla and Kieran, but also Layla and the rest of the group. Everyone takes care of her and it just feels so bloody special.
The cameos from Breaking Point continue the emotional journey once felt and honestly, I really appreciated Grayson and Bella’s character development. I felt a lot more connected to their story and the recognition for Bella’s mum made me absolutely sob. I cry every time her name is bought up 🙃
I will say, whilst this book is a wonderfully written story about true love and finding it in not only romantic partners, it was quite heavy in some parts. The story would go from light to dark instantly and I enjoyed that. It gave the characters some real depth.
I dropped half a star purely because I felt as though Layla’s character flicked the switch too much. I was getting unnecessarily irritated with the way she would “distrust” Kieran’s feelings because of rumours about him. The lack of communication and stubbornness irritated me. It’s a me thing for sure.
I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a new ice hockey series that will make you laugh and rip your heart out all at the same time 💕
A warning, if you are not a lover of dark topics such as abuse (child and sexual), infertility, health issues, death and panic attacks then I don’t think this book is for you.
April 16, 2026
Wow, I absolutely loved this book. I don’t have words. It feels like I’m grieving that it’s over? Some of the themes in this book are very important to me and I feel like it was written with such care, it really touched me 🥺 easy 5 ⭐️
For me, this is the best type of book when it comes to romance. It really got to me and had me so so sad at times, but it also healed you along the way. I think I could have kept reading about Kieran and Layla forever.
Kieran is obsessed with her, so kind and compassionate. So incredibly gentle and patient. My eyes stung a lot when you got to read his thoughts and memories, to feel his emotions and feelings 💔 And Layla… such a sweetheart. It was hard to read her inner dialogue as well. But Kieran was the absolute best part of this book. Hands down. Just wow.
Another very important character is Emmy, and oh my god. Adorable. Heartbreaking. Cuteness overload. So so precious 🥺
It’s definitely a heavy read, so if you’re in the mood for a fluffy and cute sports romance maybe save this for a time when you’re in the right headspace 😅
For me, this is the best type of book when it comes to romance. It really got to me and had me so so sad at times, but it also healed you along the way. I think I could have kept reading about Kieran and Layla forever.
Kieran is obsessed with her, so kind and compassionate. So incredibly gentle and patient. My eyes stung a lot when you got to read his thoughts and memories, to feel his emotions and feelings 💔 And Layla… such a sweetheart. It was hard to read her inner dialogue as well. But Kieran was the absolute best part of this book. Hands down. Just wow.
Another very important character is Emmy, and oh my god. Adorable. Heartbreaking. Cuteness overload. So so precious 🥺
It’s definitely a heavy read, so if you’re in the mood for a fluffy and cute sports romance maybe save this for a time when you’re in the right headspace 😅
April 2, 2026
2.5 stars. Didn’t love. Didn’t hate. I felt as though some things were mentioned and then never really resolved or given closure…
April 29, 2026
would prolly not recommend.
Did Not Finish
May 29, 2026No rating. I should’ve known from the blurb. H has a daughter he had no idea existed due to loose standards.
May 20, 2026
4.25 ⭐️
This was pure pain 😭😭😭 cried my eyes out but also it was cute as hell… idfk anymore
This was pure pain 😭😭😭 cried my eyes out but also it was cute as hell… idfk anymore
Review of advance copy received from Author
── review
(make sure you read the author's note for trigger warnings)
this book.
i don't even know where to start.
i loved breaking point, so my expectations were high—but this?? oh my god
mads' ability to bring real-life struggles into her stories is perfect. the way that she handles topics like lupus, anxiety & depression, and childhood trauma in her writing doesn't feel forced, it's feels real.
layla. the way she carries everything she’s been through, constantly feeling like she’s a burden, like she’s taking up space she shouldn’t… it hurt to read because of how real (and relatable, if i'm being honest) it felt.
kieran. where do i even begin? he’s the perfect mix of playful and deeply emotional, and the way he loves? god. he notices everything, remembers everything, and shows up in ways that matter.
and emmy. she brought so much light to an otherwise heavy story.
and the mirror scene? that was my favorite part of the book.
and i feel like i say this in every book review i write, but it’s true—the hints for not only the next book (matteo and evie), but the entire series have me so excited.
this book made me cry, smile, and feel everything in between. emotional, heavy, but also full of love and healing.
── pre-read!
my arc was approved!
bookstagram
(make sure you read the author's note for trigger warnings)
this book.
i don't even know where to start.
i loved breaking point, so my expectations were high—but this?? oh my god
mads' ability to bring real-life struggles into her stories is perfect. the way that she handles topics like lupus, anxiety & depression, and childhood trauma in her writing doesn't feel forced, it's feels real.
layla. the way she carries everything she’s been through, constantly feeling like she’s a burden, like she’s taking up space she shouldn’t… it hurt to read because of how real (and relatable, if i'm being honest) it felt.
kieran. where do i even begin? he’s the perfect mix of playful and deeply emotional, and the way he loves? god. he notices everything, remembers everything, and shows up in ways that matter.
and emmy. she brought so much light to an otherwise heavy story.
and the mirror scene? that was my favorite part of the book.
