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Penalty Shot: Playmaker Book One
Jace Hartley is hockey royalty—record-breaking winger, face of the Northgate Wolves, the kind of player who sells jerseys and fills arenas. He's also hiding secrets that could end injuries he won't admit to, a sexuality he's terrified to claim, and performance anxiety that's tearing him apart from the inside.
Grant Sutherland is the last-chance coach brought in to save a broken team. He's supposed to be building systems. Maintaining discipline. Keeping his professional distance.
He's not supposed to notice the way Jace's hands shake after a bad shift. The panic attacks hidden in empty locker rooms. The desperation in his eyes when he looks at Grant like he's the only person who truly sees him.
And Grant is definitely not supposed to want him.
But when the pressure reaches a breaking point, Grant makes a choice that crosses every line he swore he'd never cross. And somewhere between professional duty and something far more dangerous, the boundaries between coach and player begin to blur into something they can't take back.
The season is reaching its breaking point. The stakes have never been higher. And what started as protection is becoming something neither of them can control—or afford to lose.
They say you can't have everything.
But Jace Hartley doesn't know how to lose.
And Grant is done pretending he can walk away.
PENALTY SHOT is a high-heat MM sports romance featuring a forbidden coach/player relationship. First in the Playmaker series—each book features a new couple with guaranteed HEA.
Grant Sutherland is the last-chance coach brought in to save a broken team. He's supposed to be building systems. Maintaining discipline. Keeping his professional distance.
He's not supposed to notice the way Jace's hands shake after a bad shift. The panic attacks hidden in empty locker rooms. The desperation in his eyes when he looks at Grant like he's the only person who truly sees him.
And Grant is definitely not supposed to want him.
But when the pressure reaches a breaking point, Grant makes a choice that crosses every line he swore he'd never cross. And somewhere between professional duty and something far more dangerous, the boundaries between coach and player begin to blur into something they can't take back.
The season is reaching its breaking point. The stakes have never been higher. And what started as protection is becoming something neither of them can control—or afford to lose.
They say you can't have everything.
But Jace Hartley doesn't know how to lose.
And Grant is done pretending he can walk away.
PENALTY SHOT is a high-heat MM sports romance featuring a forbidden coach/player relationship. First in the Playmaker series—each book features a new couple with guaranteed HEA.
444 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 20, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
March 28, 2026
Finding hard to rate my feelings about this book accurately. I really enjoyed the first two-thirds of this book - the tension, the suppressed longing, the forbiddenness of the relationship, the eventual pay-off (like hoo boy was they smut smutty), but then is absolutely fell apart for me in the final act.
So it's a hockey coach v player romance featuring Jace, a closeted star player on a professional Canadian team who is a little too hard on himself, and Grant, a no-nonsense coach who takes the reigns with the aim of leading the struggling team to victory. These two have pretty instant chemistry and spend the entire first half of the book dancing around each other, with Grant in particular trying to maintain professional distance. But this is a romance, so add a bit of forced proximity and they embark on a forbidden and extremely steamy affair that is not as secret as they think. Okay, so far so good, I was living for the filth, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
But then we get to the part where these two have to publicly confront the nature of their relationship and I was so annoyed by how unrealistically this was handled. I mean, I know I'm getting old when I agree with the team boss guy and the PR lady that it is in fact extremely inappropriate for a coach to be fucking one of his players. They act so victimized like how dare the press be interested in this extremely juicy scandal when they are literally making the dumbest fucking decisions and not being discrete AT ALL. Grant is like, I will not let this affect my professionalism. Um, too late buddy. I'm sorry, you cannot have you cake and eat it, this is crazy. Sure, you want your MCs to have a happy ending, and they get it, but they way people acted like this is some normal thing that happened felt like pure fantasy. Imagine this happened irl! Imagine! With no real consequences? What?
I do want to give an honourable mention to the smut again, because it was fire. There's a bit of D/s daddy vibe, watersports and a notable breeding kink that was like, quite a lot to deal with (fans self). You definitely wouldn't guess that Jace was hiding all that freakiness under his stoic star hockey player face.
There's also quite a bit of actual hockey in this book, which I can take or leave, but I appreciate that it was a big part of the story.
Overall not a terrible book. I liked the taboo aspects, but I just felt that there was too shallow an exploration of what a relationship like this would really look like. But I wouldn't mid reading more from this author.
So it's a hockey coach v player romance featuring Jace, a closeted star player on a professional Canadian team who is a little too hard on himself, and Grant, a no-nonsense coach who takes the reigns with the aim of leading the struggling team to victory. These two have pretty instant chemistry and spend the entire first half of the book dancing around each other, with Grant in particular trying to maintain professional distance. But this is a romance, so add a bit of forced proximity and they embark on a forbidden and extremely steamy affair that is not as secret as they think. Okay, so far so good, I was living for the filth, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
But then we get to the part where these two have to publicly confront the nature of their relationship and I was so annoyed by how unrealistically this was handled. I mean, I know I'm getting old when I agree with the team boss guy and the PR lady that it is in fact extremely inappropriate for a coach to be fucking one of his players. They act so victimized like how dare the press be interested in this extremely juicy scandal when they are literally making the dumbest fucking decisions and not being discrete AT ALL. Grant is like, I will not let this affect my professionalism. Um, too late buddy. I'm sorry, you cannot have you cake and eat it, this is crazy. Sure, you want your MCs to have a happy ending, and they get it, but they way people acted like this is some normal thing that happened felt like pure fantasy. Imagine this happened irl! Imagine! With no real consequences? What?
