The Game

by Sam Whitelock

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 20, 2026

Reviews

[Grace Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know it’s crazy to think that I finished this book in ONE. DAY. but I did! It was a great hockey romance between a grumpy NHL captain and the fiery & fiesta PR/Social Media Intern. I was so excited to be able to read the ARC for this title so a huge shoutout for allowing me to read it. It releases at the end of this month so get excited!!!

[butterfly_reading_effect · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 plus stars for this book 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thank you Sam Whitelock for the Arc 💖
This is easily one of my favorite sport romaces i have ever read. It is the perfect blend of witty banter, swoon moments, character growth, sport elements, spice and storyline all woven into a complete bingeable book that i devoured.

I love the unique take on hockey romance where we have the sport journalist intern and the captain of the nhl team fall in love. It has one of the best meet cue's i have read, he thinks she is an escourt, she gives an iconic slap and that is the start of some off the best
banter i have read 🫠🔥
This will leave you giggeling like a dork (please note this as warning for reading in public).
The chemistry is instant, the tension is heavy and the emotional deph beyond the physical attraction is everything.
The book is written as a dual pov which adds a lot to the story, i loved Alexander’s pov and seeing that it is so much more than just a physical attraction and how the relationship grows.
There is no 3rd act break up and when conflict arises it is resolved quickly and not dragged out.

The family and hockey team dynamic is both such a treat and adds so much to the story.
i love each and every one of the side characters especailly noah and i really hope liam and samantha will get their own book in the future!

Favorite quote as we all love a man who knows what he wants:

“Do you ever think about something other than sex, ass, and boobs?” I ask him.“Yeah, it mostly involves you, rings, babies, and dogs.”

[Nikky · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ Arc Review ✨

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - cap daddy 🔥

This hockey romance absolutely slapped 🥹 From the first chapter, I was hooked by the perfect blend of on-ice intensity and off-ice swoon. The chemistry between the leads is electric. The banter that made me laugh out loud, tension that hurt so good, and emotional depth that went way beyond.

The hockey world felt authentic without being overwhelming. The romance was spicy, tender, and deeply satisfying, with a payoff that had me grinning like I’d just watched a game-winning goal in overtime.

If you love strong characters, side characters that you will fall in love with, and a broody hockey hero who falls hard, this book is a must-read. I devoured it and immediately recommend it to anyone who is after a hockey romance book.

Five stars, no notes. 🏒💙 Release date: 20th February

[Amanda Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

**I WAS GIVEN THE CHANCE TO READ THIS BOOK AS AN ARC**

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
HEA ✅️

HOLY WOW. I started this book this morning. I have completed NOTHING else except this book. It was spicy and sweet and so good.
Alexander and Sarah are so precious! the build up drove me insane but it was worth the wait. I'd say more, but I'm immediately going to get more books by this author!

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this in one sitting and I am not okay about it. The Game is sharp, spicy, addictive, and absolutely unhinged in the best way. From the very first accusation, yes, the escort one, I knew this book was going to be chaos and chemistry and I was right.

Sarah Parker is THAT girl. Smart, professional, ambitious, and absolutely not here for nonsense. Watching her march into an NHL organization and immediately hold her ground had me cheering. And the slap? Iconic. Career-defining. No notes. I loved that she never dimmed herself to make Alexander comfortable. She challenged him, pushed him, and refused to be anything other than exactly who she is.

Alexander McGregor is a walking red flag with a redemption arc I ate up. Arrogant, powerful, used to control, and then completely undone by one woman who refuses to play by his rules. His POV was everything. The regret. The obsession. The very real realization that he messed up and now has to earn his way back into her orbit. Watching him work for it was deeply satisfying.

The chemistry between them is instant and dangerous. Every interaction felt like standing too close to an open flame. Workplace tension, power dynamics, forced proximity, all layered with banter that crackles. This book understands that attraction isn’t just physical, it’s ego, wit, friction, and timing.

The hockey world backdrop was perfectly done. Enough detail to feel immersive without slowing the story, and Alexander as captain? Yeah. That just hits different. Add in the social media strategist angle and it felt modern, relevant, and fun.

