Between the Lines: A Sapphic/Lesbian Steamy Hockey Romance

by Emily Hayes

Genres: Sports, Gay, Lesbian, Sports Romance, Queer

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2026

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name


For lesbian romance author please go to
Emily^^Hayes

For psychology (autism, ADHD, etc.) author please go to
Emily^^^Hayes

Reviews

[murph · Rating 2 out of 5]

pretty sure this is ai tbh

[Cheye Cortes · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is genuinely one of the worst books I’ve ever read. It took everything in me to actually finish it. I’m fully convinced that this is a very poorly written fanfiction that was written with AI assistance. It was SO BAD.
I almost thought it got points for having actual hockey in the book (a lot of the sports romances never talk about the sport itself), but it quickly became clear that either the author has no idea how hockey works, or was hoping that the reader doesn’t.
There were so many plot holes and repetitions and I drove my wife crazy yelling “that’s not how that works!” and “what are you even talking about?” It’s so bad. So so bad.

[ashlee ❤ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lou + Camille

-sapphic sports romance
-hockey teammates
-forbidden romance
-captain x superstar
-straight to gay awakening
-secret relationship

i really enjoyed this story & how their relationship developed here! this was amazing if you’re riding that heated rivalry high but wanting sapphic…cause obvs…girls always do it better!

[Tara Kincaid · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book. Read it pretty fast, I think. I like the two MCs and their stories. What troubled me was the fact that the love buildup for the two MCs was almost unrealistically fast. I mean, I’m a lesbian so I know stereotypically lesbians tend to fall in love fast. lol However, it was “in love” type feelings so hard and fast and then a quick breakup that caused a MC to withdrawal from everything she’d built in her life. I know heartbreak can feel like the world is crashing all around you but after what seems like 2-3 weeks? I don’t know, just felt like so much drama too quickly. In the end, things came together and all was well but that beginning was SO MUCH emotion, even for the lesbians. I get it, it’s fiction. But even fiction should have some type of realism, maybe? Right?

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you're looking for sapphic Heated Rivalry...keep looking.

The insta-love in this was absurd and nothing made any sense. I couldn't understand why they liked each other at all, let alone why they'd give up "everything" to be together. (First of all, they are minor league hockey players.) Why was a hockey player being treated like Taylor Swift in terms of her levels of fame? Why was Lou "hiding away" her whole life? I'll never know. I see other poor reviews of this book saying it's AI generated, but I honestly think this just used to be fan fiction, because it hits every single beat in that regard. The problem is, Emily Hayes didn't do a good job making them characters outside of their fandom. Who are these people?? I still don't know.

[Robin Kenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do so love a good sports story, and one with love between to impressive women makes it even better!

Emily Hayes does not disappoint with her stories in Phoenix Ridge! These characters are dynamic and powerful and lovely! The story brings plenty of excitement, anxiety and heat in the stress of performance before large crowds and even in intimate areas. The setting is comfortable, the community is unique. I enjoy the way Ms Hayes spins an Ice cold tale with so much heat!

[Hanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to read this but it fell flat for me. The pacing was weird - straight to love declarations without any meaningful conversations or time spent together. Characters were okay though very generic. Friendships mentioned but no real connections felf. Conflicts generic with fast resolutions. Most conversations of the MCs were just about loving each other. Very straight forward book all in all, didn't give me too many emotions.

2.5 rounded to 3 cause it's at least wlw and hockey themed.

[Shari Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast read, hard to put down

The author did a realistic job portraying what many lesbian women, athletes or not, have been facing for years. She did a great job explaining the fear that comes with coming out yet how freeing that can be. Great book Miss Hayes and thank you, I’m a fan.

[Kim Tunney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Between the lines

Another great read in the phoenix ridge series meeting old friends from previous books like Astoria!! A must read with the mistrust the getting to know the feelings the heartbreak just do it🌹🌈

[purpletri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pulled me in from the beginning

I really enjoyed the chemistry. I don't follow hockey but it was easy to understand the game play with this author. Great characters keep them coming.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great New Phoenix Ridge Series

Phoenix Ridge meets woman’s sports and gets the game winning goal! Love that Emily has continued the Phoenix Ridge storyline with sports stories! Great first book and if you haven’t caught anything else from Emily-check her out!!!

[James Altes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from Emily Hayes

A fabulous book about two people afraid to admit and commit to what’s happening in their lives. Rebuilding lives with passion and love. The way it should be.

[Teny Anastassian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is good, the plot line cliché but in a good way. What bothered me is it felt rushed and flat. The book didn’t stir up any emotion in me, as if the characters were just going through the motions. The coach felt more real than the main characters.
Nevertheless, glad I read it.

[Rose A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This hockey love story is perfect

Loved them both! Complex people with baggage. Throwing out the baggage and deciding to be brave! Their love story should be celebrated. Would love a new story of their next chapter!

[Courtney Escalera-Gillum · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lou and Camilla’s story definitely feels more novella type. I read this pretty quick and easy - it’s missing a lot of depth to the story. I’m all for u-hauling but this went from hate to love in 5 seconds, and not the good kind either. Won’t be reading any additional stories from this series.

[Sheila M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!

I love everything by this author. It's laugh out loud funny, heartfelt, and relatable. The characters are amazing. Can't wait to read all of her books.

[Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

AI book. Author has nine books out in eight months. Physically impossible to write so many in that time.

[Rebecca Loher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

This was a fabulous book, again another Phoenix Ridge outlet that is fascinating and a creative piece to read! Great job! ❤️

[Ashley Havens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just not for me

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ THIS BOOK

As usual Emily Hayes writes another amazing story with loveable characters and story line.
Can barely wait for the next installment in the series!

[Alex Perrin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVEEEE a hockey romance!! It was good, there were parts where if I was Camille, I would not take her back but you can tell they are destined to be together from the moment they meet.

[Patricia Livers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story. A little long for me.

[Sarah Robins · Rating 1 out of 5]

No way this isn’t AI. Only made it through 4 (?) chapters and there were already several sentences/ phrases that had been copy-pasted multiple times in so few pages. 0 stars.

[The Poetrist · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was so incredibly boring and slow. And the plot was so unrealistic…

[Sam Dolan]

This narrative didn't engage me. The instalove wasn't satisfying and I just decided to move on. Perhaps I'll come back to it in future.

[Velma Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ice hockey

I loved the characters and the story line. The action, physical interactions very real.
Good work, will continue to follow your writing

[F. Eckt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Feels like it’s written by ai. Flat but fast Story. Not really a book more a short story

[Reader Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sports

The characters are interesting. The hockey and sports knowledge are laughable. It uses a promotion system to suggest that the Valkyrie are a semi-pro team hoping to be promoted to the PWHL. Professional sports in both the United States and Canada don’t work like. The Captain leaves during the season it’s acceptable and an acceptable behavior, it’s not.
The season finale is against an undefeated team for first place which would be mathematically impossible. If you want to write about sports please do research and/or ask for help.