I do want to give an honourable mention to the smut again, because it was fire. There's a bit of D/s daddy vibe, watersports and a notable breeding kink that was like, quite a lot to deal with (fans self). You definitely wouldn't guess that Jace was hiding all that freakiness under his stoic star hockey player face.
There's also quite a bit of actual hockey in this book, which I can take or leave, but I appreciate that it was a big part of the story.
Overall not a terrible book. I liked the taboo aspects, but I just felt that there was too shallow an exploration of what a relationship like this would really look like. But I wouldn't mid reading more from this author.
Did not finish
March 20, 2026DNF @ 35%
I wanted to love this but alas I did not. I need a diagram for how chapter 9 worked because prec*m dripping out of Grant's athletic shorts into Jace's mouth, while underneath a desk was wild. Add in the recycled shower scene and I saw all I needed to see.
I wanted to love this but alas I did not. I need a diagram for how chapter 9 worked because prec*m dripping out of Grant's athletic shorts into Jace's mouth, while underneath a desk was wild. Add in the recycled shower scene and I saw all I needed to see.
Review of advance copy
I was blessed to read an Advanced Reader Copy of Penalty Shot. All opinions are my own and freely given.
When Grant Sutherland takes a job coaching the Northgate Wolves, he knows it’s his last chance at staying in the hockey world. With his past hounding his heels, the team’s general manager breathing down his neck, and a team who doesn’t trust a new coach, Grant knows he has his work cut out for him. What he doesn’t account for is Jace Hartley, the franchise’s star forward. Quiet, steady, and determined, Jace holds the world, and the success of his team, on his shoulders. But Grant can see where Jace’s confidence has waned, sees him hesitate and struggle to put on a brave face. Grant tries to keep his distance, but with Jace begging for extra practice time and Grant’s bleeding heart, it’s nigh on impossible. Spending time with Jace is a double edged sword. On the one hand, Jace is an incredible player and a pleasure to coach, and on the other, he is a walking temptation. As time passes, and even as they try to ignore their attraction, the tension between them builds until it’s undeniable. But when Jace is injured on the ice, Grant can barely keep his cool, and when the medical diagnosis comes back, Jace blames him for the necessary recovery time. All Grant wants to do is keep Jace safe, from himself and his career, if necessary. But even Grant can’t prevent every decision he’s made since joining the Wolves from blowing up in his face. Can his relationship with Jace survive the fallout? Or will the media and the hockey world chew them up and spit them out?
This was a really great book and an impressive debut! The writing was honestly so good. I could picture everything clearly, especially the hockey scenes. The banter was fantastic and kept me laughing, and the similes and metaphors were spot on. I have so many highlighted lines that hit me just right. I felt like the hockey, exercise, and medical parts were accurately written and really fit the storyline.
I enjoyed the characters a lot. I liked Grant and his stoicism. The fact that he coached the team in the way they needed to be coached even if they didn’t like it all the time. I liked that he took care of Jace and looked out for him even when Jace didn’t want him to. And I really liked that his relationship never altered his integrity when it came to the team. My favorite character was probably Jace. He had so much to deal with, and I felt that his character arc was real and relatable. I liked that he was stubborn and that he pushed himself and never gave up. And I liked that he was all in with Grant from the get go.
I also enjoyed the side characters, especially Finn and Rook. I was glad that Jace had them in his corner, the whole team, really, and that they were there for him and supported him when everything was crashing down around him.
There were a few things I did not like as much. I didn’t feel like I really knew Grant or Jace until after Jace’s injury. There were scenes early on that set up the tension between them. I totally believed that. But I was not sold on the romance building because we only got those scenes and nothing in between. I did not feel like, at least at the beginning, that we got enough of Jace’s or Grant’s thoughts about each other. Like they were always aware of the attraction between them, but I wanted to know what made Grant and Jace like each other outside of the physical attraction. I don’t feel like we got that. It was a little better after the injury, but I’m still not sure there was enough. I also did not like that Jace was still so hurt and he and Grant got rough and kinky. The timeline was a little unclear, but it seemed like it was right after the injury that they finally got intimate, and I just thought that they would be a little softer at least. I personally am not a big fan of the Daddy kink. I can push through usually, and this wasn’t too bad, but again, we didn’t get their thoughts on any of this, and it seemed to come as kind of a surprise. Finally, I didn’t really understand why Grant and Jace kept breaking protocol and didn’t even try to hide their relationship. It was still new and they could have taken steps to follow the rules, but they didn’t. I really liked Jace’s comeback to the team, but it didn’t make sense that he would work so hard during that one prelim game and then we don’t see whether the team kept doing well and winning. I felt like we ended the book too soon and at a weird place. The last few scenes were cute and intimate, but it didn’t make sense for the trajectory of the book. So I guess what I am trying to say is that the timeline didn’t always work for this story, and I wish we would have gotten a more cohesive ending to tie up all of the loose ends. I want to know what the consequences were and what the media was saying and what Paul would do, and we didn’t get any of that.
Despite my criticisms, I still really enjoyed this book. As I said before, the writing was absolutely fantastic. Although not all of it was my kink, the spice was hot and the tension between Grant and Jace was exquisite. I just wanted a little bit more of the characters’ stream of consciousness to understand what motivated their decisions. I did enjoy the characters and am interested to see who Rook was texting at the end and what’s going to happen next. Overall I give this one 4.5/5 stars.