Fast-paced, messy, sexy, and completely bingeable. The Game is one mistake spiraling into an irresistible love story and I could not put it down. If you love hockey romance with sharp dialogue, strong FMCs, and MMCs who fall hard after screwing up, this one is a must-read. 🏒🔥📖

[TheBoozyBookDragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alright let me get into this book review, I really liked this book and enjoyed both the characters very much and it was refreshing to see a strong willed FMC that doesn’t take any ish from anyone! What I also liked about this FMC is that at the fist sign of trouble she didn’t just break things off she stormed over to this man and called him out straight away! We love a communication trope, (if that’s a thing), or anything that doesn’t lead to the dreaded 3rd act breakup all for something that could’ve been a quick little chitty chat.
Both characters are very confident in themselves and just made each other better, there was no typical power struggle and this beautiful man just listened like the sweet man he is but when I came to his woman’s bedtime routine (IYKWIM) he was all up in her business and the only thing he wanted to hear was his name, his actual name, and isn’t that want we all essentially want? A man in the streets and a fre@k in the sheets if you will.
Whenever these two see each other I feel like everyone else gets hit by proxy and that’s why I picked this song as I imagine every time the FMC sees the MMC she’s got this song going through her mind, I know I would!
If you love a hockey romance, that’s sweet will a little dash of spice, a strong minded, independent FMC and a doting MMC with a n@ughty side this one is for you!

[Riley Vanderhoot · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5 Stars)

*The Game* by Sam Whitelock was such a satisfying slow-burn hockey romance.

I loved both the FMC and MMC, which doesn’t always happen for me — but here it absolutely did. Alexander is truly a one-of-a-kind MMC. He’s sweet and bossy in all the best ways, protective without being overbearing, confident without being arrogant. He just works. His presence on the page is strong, but there’s depth to him that makes you root for him even harder.

The FMC is feminine and strong in a way that feels authentic. Her character makes sense. Nothing felt forced or exaggerated just for the sake of making a point — she felt real, layered, and easy to connect with.

The supporting cast was memorable too. I especially need Liam’s story. Immediately. Please and thank you.

The spice was well done and made sense within the plot. It wasn’t randomly thrown in to fill space — it built naturally with the relationship and added to the emotional progression instead of distracting from it.

And can we talk about the fact that there wasn’t a third-act breakup? I kept bracing myself for one… and it never came. Such a refreshing choice, and it made the ending feel earned and solid instead of dramatic for drama’s sake.

Thank you to Sam Whitelock for allowing me to be part of your ARC team. I loved this book and can’t wait to read more from you!

[Vanessa Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This hockey romance was the book!! I devoured this book in one day and I just couldn’t put it down. (House chores what are those? You will forget while reading this book! ) thank you Sam for letting me be apart of the arc team.

❤️hockey romance
❤️strangers to lovers
❤️surprise pregnancy
❤️spicy spice
❤️slow burn / buildup tension
❤️grief (parent loss past)
❤️5/5 stars!!
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ like ok dang! I was here for it!!


Alexander our hockey captain. He was a cocky lady’s man until he met his match Sarah the new social media girl. And her first encounter with him was wild!! Like dang I would have slap him as well mistaking her for a hooker!! Scream!!😱. But from that day on he was obsessed and stoped at nothing to get her to be his.

Our girl Sarah was so into Alexander but was so closed off from men and love cause she knew if she got with him. He could burn her and brake her heart and she knew he would destroy her. she couldn’t make herself go for it. But he was so thoughtful and loving and just want to be in her orbit. He wanted so much more!

There love is intense and hot and so much chemistry it was wild.

[CuriousPigeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Reader Confessional – The Game by Sam Whitelock

I went into The Game curious.
I came out completely obsessed.

This book hooked me fast and never let go. The pacing is sharp, the tension is addictive, and every chapter feels intentional. It has that dangerous “just one more chapter” pull that turns into hours lost and zero regrets.

What really stood out to me was how immersive the story felt. The stakes are high, the twists land perfectly, and the emotional investment builds naturally until you’re fully locked in. I was constantly engaged, constantly guessing, and loving every second of the ride.

The Game is smart, gripping, and wildly entertaining. It knows exactly how to keep the reader on edge and delivers in a way that feels both satisfying and memorable. By the end, I was left buzzing and thinking about it long after I closed the book.

If you enjoy stories that pull you in, keep you guessing, and refuse to let go, this one is absolutely worth your time.

