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Love and Hockey #6.5
The Rival Upgrade
They say the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else.
I say the best way is to get under his rival.
Enter Shaw: smooth, sexy, British—and my ex’s biggest enemy on the ice. What was supposed to be a one-time revenge fling turns complicated when he invites me to his game… and catches me in my lie.
Turns out, nothing turns him on more than payback.
And now I’ve got a hockey player who won’t stop chasing me.
I say the best way is to get under his rival.
Enter Shaw: smooth, sexy, British—and my ex’s biggest enemy on the ice. What was supposed to be a one-time revenge fling turns complicated when he invites me to his game… and catches me in my lie.
Turns out, nothing turns him on more than payback.
And now I’ve got a hockey player who won’t stop chasing me.
Kindle Edition
First published February 13, 2026
332 people are currently reading
536 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Blakely
246 books24.7k followersYou can find Lauren on TikTok at @laurenblakelybooks! A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, feel-good and witty. Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
February 13, 2026
Short and sweet. I definitely liked that Camden came clean and told the truth before they hooked up.
February 14, 2026
My first Lauren Blakely and definitely not the last!
The Boyfriend Goal is definitely on my tbr for this year
The Boyfriend Goal is definitely on my tbr for this year
February 20, 2026
✨𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰✨
“𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙬 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙨 𝙖 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨. 𝙄 𝙗𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣 𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙤 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙟𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙬’𝙨 𝙣𝙪𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧. 𝙐𝙥𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙚.”
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 🌶️🌶️
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫: 6
𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧: 57%
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬: Sports romance (hockey), ex’s rival, he falls first
𝐏𝐎𝐕: 1st person, Dual POV
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Duet
𝐊𝐔: Yes
This was short, sweet, and a super quick read. I would have loved it even more if it had been a bit longer, but I really enjoyed it for what it was. Blakely did a great job with the pacing and keeping the story moving.
I loved the revenge plot of getting together with her ex’s hockey rival. Such a fun setup. If you love the Love & Hockey series, this is definitely a hockey romance you don’t want to miss.
⚠️𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬:⚠️
One open door scene with explicit descriptions
Strong language
𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬:
“𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙬 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙨 𝙖 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨. 𝙄 𝙗𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣 𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙤 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙟𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙬’𝙨 𝙣𝙪𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧. 𝙐𝙥𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙚.”
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 🌶️🌶️
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫: 6
𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧: 57%
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬: Sports romance (hockey), ex’s rival, he falls first
𝐏𝐎𝐕: 1st person, Dual POV
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Duet
𝐊𝐔: Yes
This was short, sweet, and a super quick read. I would have loved it even more if it had been a bit longer, but I really enjoyed it for what it was. Blakely did a great job with the pacing and keeping the story moving.
I loved the revenge plot of getting together with her ex’s hockey rival. Such a fun setup. If you love the Love & Hockey series, this is definitely a hockey romance you don’t want to miss.
⚠️𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬:⚠️
One open door scene with explicit descriptions
Strong language
𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬:
![Profile Image for ✎• нuѕηαн [Ramadan Hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1756045540i%2F49264406._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
February 17, 2026
જ⁀➴ 4 stars
Camden has been dating Erik, who is so full of himself that he thinks any woman having a piece of him should be lucky, until Camden realised he has been cheating on her.
To get revenge on Erik, Camden decided to date his rival- Shaw Coleman whom he is obsessed with since Cole is so much better at everything that Erik could be.
This was really sweet and I am so glad Camden came clean to Shaw before they get together about her identity.
I turn to him. “Do you want to come to the opening of my club with me next week?”
The corners of his lips curve up. “Like a date, Camden?” It’s a question full of delight. “A real one?”
“Was tonight not a real date?”
“It was a revenge fuck,” he says. “But it sounds like I revenge fucked my way right into your calendar, didn’t I?” The man is simply too pleased. But it’s well deserved.
I laugh. “You definitely did, Shaw.”
Camden has been dating Erik, who is so full of himself that he thinks any woman having a piece of him should be lucky, until Camden realised he has been cheating on her.