When Grant Sutherland takes a job coaching the Northgate Wolves, he knows it’s his last chance at staying in the hockey world. With his past hounding his heels, the team’s general manager breathing down his neck, and a team who doesn’t trust a new coach, Grant knows he has his work cut out for him. What he doesn’t account for is Jace Hartley, the franchise’s star forward. Quiet, steady, and determined, Jace holds the world, and the success of his team, on his shoulders. But Grant can see where Jace’s confidence has waned, sees him hesitate and struggle to put on a brave face. Grant tries to keep his distance, but with Jace begging for extra practice time and Grant’s bleeding heart, it’s nigh on impossible. Spending time with Jace is a double edged sword. On the one hand, Jace is an incredible player and a pleasure to coach, and on the other, he is a walking temptation. As time passes, and even as they try to ignore their attraction, the tension between them builds until it’s undeniable. But when Jace is injured on the ice, Grant can barely keep his cool, and when the medical diagnosis comes back, Jace blames him for the necessary recovery time. All Grant wants to do is keep Jace safe, from himself and his career, if necessary. But even Grant can’t prevent every decision he’s made since joining the Wolves from blowing up in his face. Can his relationship with Jace survive the fallout? Or will the media and the hockey world chew them up and spit them out?
This was a really great book and an impressive debut! The writing was honestly so good. I could picture everything clearly, especially the hockey scenes. The banter was fantastic and kept me laughing, and the similes and metaphors were spot on. I have so many highlighted lines that hit me just right. I felt like the hockey, exercise, and medical parts were accurately written and really fit the storyline.
I enjoyed the characters a lot. I liked Grant and his stoicism. The fact that he coached the team in the way they needed to be coached even if they didn’t like it all the time. I liked that he took care of Jace and looked out for him even when Jace didn’t want him to. And I really liked that his relationship never altered his integrity when it came to the team. My favorite character was probably Jace. He had so much to deal with, and I felt that his character arc was real and relatable. I liked that he was stubborn and that he pushed himself and never gave up. And I liked that he was all in with Grant from the get go.
I also enjoyed the side characters, especially Finn and Rook. I was glad that Jace had them in his corner, the whole team, really, and that they were there for him and supported him when everything was crashing down around him.
There were a few things I did not like as much. I didn’t feel like I really knew Grant or Jace until after Jace’s injury. There were scenes early on that set up the tension between them. I totally believed that. But I was not sold on the romance building because we only got those scenes and nothing in between. I did not feel like, at least at the beginning, that we got enough of Jace’s or Grant’s thoughts about each other. Like they were always aware of the attraction between them, but I wanted to know what made Grant and Jace like each other outside of the physical attraction. I don’t feel like we got that. It was a little better after the injury, but I’m still not sure there was enough. I also did not like that Jace was still so hurt and he and Grant got rough and kinky. The timeline was a little unclear, but it seemed like it was right after the injury that they finally got intimate, and I just thought that they would be a little softer at least. I personally am not a big fan of the Daddy kink. I can push through usually, and this wasn’t too bad, but again, we didn’t get their thoughts on any of this, and it seemed to come as kind of a surprise. Finally, I didn’t really understand why Grant and Jace kept breaking protocol and didn’t even try to hide their relationship. It was still new and they could have taken steps to follow the rules, but they didn’t. I really liked Jace’s comeback to the team, but it didn’t make sense that he would work so hard during that one prelim game and then we don’t see whether the team kept doing well and winning. I felt like we ended the book too soon and at a weird place. The last few scenes were cute and intimate, but it didn’t make sense for the trajectory of the book. So I guess what I am trying to say is that the timeline didn’t always work for this story, and I wish we would have gotten a more cohesive ending to tie up all of the loose ends. I want to know what the consequences were and what the media was saying and what Paul would do, and we didn’t get any of that.
Despite my criticisms, I still really enjoyed this book. As I said before, the writing was absolutely fantastic. Although not all of it was my kink, the spice was hot and the tension between Grant and Jace was exquisite. I just wanted a little bit more of the characters’ stream of consciousness to understand what motivated their decisions. I did enjoy the characters and am interested to see who Rook was texting at the end and what’s going to happen next. Overall I give this one 4.5/5 stars.
Review of advance copy
I went into this book with high hopes, and was raving about it until about the 50% mark. The first half deserves 4 stars for the slow burn, attraction and tension between the 2 MCs. I was happy to read a hockey romance that actually featured hockey, and Grant was very believable as a coach. The yearning between Grant (coach) and Jace (player) was really great. It had all the best parts about a forbidden relationship plus hockey and I was hooked!
Unfortunately, the second half was difficult to finish. I read romance for escapism and enjoyment, and the second half lost me because it was distinctly un-fun to read. I'm being vague here to avoid spoilers but there were a number of obstacles introduced into their relationship, and a point of conflict between the two that was well written, but tough to read. The MCs made some baffling choices and the detailed narrative that I appreciated in the first half bogged the pace down at the worst time. As the questionable decisions compounded, I cared less and less about the outcome. By the time everything wrapped up in an exceptionally neat, fluffy little bow, I had lost interest entirely. I can't quite put my finger on exactly what it was in the second half that made my opinion change so drastically but I think it was the choices of Grant and Jace. Jace decides to risk his career and his health to protect Grant's job, but then the pair of them engage in some reckless behaviour that exposes their relationship completely unnecessarily. I had a really hard time understanding why anyone would risk everything to keep things quiet, but then turn around and flaunt their relationship to the world. While these two get their HEA and we know they are end goals,
Lastly, I try to never fault an author for including a kink that I don't personally like. What I do fault an author for is failing to list kinks in the content note in the beginning of the book. I don't like feeling blindsided, and the kink in this book came out of nowhere once Grant and Jace started hooking up. I'd recommend adding a list of kinks to the book because there's at least one in this book that won't be for everyone.