Please heart, I beg. Please don't fall for him. I can swear I hear a little voice whisper too late.
"Trying to ingrain yourself in my brain, Ashford?"
Seems only fair considering you take up all the space in mine."
"I live for the sound of your joy."
and i feel like i say this in every book review i write, but it’s true—the hints for not only the next book (matteo and evie), but the entire series have me so excited.
this book made me cry, smile, and feel everything in between. emotional, heavy, but also full of love and healing.
── pre-read!
my arc was approved!
bookstagram
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2026
Big fat trauma dump oh my god. Every bad thing you could think of, was shoved into this book and made it completely unenjoyable. I don’t think all the added struggles, added anything to the book or to the characters it just overall made the vibe incredibly low. I am so disappointed because I loved the first book and how the author handled difficult topics but this just felt like way too much, her poor characters consistently tormented. I found myself rushing to have this be over
April 6, 2026
ARC REVIEW! 5 stars simply wasn't enough so I'm going with 6 stars instead.
Firstly, I wanted to say a massive thank you to the author for allowing me to read this book early. Ever since I read the first book in the series, I have been not so patiently waiting to get my hands on this one. To say my expectations were exceeded would be a massive understatement! I absolutely adored Kieran and Layla’s story so much! It was emotional, it was addictive and it was so incredibly sweet at the same time.
Kieran is our heartbreaker professional hockey player. He is a little bit goofy, he definitely gives off sunshine vibes, and he is an absolutely amazing friend. As more of this man's story was revealed the more my emotional attachment to him grew.
He made a name for himself despite every hurdle life threw at him including the fact that he grew up in an abusive foster system. Not many people know this fact about his life, but when he does choose to open up I was absolutely gutted. After a phone call that sent his heart racing, he finds out that he actually has a daughter who he never knew about and that she has recently come into care at the same foster home he was subjected to. This man immediately steps up and takes on his new role as a dad.
He has a lot of emotions to unpack, he has a lot of things to do and he has a child he must now get to know even though she refuses to speak. Watching the father x daughter relationship grow between Kieran and Emmy was so sweet and definitely had my ovaries screaming at me. Emmy is sweet, she is kind and she is also a shell of who she should be because of the horrors she has also witnessed in her own life. My heart was so broken for these two but it was also repaired as I got further into this story.
Then we have Layla our FMC in this book. She has had her own set of battles in life that have definitely impacted who she is today. Gowing up she was constantly sick and had to miss out on a lot of the things other kids would do. Her life was essentially made up of doctor's appointments, many medications that didn't work for her, pain and stress. She now has a diagnosis of Lupus which is a chronic condition and whilst her trial medication is currently working for her, she is still absolutely terrified that she will have another flare up. Whilst Layla does face the physical battles that come with her diagnosis, she also has many metal battles she must face. She is plagued with anxiety, she constantly stresses about the smallest change in her body and she is also so afraid to let anyone else into her life.
I think Mads did an absolutely incredible job writing about this medical diagnosis. You can tell that she put a lot of research into this and that she also wanted to show both the highs and lows of this condition through her character's life. I won't lie I did occasionally get emotional alongside Layla because this would be such a challenging thing to live with.
Now these two actually met back in book one and I was very excited to know that they would be getting their own story. Layla does become Kieran's nanny with a little bit of persuasion, and it is a job that she ends up loving. Kieran is also hoping that Layla will give him a chance to show her that he wants something serious with her and to share his future with her. Kieran is so attentive and is the greenest of green flags honestly. The way he treats her like an absolute Queen and gives her a chance to experience all the things she missed out on as a kid was so heartwarming. The emotional connection between these two and also the emotional connection between Layla and Emmy was enough to have me in tears during some parts of this book.
Every single character is so real and raw which in my opinion made them 1000 times more relatable and lovable. This is a story I will be thinking about for a long time to come let me just put it that way. At this point anything Mads writes I will read!
Just a friendly reminder to check trigger warning prior to reading this one as there are a lot of heavier topics discussed.
Firstly, I wanted to say a massive thank you to the author for allowing me to read this book early. Ever since I read the first book in the series, I have been not so patiently waiting to get my hands on this one. To say my expectations were exceeded would be a massive understatement! I absolutely adored Kieran and Layla’s story so much! It was emotional, it was addictive and it was so incredibly sweet at the same time.