To get revenge on Erik, Camden decided to date his rival- Shaw Coleman whom he is obsessed with since Cole is so much better at everything that Erik could be.
This was really sweet and I am so glad Camden came clean to Shaw before they get together about her identity.
I turn to him. “Do you want to come to the opening of my club with me next week?”
The corners of his lips curve up. “Like a date, Camden?” It’s a question full of delight. “A real one?”
“Was tonight not a real date?”
“It was a revenge fuck,” he says. “But it sounds like I revenge fucked my way right into your calendar, didn’t I?” The man is simply too pleased. But it’s well deserved.
I laugh. “You definitely did, Shaw.”
March 5, 2026
4.5 stars ⭐
A MF romantic short story! It's got a rockstar x hockey player, ex-boyfriend's rival, revenge fuck plan which leads to so much more 😁.
It's been forever since I read a MF story but I got this as a promo audiobook freebie & couldn't resist a duet narration 😍, especially of only 50min. Plus, the ebook was free - so I grabbed that too!
The 3 narrators did good. C's felt blasé but it worked for her. I liked S's british accent. E's did good to show him as carefree & jackass too in the short time he was here.
Camden is a tattooed rockstar, who just finds her bf had been cheating. It was a weird start, her pointing his annoying traits but now I get the lead up 😅. Girl, u were kind to him but u should've aimed higher lol. C's fiesty, planner & honest. I'm glad she told Shaw the truth before going further!
Shaw is C's (now) ex's rival, a British dude who's a gentleman & knows how to treat a lady right on & off the bed 🤭. He had a crush on C which was cute & I liked how all in he was from start!
This is pretty straightforward story with their meet & spicy times. I'm glad we get to see them on dates! It's a sweet HFN ending & there's not much else but I liked this short story. It's been so long since I'd read a Lauren book!
Audiobook/Story ratings:
POV: 1st person, Dual POV
Narration: Triple (Duet style). Erin Mallon, Shane East, Evan Parker.
Story arc: 3/5 (short but fun)
Voice acting: 9/10
FB Page | Instagram | Bookbub | FB group
A MF romantic short story! It's got a rockstar x hockey player, ex-boyfriend's rival, revenge fuck plan which leads to so much more 😁.
It's been forever since I read a MF story but I got this as a promo audiobook freebie & couldn't resist a duet narration 😍, especially of only 50min. Plus, the ebook was free - so I grabbed that too!
The 3 narrators did good. C's felt blasé but it worked for her. I liked S's british accent. E's did good to show him as carefree & jackass too in the short time he was here.
Camden is a tattooed rockstar, who just finds her bf had been cheating. It was a weird start, her pointing his annoying traits but now I get the lead up 😅. Girl, u were kind to him but u should've aimed higher lol. C's fiesty, planner & honest. I'm glad she told Shaw the truth before going further!
Shaw is C's (now) ex's rival, a British dude who's a gentleman & knows how to treat a lady right on & off the bed 🤭. He had a crush on C which was cute & I liked how all in he was from start!
This is pretty straightforward story with their meet & spicy times. I'm glad we get to see them on dates! It's a sweet HFN ending & there's not much else but I liked this short story. It's been so long since I'd read a Lauren book!
Audiobook/Story ratings:
POV: 1st person, Dual POV
Narration: Triple (Duet style). Erin Mallon, Shane East, Evan Parker.
Story arc: 3/5 (short but fun)
Voice acting: 9/10
FB Page | Instagram | Bookbub | FB group
February 23, 2026
cute little novella
February 13, 2026
Revenge was never so hot and sweet!
The Rival Upgrade hit the is a fast-paced, spicy novella that hit the spot!
Camden's an upcoming and coming singer who is opening a club. Overall, she's satisfied with her boyfriend, Eric, a professional hockey player. Although, the shine is starting to wear off, and the blemishes are starting to become more glaringly obvious. When she discovers he's been cheating, she decides the best way to get back at him is to hook up with his rival, hockey star, Shaw. What she doesn't expect is mutual attraction and fireworks to fly between them. How will Shaw feel when he finds out about her payback plan?