I enjoyed reading this debut at first, and I think it was overall well written. While the second half wasn't for me, I think others may enjoy it. This one's for the hockey fans out there!
Rating: 3 stars (4 for the first half, 2 for the second)
Angst: 3/5
Steam: 2/5
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
“And the worst part?” My voice cracked. “The absolute worst fucking part is that I can't even have this. Can't even have you. Because you're right—if anyone found out, it wouldn't just end your career. It would end mine. The media would eat us alive.' They'd make me the villain and you the predator, and we'd both be done.” Tears were burning at the corners of my eyes, and I was so fucking tired of holding them back.
Unfortunately, the second half was difficult to finish. I read romance for escapism and enjoyment, and the second half lost me because it was distinctly un-fun to read. I'm being vague here to avoid spoilers but there were a number of obstacles introduced into their relationship, and a point of conflict between the two that was well written, but tough to read. The MCs made some baffling choices and the detailed narrative that I appreciated in the first half bogged the pace down at the worst time. As the questionable decisions compounded, I cared less and less about the outcome. By the time everything wrapped up in an exceptionally neat, fluffy little bow, I had lost interest entirely. I can't quite put my finger on exactly what it was in the second half that made my opinion change so drastically but I think it was the choices of Grant and Jace. Jace decides to risk his career and his health to protect Grant's job, but then the pair of them engage in some reckless behaviour that exposes their relationship completely unnecessarily. I had a really hard time understanding why anyone would risk everything to keep things quiet, but then turn around and flaunt their relationship to the world. While these two get their HEA and we know they are end goals,
He searched my face for a long moment, then kissed me. Slow and deep and tasting like sex and trust and something that felt dangerously close to more than we'd agreed on. When we broke apart, he smiled—small and genuine and so fucking beautiful it made my chest ache.
Lastly, I try to never fault an author for including a kink that I don't personally like. What I do fault an author for is failing to list kinks in the content note in the beginning of the book. I don't like feeling blindsided, and the kink in this book came out of nowhere once Grant and Jace started hooking up. I'd recommend adding a list of kinks to the book because there's at least one in this book that won't be for everyone.
I enjoyed reading this debut at first, and I think it was overall well written. While the second half wasn't for me, I think others may enjoy it. This one's for the hockey fans out there!
Rating: 3 stars (4 for the first half, 2 for the second)
Angst: 3/5
Steam: 2/5
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
March 21, 2026
ARC review
Book: Penalty Shot by Riley Keane (20/03/26).
Penalty Shot it's the debut book of Riley Keane that tells the love story between Jace Heartley, the star of the Wolves, with Grant Sutherland, the new coach of the hockey team who came from another hockey team fired over a secret scandal, wrapping us in a book filled with sweet meetings, sexual tension and desire and dilemma about if they are up to risk everything with possibility of losing all they care about.
The book goes deeper in themes like on-page injury and anxiety/performance-pressure themes, uneven power dynamic (coach/player) so be careful reading some of these if you are not used to it, but also a really steamy romance, moments that will left breathless and one of the most beautiful love story i've seen in a while. 🥺❤️
The 29-chapter narrative plus an Epilogue is narrated in the first person, and there's a dual Pov between the characters but nothing that's going to mess up the understanding of its situations and events in its 377 pages.
It was my first sports romance read in a while and I loved it too much and I'm willing to say that Grant and Jace now have a special place in my heart forever. I'm so sad that i finally finished the book but at the same time thankful for having the chance of following their love story (if someday you decide to write some bonus content about them please warn me, Riley 😭) but I'm really excited and curious about the next book and i have a little guess of who could be (praying to be our Captain's book🙏).
I'd like to say more about it but i'm cutting my speech here so i can avoid to give accidental spoilers, i want only to say that since the first pages that book had already catched my heart.
Penalty Shot is definetely a five-star read to me and i'm giving all my love and support to Riley Keane for such amazing debut book. ❤️☺️
Penalty Shot is the perfect book for you if you like hockey taboo romance , to see a hockey star and his coach as a couple, a lot sexual tension, a low-medium angst, coming out from on of the MCs, a forbidden romance that could cost them all and incredible and a beautiful love story that will definetely has a place in my mind and in my heart. ❤️❤️🥺
Book: Penalty Shot by Riley Keane (20/03/26).
Penalty Shot it's the debut book of Riley Keane that tells the love story between Jace Heartley, the star of the Wolves, with Grant Sutherland, the new coach of the hockey team who came from another hockey team fired over a secret scandal, wrapping us in a book filled with sweet meetings, sexual tension and desire and dilemma about if they are up to risk everything with possibility of losing all they care about.
The book goes deeper in themes like on-page injury and anxiety/performance-pressure themes, uneven power dynamic (coach/player) so be careful reading some of these if you are not used to it, but also a really steamy romance, moments that will left breathless and one of the most beautiful love story i've seen in a while. 🥺❤️
The 29-chapter narrative plus an Epilogue is narrated in the first person, and there's a dual Pov between the characters but nothing that's going to mess up the understanding of its situations and events in its 377 pages.
It was my first sports romance read in a while and I loved it too much and I'm willing to say that Grant and Jace now have a special place in my heart forever. I'm so sad that i finally finished the book but at the same time thankful for having the chance of following their love story (if someday you decide to write some bonus content about them please warn me, Riley 😭) but I'm really excited and curious about the next book and i have a little guess of who could be (praying to be our Captain's book🙏).
I'd like to say more about it but i'm cutting my speech here so i can avoid to give accidental spoilers, i want only to say that since the first pages that book had already catched my heart.