Kieran is our heartbreaker professional hockey player. He is a little bit goofy, he definitely gives off sunshine vibes, and he is an absolutely amazing friend. As more of this man's story was revealed the more my emotional attachment to him grew.
He made a name for himself despite every hurdle life threw at him including the fact that he grew up in an abusive foster system. Not many people know this fact about his life, but when he does choose to open up I was absolutely gutted. After a phone call that sent his heart racing, he finds out that he actually has a daughter who he never knew about and that she has recently come into care at the same foster home he was subjected to. This man immediately steps up and takes on his new role as a dad.
He has a lot of emotions to unpack, he has a lot of things to do and he has a child he must now get to know even though she refuses to speak. Watching the father x daughter relationship grow between Kieran and Emmy was so sweet and definitely had my ovaries screaming at me. Emmy is sweet, she is kind and she is also a shell of who she should be because of the horrors she has also witnessed in her own life. My heart was so broken for these two but it was also repaired as I got further into this story.
Then we have Layla our FMC in this book. She has had her own set of battles in life that have definitely impacted who she is today. Gowing up she was constantly sick and had to miss out on a lot of the things other kids would do. Her life was essentially made up of doctor's appointments, many medications that didn't work for her, pain and stress. She now has a diagnosis of Lupus which is a chronic condition and whilst her trial medication is currently working for her, she is still absolutely terrified that she will have another flare up. Whilst Layla does face the physical battles that come with her diagnosis, she also has many metal battles she must face. She is plagued with anxiety, she constantly stresses about the smallest change in her body and she is also so afraid to let anyone else into her life.
I think Mads did an absolutely incredible job writing about this medical diagnosis. You can tell that she put a lot of research into this and that she also wanted to show both the highs and lows of this condition through her character's life. I won't lie I did occasionally get emotional alongside Layla because this would be such a challenging thing to live with.
Now these two actually met back in book one and I was very excited to know that they would be getting their own story. Layla does become Kieran's nanny with a little bit of persuasion, and it is a job that she ends up loving. Kieran is also hoping that Layla will give him a chance to show her that he wants something serious with her and to share his future with her. Kieran is so attentive and is the greenest of green flags honestly. The way he treats her like an absolute Queen and gives her a chance to experience all the things she missed out on as a kid was so heartwarming. The emotional connection between these two and also the emotional connection between Layla and Emmy was enough to have me in tears during some parts of this book.
Every single character is so real and raw which in my opinion made them 1000 times more relatable and lovable. This is a story I will be thinking about for a long time to come let me just put it that way. At this point anything Mads writes I will read!
Just a friendly reminder to check trigger warning prior to reading this one as there are a lot of heavier topics discussed.
April 23, 2026
I'm sobbing. This author is either very creative or very traumatised bit it's all good because she's one of the best authors ever like top 5. I think this book broke something in me because we love it when the guy is very traumatised and the girl has some kind of medical issue. but it's all good 😊. But the girl literally had me throwing my phone across the room in the last 24 pages. U CANNOT DO THAT TO ME. like yes I wanted to bang my head against the wall because of how long Layla was in denial but SHE DID NOT DESERVE THAT. IDC IF IT WAS PART OF THE CHARACTER ARC, HELL TO THE NO. But it was worth all the tears. 5 stars
Side not: I don't think I can eat cereal again without crying. 😭
Side not: I don't think I can eat cereal again without crying. 😭
May 20, 2026
One-liner: Rafferty keeps stepping it up!! This was basically faultless??? Heart wrenching levels of yearn between two characters who deserve all the happiness in the world!!
Short notes:
- Rafferty has created two distinctive characters, each persevering through their own struggles while trying to go for what they truly want - each other. I love some good character development and depth, and the author delivered!
- Emmy is beyond adorable and so is her relationship with al of those around her. Despite her shyness, she remains so vivid and truly child-like. This might sound painfully obvious, but the times that I’ve read novels where there are kids that are barely even characterised and just blurs of children in my mind have truly scarred me.
- The romance was UGH - Kieran is so so sweet and supportive and loving and Layla is so caring and considerate as well. The novel left me with the feeling of being wrapped up in a toasty hug.
Thanks, Rafferty, for the amazing novel! Can’t wait to read more!
Short notes:
- Rafferty has created two distinctive characters, each persevering through their own struggles while trying to go for what they truly want - each other. I love some good character development and depth, and the author delivered!
- Emmy is beyond adorable and so is her relationship with al of those around her. Despite her shyness, she remains so vivid and truly child-like. This might sound painfully obvious, but the times that I’ve read novels where there are kids that are barely even characterised and just blurs of children in my mind have truly scarred me.
- The romance was UGH - Kieran is so so sweet and supportive and loving and Layla is so caring and considerate as well. The novel left me with the feeling of being wrapped up in a toasty hug.