This novella, left me wanting more. I'd love to see how their relationship develops after the final page.
The audiobook is performed in duet, and Erin Mallon, Shane East, and Evan Parker perfectly captured their characters personalities.
The Rival Upgrade is part of Lauren Blakeley's Love and Hockey series, which has been on my TBR for a while now. After getting a taste of this world, I know I need to start this series ASAP!
The Rival Upgrade hit the is a fast-paced, spicy novella that hit the spot!
Camden's an upcoming and coming singer who is opening a club. Overall, she's satisfied with her boyfriend, Eric, a professional hockey player. Although, the shine is starting to wear off, and the blemishes are starting to become more glaringly obvious. When she discovers he's been cheating, she decides the best way to get back at him is to hook up with his rival, hockey star, Shaw. What she doesn't expect is mutual attraction and fireworks to fly between them. How will Shaw feel when he finds out about her payback plan?
This novella, left me wanting more. I'd love to see how their relationship develops after the final page.
The audiobook is performed in duet, and Erin Mallon, Shane East, and Evan Parker perfectly captured their characters personalities.
The Rival Upgrade is part of Lauren Blakeley's Love and Hockey series, which has been on my TBR for a while now. After getting a taste of this world, I know I need to start this series ASAP!
February 13, 2026
Camden is dating Erik, a professional hockey player. Until she finds out he's cheating.
She's a strong, independent woman with a successful career in music. She's about to open her own club that is based on female performers. And, she's decided the best way to get over her ex is to get revenge on him. And the best way is by dating his biggest rival on the ice.
Lucky for her, Shaw feels the same way.
Lucky for both of them, they were already "coffee shop acquaintances" but neither of them had actually made a move. And now, it's definitely the right time.
Sweet Scale: 3/5
Spicy Scale: 3/5
She's a strong, independent woman with a successful career in music. She's about to open her own club that is based on female performers. And, she's decided the best way to get over her ex is to get revenge on him. And the best way is by dating his biggest rival on the ice.
Lucky for her, Shaw feels the same way.
Lucky for both of them, they were already "coffee shop acquaintances" but neither of them had actually made a move. And now, it's definitely the right time.
Sweet Scale: 3/5
Spicy Scale: 3/5
February 21, 2026
A FREE novella in The Love and Hockey Series
🥳
✅free eBook (Kindle via Amazon)
✅free audiobook (via Bookfunnel)
How to get your copy?
Check Lauren Blakely's website!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for the story by Lauren Blakely
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 for the narration by Erin Mallon, Shane East and Evan Parker🎙️
What it is about:
What to do when you catch your hockey boyfriend cheating on you?
They say the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else. 🤷♀️
Like... his hockey rival. 😉
What I loved:
🎡he is British - Shane's voice is just D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S. 🥵
😈she is out for revenge 😏
What you need to know:
📚interconnected standalone, part of The Love and hockey Series
⌛novella (50')
🫂dual POV
🎙️duet narration, multi-cast
🏒hockey player x popstar
☕missed connection
💖he falls first, he falls H.A.R.D.
❤️HEA
✅free eBook (Kindle via Amazon)
✅free audiobook (via Bookfunnel)
How to get your copy?
Check Lauren Blakely's website!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for the story by Lauren Blakely
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 for the narration by Erin Mallon, Shane East and Evan Parker🎙️
What it is about:
What to do when you catch your hockey boyfriend cheating on you?
They say the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else. 🤷♀️
Like... his hockey rival. 😉
What I loved:
🎡he is British - Shane's voice is just D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S. 🥵
😈she is out for revenge 😏
What you need to know:
📚interconnected standalone, part of The Love and hockey Series
⌛novella (50')
🫂dual POV
🎙️duet narration, multi-cast
🏒hockey player x popstar
☕missed connection
💖he falls first, he falls H.A.R.D.