Penalty Shot is definetely a five-star read to me and i'm giving all my love and support to Riley Keane for such amazing debut book. ❤️☺️
Penalty Shot is the perfect book for you if you like hockey taboo romance , to see a hockey star and his coach as a couple, a lot sexual tension, a low-medium angst, coming out from on of the MCs, a forbidden romance that could cost them all and incredible and a beautiful love story that will definetely has a place in my mind and in my heart. ❤️❤️🥺
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"Penalty Shot" by Riley Keane is an M/M Hockey romance featuring a coach/player dynamic and a 15 year age gap.
Follow Jace as he encounters his new coach, Grant, a man that commands a room and has a problematic work history.
Eventually, their attraction becomes too difficult to resist and they must face the realities of keeping their love a secret.
Ratings:
Overall: 5/5 hearts - Honestly, give me an age gap, forbidden love, deep characters, good writing, and nasty smut and I'm gonna give it a 5. I'm a simple girl.
Peppers: 4/5 - I debated between a 3 and 4 here. There is most definitely spice in this book, but plot does take up most of the page count.
Spice: 5/5 - I have 0 notes. The spice may trigger or "ick" some. Specifically the "watersports" scenes. But honestly, I found every scene to be fantastic and they definitely had me a little hot under the collar.
Plot: 5/5 -
- Storyline: The storyline follows Jace and Grant through the Hockey season. As they train, travel, and eventually grow close. Their eventual relationship is complicated by injuries and scandal.
It's well paced and kept me enthralled the entire time. 0 notes.
- Characters: Both Jace and Grant are well written, complicated characters. I loved that their pasts come up organically to effect their present actions, which really helped to flesh them out.
Additionally, I can't stop thinking about the GROWTH these two have through the story. Not just all at once at the end. But slow and steady and real and BEAUTIFUL.
- Writing: Great writing. The story moved wonderfully and the words really flowed over the page. The emotions of a scene come through well and really had me on the edge of my seat during games, flushed during spice scenes, and smiling like a loon during the celebrations.
Page Count: 468
Time to Read (Estimate): 7 hours
*I did receive an ARC of this book, but this review is 100% honest and voluntary*
For more reviews, visit me on Instagram: @Rainbow.Reviews.MM
Follow Jace as he encounters his new coach, Grant, a man that commands a room and has a problematic work history.
Eventually, their attraction becomes too difficult to resist and they must face the realities of keeping their love a secret.
Ratings:
Overall: 5/5 hearts - Honestly, give me an age gap, forbidden love, deep characters, good writing, and nasty smut and I'm gonna give it a 5. I'm a simple girl.
Peppers: 4/5 - I debated between a 3 and 4 here. There is most definitely spice in this book, but plot does take up most of the page count.
Spice: 5/5 - I have 0 notes. The spice may trigger or "ick" some. Specifically the "watersports" scenes. But honestly, I found every scene to be fantastic and they definitely had me a little hot under the collar.
Plot: 5/5 -
- Storyline: The storyline follows Jace and Grant through the Hockey season. As they train, travel, and eventually grow close. Their eventual relationship is complicated by injuries and scandal.
It's well paced and kept me enthralled the entire time. 0 notes.
- Characters: Both Jace and Grant are well written, complicated characters. I loved that their pasts come up organically to effect their present actions, which really helped to flesh them out.
Additionally, I can't stop thinking about the GROWTH these two have through the story. Not just all at once at the end. But slow and steady and real and BEAUTIFUL.
- Writing: Great writing. The story moved wonderfully and the words really flowed over the page. The emotions of a scene come through well and really had me on the edge of my seat during games, flushed during spice scenes, and smiling like a loon during the celebrations.
Page Count: 468
Time to Read (Estimate): 7 hours
*I did receive an ARC of this book, but this review is 100% honest and voluntary*
For more reviews, visit me on Instagram: @Rainbow.Reviews.MM
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received a copy of this book for my honest opinion.
3.75⭐️
4🌶️
Great debut story. It’s a coach/player romance between a bi coach needing a second chance/reputation redemption and a closeted gay player with anxiety due to choking previously.
Grant was let go from his previous coaching job because he was deemed to have too close of a relationship with one of his players. Though it wasn’t how it seemed, he was cut and had a hard time finding work. This job with the Wolves is likely his last chance.
Jace is a star winger who missed a critical goal and the public didn’t let him forget it. He’s second guessed himself and had anxiety ever since. With the weight of that missed goal, hiding his sexuality from everyone, being the teams face and star player, and generally feeing alone and isolated, it’s taken its toll on him.
Grant is able to break through to the team with his straight and no bs coaching style, and Jace can’t look away. They fight their feelings till it’s too much, then hide from everyone till it comes out.
I really enjoyed the story. There is a lot of hockey action, a lot of practice training description so you fee what the team goes through and how they are learning to be better together, the team themselves are funny, they look out for each other, and take accountability. They support each other and their banter is top tier.
There are kinks in this book that aren’t always in these kinds of books, including sweat/sniffing/musk appreciation and some piss play.
The writing could be a little more cohesive at times. The men make some bonkers decisions at times so some suspension of disbelief will be useful.
That said there is no denying their true and complete love for each other and Grant really wants what is best for Jace, even if it costs himself. Grant is steadfast throughout the book, not just for Jace but with the whole team.
I really hope this becomes a series, I love the team and would like some of them to have their own stories by this author.
Really great and satisfying debut novel by this author.
3.75⭐️
4🌶️
Great debut story. It’s a coach/player romance between a bi coach needing a second chance/reputation redemption and a closeted gay player with anxiety due to choking previously.