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

[Kourt · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a clunky start of wooden conversion and a lot of robotic description of characters and explanations of the setting. I was expecting more drama with all of the backstory of her dad being in the NHL, her mom's death and there is a dedicated department for negative press. They were not important for the future of this story. She's close with her family and they're all near her campus in Chicago - which for both, family is important. A lot of this would have been nice in conversation rather than explaining. Also, there needs another BETA read. But by chapter 5, it starts to gain traction as you start to like the challenge of Alexander and Sarah. And as soon as it hit it's stride, I had the book done in 2 hours. It's a sweet (sex-fueled) little HEA with zero turmoil - which is a nice change of pace. Aside from their little banter and tension in the beginning, there's no question on the characters' intentions and motivations. Overall, a cute, sweet read. *Personally, being originally from Tinley Park, it'd have been nice for at least one local or Chicago related reference or scene.

[Manda Doorley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book. This is one of those ONE day reads.
Sarah- Intern with the local Chicago NHL team heading up social media on a player level. Growing up the daughter of an NHL player, she is passionate about the game and excited for this opportunity. She has been meeting with all the players, except the captain who keeps rescheduling their meeting. To say that the first meeting was an epic failure is an understatement. From that point on, she is prickly to him, refusing to call him by name. What she is struggling most with is the attraction she feels every time she is around him.
Alexander- The team captain who has been swamped with the season, promotional events and his apartment being under construction forcing him to live in a hotel during this part of the season. His first interaction with Sarah is not his finest moment. He is now determined to win her over and have her all to himself.

[Taylor Wodnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hockey romance with the new social media buzz. I’d rate this book as a 3 on the spice meter. Was a slow burn for about half the book then, oh gosh, the spice begins and stays for the rest!

Forced proximity, enemies to lovers, workplace romance.

I think my favorite flirtation and anticipation during the book is Sarah not saying Alexander’s name to him. Does he get her hot enough to finally let it slip??

I really enjoyed Sarahs relationship with her coworkers and that she seems to be a strong female character. She stands up for whatever she wants, appointments especially. Mannn does that one backfire on her 😂.

Alexander is the team captain and they are currently in a slump. How is he supposed to juggle figuring out how to help his team and getting the girl he wants.

I really like that this story emphasizes that the little things matter. I think it’s important to showcase that in life. I also like the boundaries that are set and followed, especially being a female working in a male dominated field. It really resonated with me.

This was a quick one day read. Perfect if you want a little spice and happy kinda forbidden love interest.

Overall I’d say ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 . Enjoyable and fun with some spice mixed in! Would definitely read her other book!

Thank you for the gifted copy, loved it! @authorsamwhit

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the privilege of reading this as an arc.

Things I Liked:
- The MMC. I was usually grinning during his POVs. His communication was also done very wonderfully.
- The friendships the MMC had.
- The FMC's Dad and best friend.

Negative thoughts under the spoiler.

Things that Could've Been Better:
- The hockey. There were a few things that made me wonder just how much of a fan the author was of hockey.
- The FMC and her fears over getting into a relationship. It takes up until like 65% of the book for anything to move forward because of those fears.
- The pacing. Once the two characters got together, it felt like there was no plot, just sex. And normally, that's fine, but --
- The writing felt very tell, don't show, especially in the beginning, so reading the last quarter of the book was kind of just.... meh.


Sex Stuff:
- 4+ explicit sccenes
- Bondage, spanking, dirty talk.

[crystal c · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give this a 4 ⭐️ This was different than other hockey books I read in a few ways. Sarah and Alexander had a rough first impressions to say the least but the game they played until like half way through the book I haven’t read before and was intrigued. Alexander wasn’t your typical captain you read about either. There was some mention of closeness between the team mates but not as much as other books. The main focus was their evolving professional and personal relationship which was nice, you didn’t have to focus on much else or like often get side tracked with a side story. I like that this is a stand alone with interconnections with other books such as the formula 1 characters. I enjoyed this book and was often smirking at their interactions.

[Soyiah Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have the honor to ARC read The Game by Sam Whitelock
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I absolutely loved getting to know Alex McGregor and Sarah Parker. Their story had everything emotional highs and lows, tension, chemistry, and those moments that make you laugh out loud when you least expect it.

I’m still not over the fact that he literally thought she was a hooker 😂 The misunderstanding had me shaking my head, especially knowing it was all set up by his teammate Noah.