❤️HEA
February 13, 2026
Great Short Story
This short story is about a young woman who kicks her no-good ex to the curb. It turns out that she is attracted to her ex’s rival in hockey and after her ex trash talks her on tv, she decides to get revenge by going out with the rival. This quickly becomes something more.
While the story was much too short, I still enjoyed it and will continue to wait for more new books by this author.
This short story is about a young woman who kicks her no-good ex to the curb. It turns out that she is attracted to her ex’s rival in hockey and after her ex trash talks her on tv, she decides to get revenge by going out with the rival. This quickly becomes something more.
While the story was much too short, I still enjoyed it and will continue to wait for more new books by this author.
February 13, 2026
Couldn't Stop Reading.
Oh my goodness. I read this in one sitting. From beginning to end this book didn't fail. This book will be a reread. It was fun and couldn't stop reading. I wish I had a "Shaw".
Oh my goodness. I read this in one sitting. From beginning to end this book didn't fail. This book will be a reread. It was fun and couldn't stop reading. I wish I had a "Shaw".
February 13, 2026
Fabulous
Amazing story, just wish it was longer. Had so much potential as the characters were great and the story line was a really good one. But felt it ended as soon as it started
Good for a quick light read though
Amazing story, just wish it was longer. Had so much potential as the characters were great and the story line was a really good one. But felt it ended as soon as it started
Good for a quick light read though
February 19, 2026
Super cute short hockey novella! So glad Erik was short lived because I couldn’t stand the guy. Exactly what I was looking for… finished in one sitting. The audio was perfection! I love Lauren’s writing so much!
February 20, 2026
I know it was supposed to be short and fun and that deep. but I felt no connection between the two characters. I only liked the first chapter. The fact that she perused him because he's her ex's rival is so bleeh I hoped it's going to be an organic "accident ".
February 13, 2026
Cute little novella
This was a great preview for the series. The revenge plan was super fun. I plan on reading more from this series.
This was a great preview for the series. The revenge plan was super fun. I plan on reading more from this series.
February 13, 2026
Super short but definitely another cute fun romance by her! Great for a quick cute in between read! Hockey player and rival to jerk ex-boyfriend of a famous singer is the perfect mic for revenge!
February 14, 2026
Getting sweet revenge on a cheating ex, way to go Camden. This was a short quick novella but had all the Lauren Blakely essence that I love!
February 15, 2026
Love this one! The audio was great too
Short and sweet and spicy!
Loved it
Short and sweet and spicy!
Loved it
February 21, 2026
✦⚬───────────────────────────✧───────────────────────────⚬✦
ꜱᴛᴀʀᴛᴇᴅ/ꜰɪɴɪꜱʜᴇᴅ: 21 ꜰᴇʙ/21 ꜰᴇʙ
ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ: ᴠᴇʀʏ ꜱʜᴏʀᴛ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟʟᴀ, ʀᴇᴠᴇɴɢᴇ ᴛʀᴏᴘᴇ, ꜱᴘᴏʀᴛꜱ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ, ɪɴꜱᴛᴀ ʟᴏᴠᴇ
✦⚬───────────────────────────✧───────────────────────────⚬✦
Rating 2/5 | Spice 3.5/5 on the romance.io scale (1= Glimpses and kisses, 2=Closed door, 3=Open door, 4=Explicit open door, 5=Explicit and plentiful)
This book is just way too short to care for it, at least with the revenge trope + the way it's written. It wasn't for me.
I like most of Lauren Blakely's books that I've read and went into this kinda blindly, that's on me, but I didn't care for either of the mc's. The revenge plot is lame and everything happens way too fast due to the length. It felt juvenile and rushed.
⊹₊ ˚‧┈┈┈┈⋆ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱʜɪᴘ ⋆┈┈┈┈‧ ˚ ₊⊹
FMC wants to use MMC as revenge on her ex, and MMC doesn't give a shit and just wants to get with FMC and show he's better. They go from strangers to kissing to sex within 24h and 1 week later they're in a relationship. Alright....