Grant was let go from his previous coaching job because he was deemed to have too close of a relationship with one of his players. Though it wasn’t how it seemed, he was cut and had a hard time finding work. This job with the Wolves is likely his last chance.
Jace is a star winger who missed a critical goal and the public didn’t let him forget it. He’s second guessed himself and had anxiety ever since. With the weight of that missed goal, hiding his sexuality from everyone, being the teams face and star player, and generally feeing alone and isolated, it’s taken its toll on him.
Grant is able to break through to the team with his straight and no bs coaching style, and Jace can’t look away. They fight their feelings till it’s too much, then hide from everyone till it comes out.
I really enjoyed the story. There is a lot of hockey action, a lot of practice training description so you fee what the team goes through and how they are learning to be better together, the team themselves are funny, they look out for each other, and take accountability. They support each other and their banter is top tier.
There are kinks in this book that aren’t always in these kinds of books, including sweat/sniffing/musk appreciation and some piss play.
The writing could be a little more cohesive at times. The men make some bonkers decisions at times so some suspension of disbelief will be useful.
That said there is no denying their true and complete love for each other and Grant really wants what is best for Jace, even if it costs himself. Grant is steadfast throughout the book, not just for Jace but with the whole team.
I really hope this becomes a series, I love the team and would like some of them to have their own stories by this author.
Really great and satisfying debut novel by this author.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is an ARC review.
Very well written, great use of language. You can tell when different characters are speaking as the author changes how the characters articulate.
Wanted to stay up the first night to read and read during my lunch breaks at work.
Both Jace & Grant were likeable & relatable in their own ways. I appreciated both men equally and it was easynto root for them from the beginning. The chemistry building was well put together and when they met on that dog walk i just wanted them to slip back to leah's apartment. There is great mental health, anxiety representation. Really highlights how soul destroying it can be. No unfair or uncomfortable power plsy or misuse of power. Age gap yes, but not uncomfortable or sleazy. Felt both men developed feelings organically .
Enjoyed the hockey team members, they will be memorable with their own set of traits; looking forward to seeing who the next book will be about. I hope it's Cap!! I feel a soft spot for him already. I appreciated how supportive the team was of both Jace & Grant. How you hope things to be in 2026.
Ethan the bartender, helping Jace through his spiral and offering something to get him through, I thought that was such a beautiful thing to give a man spiralling.
First time Jace & Grant have sex (finally!) is beautiful and sensual. Second time at the cabin is sexy as hell - but maybe triggering for some. There were things in there I didn't even realise would turn me on. It was HOT!!!!
I wish we'd seen more of Jace's relationship with Leah & Owen. Much like I'd wish we'd seen more exploration of Grant's relationship will Cal. However the book was already dense and prehaps didn't need those extra side bits. Loved that we were in Canada playing Hockey, instead of the states. I will definitely remember this story long after I've finished.
This really is a great read and I'm excited to see what else we get from Riley Keane.
Very well written, great use of language. You can tell when different characters are speaking as the author changes how the characters articulate.
Wanted to stay up the first night to read and read during my lunch breaks at work.
Both Jace & Grant were likeable & relatable in their own ways. I appreciated both men equally and it was easynto root for them from the beginning. The chemistry building was well put together and when they met on that dog walk i just wanted them to slip back to leah's apartment. There is great mental health, anxiety representation. Really highlights how soul destroying it can be. No unfair or uncomfortable power plsy or misuse of power. Age gap yes, but not uncomfortable or sleazy. Felt both men developed feelings organically .
Enjoyed the hockey team members, they will be memorable with their own set of traits; looking forward to seeing who the next book will be about. I hope it's Cap!! I feel a soft spot for him already. I appreciated how supportive the team was of both Jace & Grant. How you hope things to be in 2026.
Ethan the bartender, helping Jace through his spiral and offering something to get him through, I thought that was such a beautiful thing to give a man spiralling.
First time Jace & Grant have sex (finally!) is beautiful and sensual. Second time at the cabin is sexy as hell - but maybe triggering for some. There were things in there I didn't even realise would turn me on. It was HOT!!!!
I wish we'd seen more of Jace's relationship with Leah & Owen. Much like I'd wish we'd seen more exploration of Grant's relationship will Cal. However the book was already dense and prehaps didn't need those extra side bits. Loved that we were in Canada playing Hockey, instead of the states. I will definitely remember this story long after I've finished.
This really is a great read and I'm excited to see what else we get from Riley Keane.
March 22, 2026
I absolutely love the book I look forward to seeing what the author does with some of the other characters in this book. Grant is the coach. He is somebody who is already struggling because he doesn't want to get too close. He doesn't want to take the chance of losing who he is or getting fired for being caught in a compromising position. He is trying his hardest to stay away from his player despite the fact that he has feelings that have slowly grown for his player. His player Jace, on the other hand, is a 26-year-old believing that he'll never be able to be out and be free and tell the truth about who he really is because of the fact that hockey is a male sport. It is a male-dominating filth and to be out and gay in this field is hard because you get looked at differently and his fear is the ridicule that he feels like he will be under. It is a truthful narrative about how power dynamic plays in a real world. Yes, there is some areas in the book that she wrote specifically just kind of relieve tension I felt like and some people are like well. I didn't like that part or it didn't feel real to me but the whole point wasn't for it to feel real but for you to have a narrative that was a bit different to kind of over lay the heavy. This author did an amazing job with this book. She not only gave you what would happen with a real world dynamic and the fears that somebody who is in a same-sex relationship is going to face, especially in a a heavy hitting sport that is predominantly a male field with fill, but she is doing it while giving you a taste of a bit of comedy to try and combat the heavy.