Thanks, Rafferty, for the amazing novel! Can’t wait to read more!
March 31, 2026
Review of Advanced Copy from Author
4.75⭐️ Mads has done it again and has shattered me whole. I was so excited for Kieran and Layla’s story since Breaking point and this didn’t disappoint. The found family between the team, their families and Grayson and Bella is adorable, but what got me most was the relationship between Kieran, Layla and Emmy. The vulnerability, strength, love and trust they have for each other despite their trauma is to die for and I’m so excited for the next one🥲🥹
4.75⭐️ Mads has done it again and has shattered me whole. I was so excited for Kieran and Layla’s story since Breaking point and this didn’t disappoint. The found family between the team, their families and Grayson and Bella is adorable, but what got me most was the relationship between Kieran, Layla and Emmy. The vulnerability, strength, love and trust they have for each other despite their trauma is to die for and I’m so excited for the next one🥲🥹
April 7, 2026
Another five star read from Mads Rafferty. This book was absolutely beautiful. It carried so much emotion and felt incredibly raw and real in a way that really stayed with me. I always appreciate stories that explore struggles people actually face, and this one handled them in such an honest and heartfelt way.
Kieren might be my new favorite MMC. He is so sweet and completely devoted to Layla, and I loved how naturally he stepped into the role of a dad for Emmy. That part of the story felt especially touching. Layla was such a likable FMC, and Emmy completely stole the show. She was easily one of the cutest kids I have ever read about.
I am also such a fan of the texts at the beginning of each chapter. There is just something about that detail that adds so much to the story. It gives a deeper look into the side characters and makes the world feel more complete.
And speaking of side characters, I am already so excited for the next book in the series. The little glimpses we get of potential main characters have me completely hooked, and I cannot wait to read their stories.
I could honestly go on and on about this book, but it is safe to say I loved it.
Kieren might be my new favorite MMC. He is so sweet and completely devoted to Layla, and I loved how naturally he stepped into the role of a dad for Emmy. That part of the story felt especially touching. Layla was such a likable FMC, and Emmy completely stole the show. She was easily one of the cutest kids I have ever read about.
I am also such a fan of the texts at the beginning of each chapter. There is just something about that detail that adds so much to the story. It gives a deeper look into the side characters and makes the world feel more complete.
And speaking of side characters, I am already so excited for the next book in the series. The little glimpses we get of potential main characters have me completely hooked, and I cannot wait to read their stories.
I could honestly go on and on about this book, but it is safe to say I loved it.
April 3, 2026
⭐️ 4.5 Stars ⭐️
What a beautiful yet heartbreaking story. I definitely recommend checking the trigger warnings before diving in—while there are plenty of sweet and funny moments, the book also explores some heavy themes.
My heart truly ached for Kieran and everything he’s been through. Despite his past, he remains such a gentle, thoughtful, and genuinely kind person—it’s impossible not to love him.
I found myself getting frustrated with Layla at times for not trusting Kieran and his feelings, especially when they felt so clear. But her anxiety and overthinking were written so authentically that it really hit home. The struggles she had to live through were incredibly sad, and she truly deserves the world.
Emmy’s story was absolutely devastating. She was such a sweetheart, and honestly, give this girl her own dog already. Emmy and Bambi together were just the cutest.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was the strong found family dynamic. It was written so warmly and felt incredibly comforting. There’s also plenty of yearning, longing, and that quiet, all-consuming kind of love—both characters are so gentle and considerate with each other.
Grayson and Layla’s parents added another layer of warmth; they were truly wholesome and supportive.
Perfect for fans of:
- Found family
- Single dad x nanny
- Mental health representation
- He falls first
What a beautiful yet heartbreaking story. I definitely recommend checking the trigger warnings before diving in—while there are plenty of sweet and funny moments, the book also explores some heavy themes.
My heart truly ached for Kieran and everything he’s been through. Despite his past, he remains such a gentle, thoughtful, and genuinely kind person—it’s impossible not to love him.
I found myself getting frustrated with Layla at times for not trusting Kieran and his feelings, especially when they felt so clear. But her anxiety and overthinking were written so authentically that it really hit home. The struggles she had to live through were incredibly sad, and she truly deserves the world.
Emmy’s story was absolutely devastating. She was such a sweetheart, and honestly, give this girl her own dog already. Emmy and Bambi together were just the cutest.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was the strong found family dynamic. It was written so warmly and felt incredibly comforting. There’s also plenty of yearning, longing, and that quiet, all-consuming kind of love—both characters are so gentle and considerate with each other.
Grayson and Layla’s parents added another layer of warmth; they were truly wholesome and supportive.
Perfect for fans of:
- Found family
- Single dad x nanny
- Mental health representation
- He falls first
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