MMC keeps calling her "princess" which was cringe to me.
⊹₊ ˚‧┈┈┈┈୨୧ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀꜱ ୨୧┈┈┈┈‧ ˚ ₊⊹
MMC
About: Shaw Coleman, British, hockey player
Appearance: Dark hair, brown eyes, carved cheekbones, chiseled jaw, scruff
FMC
About: Camden Tinsley, pop star
Appearance: Redhead, dark green eyes, freckled nose, strong cheekbones, tattooed arm
⊹₊ ˚‧┈┈┈┈✦ ꜰᴇᴀᴛᴜʀᴇꜱ ✦┈┈┈┈‧ ˚ ₊⊹
Standalone
HEA
Vanilla smut
✦⚬───────────────────────────✧───────────────────────────⚬✦
ꜱᴛᴀʀᴛᴇᴅ/ꜰɪɴɪꜱʜᴇᴅ: 21 ꜰᴇʙ/21 ꜰᴇʙ
ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ: ᴠᴇʀʏ ꜱʜᴏʀᴛ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟʟᴀ, ʀᴇᴠᴇɴɢᴇ ᴛʀᴏᴘᴇ, ꜱᴘᴏʀᴛꜱ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ, ɪɴꜱᴛᴀ ʟᴏᴠᴇ
✦⚬───────────────────────────✧───────────────────────────⚬✦
Rating 2/5 | Spice 3.5/5 on the romance.io scale (1= Glimpses and kisses, 2=Closed door, 3=Open door, 4=Explicit open door, 5=Explicit and plentiful)
This book is just way too short to care for it, at least with the revenge trope + the way it's written. It wasn't for me.
I like most of Lauren Blakely's books that I've read and went into this kinda blindly, that's on me, but I didn't care for either of the mc's. The revenge plot is lame and everything happens way too fast due to the length. It felt juvenile and rushed.
⊹₊ ˚‧┈┈┈┈⋆ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱʜɪᴘ ⋆┈┈┈┈‧ ˚ ₊⊹
FMC wants to use MMC as revenge on her ex, and MMC doesn't give a shit and just wants to get with FMC and show he's better. They go from strangers to kissing to sex within 24h and 1 week later they're in a relationship. Alright....
MMC keeps calling her "princess" which was cringe to me.
⊹₊ ˚‧┈┈┈┈୨୧ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀꜱ ୨୧┈┈┈┈‧ ˚ ₊⊹
MMC
About: Shaw Coleman, British, hockey player
Appearance: Dark hair, brown eyes, carved cheekbones, chiseled jaw, scruff
FMC
About: Camden Tinsley, pop star
Appearance: Redhead, dark green eyes, freckled nose, strong cheekbones, tattooed arm
⊹₊ ˚‧┈┈┈┈✦ ꜰᴇᴀᴛᴜʀᴇꜱ ✦┈┈┈┈‧ ˚ ₊⊹
Standalone
HEA
Vanilla smut
✦⚬───────────────────────────✧───────────────────────────⚬✦
February 22, 2026
Super short hockey, spicy romance….just wish it was longer!
February 18, 2026
3.5 ⭐
A perfect short story for when you need something quick that will make you smile! Lauren Blakely doesn't disappoint!
A perfect short story for when you need something quick that will make you smile! Lauren Blakely doesn't disappoint!
February 17, 2026
Thank you to @LaurenBlakelyBooks and the wonderful @KPSimmon for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Ugh, The Rival Upgrade was so, so good! Honestly, it was exactly the kind of quick, flirty, and spicy story I was craving. Lauren Blakely really is the queen of delivering a full blown romance without wasting any time.
The premise is absolute chef’s kiss. Why go through the drama of getting over an ex when you can just get under his biggest rival instead. Then there's Shaw, smooth, British, and honestly? Unfair. What started as a "one and done" revenge hookup gets messy in the best way possible once he starts leaning into the whole payback aspect.
Shaw was 100% the star of the show. He’s got that cocky, playful hockey energy that drives me insane. The chemistry is instant, the banter is fire, and I loved watching him flip from "casual fling" to "fully obsessed" so fast.