March 10, 2026
I hv been in a reading slump for quite some time and was just dnfing books left and right, but I read this one in a single go. This book was like a special gift custom made for me. All the tropes that I love in a single book and the book still managed to be more than just the tropes.
The main characters were real and fleshed out. Even the side characters were much more than just caricatures. The prose was addicting and it felt like I was watching a movie. The author does seem to actually like and know abt Hockey and the description is detailed .
Coming to the main characters Grant and Jace were literally made for each other and you cant tell me otherwise. The chemistry between them was undeniable and they had their own struggles but they still came through for each other.
Absolutely loved the book.
I will definitely be seated for whatever the author comes up with next.
Also, the spice was so fucking hot. 🔥🔥 The best I hv read in a full length novel in a long time. Cannot believe that this is a fucking debut.
Tropes and kinks:
Coach/player
Taboo
Forbidden relationship
Light Daddy/boy (no age play)
Watersports 💦
Muscle worship
Armpit kink
Facefucking
Anal plugs
Breeding kink
And so much more .
Absolutely recommend it to everyone.
Thank you for the arc.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The main characters were real and fleshed out. Even the side characters were much more than just caricatures. The prose was addicting and it felt like I was watching a movie. The author does seem to actually like and know abt Hockey and the description is detailed .
Coming to the main characters Grant and Jace were literally made for each other and you cant tell me otherwise. The chemistry between them was undeniable and they had their own struggles but they still came through for each other.
Absolutely loved the book.
I will definitely be seated for whatever the author comes up with next.
Also, the spice was so fucking hot. 🔥🔥 The best I hv read in a full length novel in a long time. Cannot believe that this is a fucking debut.
Tropes and kinks:
Coach/player
Taboo
Forbidden relationship
Light Daddy/boy (no age play)
Watersports 💦
Muscle worship
Armpit kink
Facefucking
Anal plugs
Breeding kink
And so much more .
Absolutely recommend it to everyone.
Thank you for the arc.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh my my my….😍
This one has disaster written all over it… from the beginning… oh and what a beautiful, hot, filthy and absolutely lovely disaster these two are!
Jace - the golden boy of hockey and the face of the whole franchise - he struggles with this huge role - the appearance he has to keep up and so many obligations… he lives a very stressful life…closeted, lonely, hurt.
Grant - the new coach - always calm and so put together - sees Jace for what he truly is from the first time their eyes met… he sees all his strength and energy but also his troubles, fears and hesitations - the boy underneath all the shiny, perfect outside persona.
He goes deep… always - and his stern, commanding coach voice… swoon! 😍
Quote: „You were staring at him like he was solving all your problems just by existing.”
I had a lot of fun reading this hockey romance… A forbidden love story between the coach and the player!
Yes please… I want and need all of it!
Oh boy and this one delivered!!!
It has it all - all the hidden glances, the stolen moments in the office or equipment room, one hell of a first kiss, pining, forbidden desire… soo much desire! Hot and steamy in all the right places…
I was hooked from page one…
And not even half way through I already feard the end.. because I already knew I am gonna be so wrecked by this… completely… recovery impossible!
My brain circulates all around those two… thinking about it for days on end now… this is the best feeling! 💗
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This one has disaster written all over it… from the beginning… oh and what a beautiful, hot, filthy and absolutely lovely disaster these two are!
Jace - the golden boy of hockey and the face of the whole franchise - he struggles with this huge role - the appearance he has to keep up and so many obligations… he lives a very stressful life…closeted, lonely, hurt.
Grant - the new coach - always calm and so put together - sees Jace for what he truly is from the first time their eyes met… he sees all his strength and energy but also his troubles, fears and hesitations - the boy underneath all the shiny, perfect outside persona.
He goes deep… always - and his stern, commanding coach voice… swoon! 😍
Quote: „You were staring at him like he was solving all your problems just by existing.”
I had a lot of fun reading this hockey romance… A forbidden love story between the coach and the player!
Yes please… I want and need all of it!
Oh boy and this one delivered!!!
It has it all - all the hidden glances, the stolen moments in the office or equipment room, one hell of a first kiss, pining, forbidden desire… soo much desire! Hot and steamy in all the right places…
I was hooked from page one…
And not even half way through I already feard the end.. because I already knew I am gonna be so wrecked by this… completely… recovery impossible!
My brain circulates all around those two… thinking about it for days on end now… this is the best feeling! 💗
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 10, 2026
THIS is an ARC review — and my very first ARC read.
Okay, I’m not even going to pretend I’m normal about this one.
Penalty Shot had me hooked from the start with that moody, gritty hockey atmosphere, but it’s the tension that absolutely wrecked me—in the best way. It’s the kind of forbidden romance that feels like standing too close to the boards when you know a hit is coming… and you still don’t move.
Jace is such a compelling MC. He’s the golden boy everyone thinks is untouchable, but underneath? He’s holding himself together with pressure, fear, and pure stubbornness. The anxiety/performance strain felt real, and the emotional cracks made me want to grab him by the shoulders and scream “LET SOMEONE HELP YOU.” And then there’s Grant—controlled, intense, trying so hard to do the right thing… which obviously makes everything ten times worse (and hotter) when the line starts blurring.
The chemistry is INSANE. The push-pull. The restraint. The don’t look at me like that energy. When it finally snaps, it’s not just spicy—it’s charged, messy, and emotional in a way that makes you feel it in your chest.
And honestly? What I’m most excited about is that this feels like the beginning of a whole world. I’m already sat for the rest of the series because if Book 1 is this intense, I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Okay, I’m not even going to pretend I’m normal about this one.