If you’re looking for an under-350-page hockey slow burn with heart, humor, and just the right amount of angst, this book is perfect for you!

Tropes
Workplace Romance
Black Cat FMCXNHL Captain
Slow burn
Forced Proximity
Enemies to lovers
Open door Spice

[Teri Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sweetest story. The FMC is trying to do her job. The MMC mistakes her for someone else. And, their story goes from there. This is such a romantic story. Very little drama. No suspense. It’s not that type of book. The spice is really good. The two main characters were easy to like. This story was simple and uncomplicated. It read at a quick pace and was easy to follow and digest. This is one of the types of books I really love to read. There is also found family in this book. I loved this read. If you want a book that is easy, gentle and sweet, this would be the one. I would definitely recommend this book.

[Cope Durfee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Epica Book PR and Sam Whitelock for the eARC of The Game. I loved the slow build of the tension and yearning in the story. Sarah and I would be besties for sure. I love Alexander from the minute he took that slap like a champ 😂. I loved the dynamic Alexander has with his brothers, more from them please. I really liked getting to see all the characters interact and become three dimensional. I hope to see Samantha and Liam get their own story. Over all I loved the story and characters in this book.

[sky ~miss.littlereader~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

🅰🆁🅲 🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆

⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Game by Sam Whitelock

I had the honor of reading the ARC and I must say, this is a debut book that is worth reading!
This hockey romance was an absolute delightful, pairing a grumpy NHL captain with a fiery, Social Media intern. Sarah and Alexander were incredibly fun to read, their banter sparkled, their dynamic felt effortless, and their chemistry was undeniable from the very first moment they shared the page. Watching their relationship unfold was both entertaining and swoon worthy, making this story impossible to put down.

[Nat’s Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another hockey romance that I have fallen in love with? Check. Sarah and Alexander were so fun to read about. I loved their relationship and the relationship Sarah had with the other players. The spice was also very good! I would recommend this novel to those who like hockey romances, a workplace romance, and a slightly possessive MMC. Thank you to Epica Book PR and the author for letting me part of this ARC.

Please note all reviews are my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Cristina M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve received this ARC, and absolutely loved it!

Is the first sport romance of the year and the first time reading anything by Sam, 100% recommended.

The story was so easy to read and difficult to put down, Captain Captain Captain, his determination and honestly, the saying when you know you known? Well Alexander baby, you put everyone to shame at this point.

Will be reading more of Sam’s work, no doubts in my mind💯

[Britt Balliet · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Read ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a simple, dual POV, hockey romance between the captain of an NHL team and a social media intern. The language used is surface level with non-complex dialogue. It’s an easy read, and you could definitely finish this book in one day. I really enjoyed the Calvin Klein and Pink Lillies scene. Overall, this was a good read but it fell short for me due to predictably and lack of anticipation.

[Shanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed The Game and it's characters. It was a fun story with fun banter and strong relationships. It was a delicious slow burn that was worth the build up. I definitely look forward to any future books in this series, and there was definitely hints of books to come.

Thank you to Epica Books PR for the ARC. This has been my voluntary review.

[Hannah M Burrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky to be given the chance to review The Game, of my own accord, through being offered an eARC.

This was such a good, easy read.
I really enjoyed Alexander’s POV chapters, they really had me giggling. Sarah’s character grew on me as the book progressed, but as a couple they worked so well together.
I’m so curious about Samantha and Liam though! Perhaps another story to come?

[Jayden McIntosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me giggling throughout it! The constant banter between Alexander of better known as “Captain”by Sarah was amazing, and their chemistry was beyond obvious the second they were on page together! They were such fun characters to read about, I definitely didn’t want it to end!

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is simple. I like the characters.

Sarah is a motivated woman and she shows how much she loves her work. Alexander strives for what he wants and ensures that he gets it. The dynamic of the team is also fun. All in all it was a good read.

ARC received from the Author. Thank you so much.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick, cute little read. I did enjoy it, the chemistry was there for the main characters, but at times it felt rather predictable. If you enjoy hockey romances and you need a quick little read, check this one out!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC! I really enjoyed this book.

[Brooke Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

such a great read. i love how the male character fell for her hard and she played hard to get. alao liked the banter back and forth between the characters.