Even for a novella, it doesn't skimp on anything. You get the heat, the laughs, and all the swoon of a rival romance done right. If you want something short, spicy, and super fun, you’ve gotta check this one out! Highly recommended!!!
5 Stars!
#LaurenBlakely, #TheRivalUpgrade, #HockeyRomance
Ugh, The Rival Upgrade was so, so good! Honestly, it was exactly the kind of quick, flirty, and spicy story I was craving. Lauren Blakely really is the queen of delivering a full blown romance without wasting any time.
The premise is absolute chef’s kiss. Why go through the drama of getting over an ex when you can just get under his biggest rival instead. Then there's Shaw, smooth, British, and honestly? Unfair. What started as a "one and done" revenge hookup gets messy in the best way possible once he starts leaning into the whole payback aspect.
Shaw was 100% the star of the show. He’s got that cocky, playful hockey energy that drives me insane. The chemistry is instant, the banter is fire, and I loved watching him flip from "casual fling" to "fully obsessed" so fast.
Even for a novella, it doesn't skimp on anything. You get the heat, the laughs, and all the swoon of a rival romance done right. If you want something short, spicy, and super fun, you’ve gotta check this one out! Highly recommended!!!
5 Stars!
#LaurenBlakely, #TheRivalUpgrade, #HockeyRomance
March 8, 2026
“Let’s drink to the next guy being hotter, richer, smarter, nicer, and better in bed,” 🩷
The Rival Upgrade was such a fun little read! I absolutely love Love and Hockey Series and this novella was the perfect quick fix while waiting for the next full book. It’s short, flirty and packed with that playful banter and chemistry that Lauren Blakely does so well.
The revenge-fling setup made for a really entertaining story and Shaw’s confident British charm definitely added to the fun. I loved how fast-paced and easy this was to read, perfect for slipping in between heavier books when you want something light and romantic.
A speedy, feel-good addition to a series I already adore and now I’m even more excited for the next instalment!
Tropes & Themes
🏒 Hockey Romance
💘 Rival Romance
🔥 Revenge Fling
😏 Flirty Banter
⚡ Instant Chemistry
💋 Quick & Spicy
The Rival Upgrade was such a fun little read! I absolutely love Love and Hockey Series and this novella was the perfect quick fix while waiting for the next full book. It’s short, flirty and packed with that playful banter and chemistry that Lauren Blakely does so well.
The revenge-fling setup made for a really entertaining story and Shaw’s confident British charm definitely added to the fun. I loved how fast-paced and easy this was to read, perfect for slipping in between heavier books when you want something light and romantic.
A speedy, feel-good addition to a series I already adore and now I’m even more excited for the next instalment!
Tropes & Themes
🏒 Hockey Romance
💘 Rival Romance
🔥 Revenge Fling
😏 Flirty Banter
⚡ Instant Chemistry
💋 Quick & Spicy
February 14, 2026
3.75🏒🎤
Well, this was a fun and quick read. Definitely something to pick up when you've got free time. Honestly, I don't mind if it had been 100 pages longer or more.
Even though it's labeled as part of the Love and Hockey series, it really has nothing to do with it since none of the characters ever appear or are even mentioned. Not sure what Lauren Blakely's deal is with that, but hey, I guess we can thank her anyway.
Also, props to Erin Mallon and Shane East for narrating the main couple in duet style. Their voices brought the characters to life lively. And shout‑out also goes to Evan Parker as the supporting cast narrator, who added great texture to the story.
Well, this was a fun and quick read. Definitely something to pick up when you've got free time. Honestly, I don't mind if it had been 100 pages longer or more.
Even though it's labeled as part of the Love and Hockey series, it really has nothing to do with it since none of the characters ever appear or are even mentioned. Not sure what Lauren Blakely's deal is with that, but hey, I guess we can thank her anyway.
Also, props to Erin Mallon and Shane East for narrating the main couple in duet style. Their voices brought the characters to life lively. And shout‑out also goes to Evan Parker as the supporting cast narrator, who added great texture to the story.
February 14, 2026
This was absolutely great. Quick read and ever so funny. This is a great novella with all the fun banter that Lauren knows how to do. Camden discovers that her boyfriend is cheating on her in the worst way. She was so mad after finding all the text between him and another woman. After she kicks him out of her place he does an interview and of course he doesn’t speak nicely of her. After seeing the interview she’s determined to get Erik’s biggest rival to ask her out. A month later she gets exactly that. This is definitely a novella you need to read. I rate it 5 stars
February 25, 2026
Short & Sweet
Camden and Shaw just clicked! I love how they each thought they were the only one planning and scheming! 😂 Turns out they were perfect for each other. I love how I got to meet the ex and be rid of him quickly, with all the info in one go. Shaw was the perfect gentleman & Camden was the perfect spit fire. Although this was short and sweet, I got a glimpse at friendship, career goals/successes and SPICE. This short story was excellently written with EVERYTHING needed for a great story! Loooooved it!
Camden and Shaw just clicked! I love how they each thought they were the only one planning and scheming! 😂 Turns out they were perfect for each other. I love how I got to meet the ex and be rid of him quickly, with all the info in one go. Shaw was the perfect gentleman & Camden was the perfect spit fire. Although this was short and sweet, I got a glimpse at friendship, career goals/successes and SPICE. This short story was excellently written with EVERYTHING needed for a great story! Loooooved it!
February 14, 2026
Loved this!!
I loved this short story of Camden and Shaw!! She is dating Erik a hockey player and apparently all around player. She discover he's cheating and throws him out. She has a plan to hookup with his rival. But Shaw has eyes for her too. He asks her out of a date and she confesses to him. Only he doesn't care because he's interested in her too. Their chemistry is fire! I love these two of together. Loved this story and I highly recommend!
I loved this short story of Camden and Shaw!! She is dating Erik a hockey player and apparently all around player. She discover he's cheating and throws him out. She has a plan to hookup with his rival. But Shaw has eyes for her too. He asks her out of a date and she confesses to him. Only he doesn't care because he's interested in her too. Their chemistry is fire! I love these two of together. Loved this story and I highly recommend!
February 15, 2026
The Rival Upgrade is a short steamy novella in the same world as the Love and Hockey Series. Camden is a singer and dating a hockey player from a local hockey team.
Shaw is her boyfriend’s rival from the other local team. He is handsome and sexy and has a filthy mouth in the best way.
I loved how cute this novella was and how amazing the MMC was. I absolutely love everything by Lauren and this is no different.
Shaw is her boyfriend’s rival from the other local team. He is handsome and sexy and has a filthy mouth in the best way.
I loved how cute this novella was and how amazing the MMC was. I absolutely love everything by Lauren and this is no different.
February 15, 2026
Camden finds out her hockey boyfriend Erik Karlsson is cheating on her and brushes it off like it's no big deal. Camden kicks him out of her house & decides she's going to get her revenge. Instead of hitting him in his five hole she goes after the defenseman on the rival team, Shaw Coleman. Things starting heating up because Shaw has shown an interest in her too. The end of the book gets a bit spicy. This could've been 100 pages longer and I would've kept reading. I ate this book up! 🔥 🥵 🏒
February 18, 2026
2.5/5
I was really enjoying this, but the last chapter was super rushed. I know this is supposed to be a short story, but a couple more chapters would have helped & it would have still been considered a short story. I needed more. They didn’t even get to know each other on page. He didn’t even know her name until page 30 of 48. 😩 I know they’re a fictional couple but I don’t think they’re going to last. 🫣
I was really enjoying this, but the last chapter was super rushed. I know this is supposed to be a short story, but a couple more chapters would have helped & it would have still been considered a short story. I needed more. They didn’t even get to know each other on page. He didn’t even know her name until page 30 of 48. 😩 I know they’re a fictional couple but I don’t think they’re going to last. 🫣
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