Penalty Shot had me hooked from the start with that moody, gritty hockey atmosphere, but it’s the tension that absolutely wrecked me—in the best way. It’s the kind of forbidden romance that feels like standing too close to the boards when you know a hit is coming… and you still don’t move.
Jace is such a compelling MC. He’s the golden boy everyone thinks is untouchable, but underneath? He’s holding himself together with pressure, fear, and pure stubbornness. The anxiety/performance strain felt real, and the emotional cracks made me want to grab him by the shoulders and scream “LET SOMEONE HELP YOU.” And then there’s Grant—controlled, intense, trying so hard to do the right thing… which obviously makes everything ten times worse (and hotter) when the line starts blurring.
The chemistry is INSANE. The push-pull. The restraint. The don’t look at me like that energy. When it finally snaps, it’s not just spicy—it’s charged, messy, and emotional in a way that makes you feel it in your chest.
And honestly? What I’m most excited about is that this feels like the beginning of a whole world. I’m already sat for the rest of the series because if Book 1 is this intense, I can’t wait to see what comes next.
March 17, 2026
✨Spoiler free ARC review ✨
Penalty Shot by @rileykeane
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow what an amazing story for your DEBUT novel!
This is a hockey MM forbidden romance and I ate up every single second of it. And you already know I love an age gap romance, so I was sold immediately 😏
Jace Hartley is our pretty perfect golden boy who feels broken on the inside 💔 Then we have head coach Grant Sutherland who has been in the game long enough to know better.
Both men want what they can’t have.
When I tell you I could literally feel the chemistry coming off the page… it only got better watching them try to ignore and fight it 😮💨
Grant sees what others either miss or choose not to see when it comes to Jace and his mental health. And for Jace, someone finally puts him first before his jersey 🥹
I loved every second of the spice too 😏🌶️ I won’t give spoilers, but expect a lil kinky stuff too 😉
Even with all the hockey talk throughout the book, I was never lost. I could picture the game plays perfectly 😅
When the tension finally snaps, they are both putting everything on the line professionally and personally. And you can’t help but ask… is choosing each other worth the consequences??🫣
I loved the side characters from both families and their teammates. I am really hoping we see more of Rook in book two perhaps 🤞🏽👀
By the end I was fully stressed wondering how this was going to work out for them. Watching them grow individually and together, especially through the adversity they had to face, made everything hit the way it was supposed to!
Congratulations on your debut novel. I cannot wait to see what you create next!
Penalty Shot by @rileykeane
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow what an amazing story for your DEBUT novel!
This is a hockey MM forbidden romance and I ate up every single second of it. And you already know I love an age gap romance, so I was sold immediately 😏
Jace Hartley is our pretty perfect golden boy who feels broken on the inside 💔 Then we have head coach Grant Sutherland who has been in the game long enough to know better.
Both men want what they can’t have.
When I tell you I could literally feel the chemistry coming off the page… it only got better watching them try to ignore and fight it 😮💨
Grant sees what others either miss or choose not to see when it comes to Jace and his mental health. And for Jace, someone finally puts him first before his jersey 🥹
I loved every second of the spice too 😏🌶️ I won’t give spoilers, but expect a lil kinky stuff too 😉
Even with all the hockey talk throughout the book, I was never lost. I could picture the game plays perfectly 😅
When the tension finally snaps, they are both putting everything on the line professionally and personally. And you can’t help but ask… is choosing each other worth the consequences??🫣
I loved the side characters from both families and their teammates. I am really hoping we see more of Rook in book two perhaps 🤞🏽👀
By the end I was fully stressed wondering how this was going to work out for them. Watching them grow individually and together, especially through the adversity they had to face, made everything hit the way it was supposed to!
Congratulations on your debut novel. I cannot wait to see what you create next!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The first word I wrote down when I started Penalty Shot was gritty. I wrote it down before I had finished the second chapter. After finishing Penalty Shot- gritty fits perfectly! Grant and Jace show determination, courage and perseverance, the definition of gritty while they face internal struggles and external challenges that could break even the strongest person.
Penalty Shot is not your average hockey romance. Yes, there is a hockey team with a roster full of of big personalities. Yes, there is a short sighted person in management that is all about dollar signs. But the story focuses on Grant and Jace, not their shenanigans or the shenanigans of the team. It focuses on their personal stories, their mental health, their struggles. It focuses on them, as people and their story in almost equal balance.
This is a taboo story, no doubt. Its coach/player dynamic, angsty, and forced proximity. I will tell you, it also has all the kink! There is a little Daddy dynamic (no age play), orgasm control and water sports! Everything is consensual and even begged for! The spice is spicy!! 🥵🥵🥵
Riley Keane may be a new author for me, but this will not be the last book I read from them. I can't wait to see who's story is next. 😉
Penalty Shot is not your average hockey romance. Yes, there is a hockey team with a roster full of of big personalities. Yes, there is a short sighted person in management that is all about dollar signs. But the story focuses on Grant and Jace, not their shenanigans or the shenanigans of the team. It focuses on their personal stories, their mental health, their struggles. It focuses on them, as people and their story in almost equal balance.
This is a taboo story, no doubt. Its coach/player dynamic, angsty, and forced proximity. I will tell you, it also has all the kink! There is a little Daddy dynamic (no age play), orgasm control and water sports! Everything is consensual and even begged for! The spice is spicy!! 🥵🥵🥵
Riley Keane may be a new author for me, but this will not be the last book I read from them. I can't wait to see who's story is next. 😉
March 21, 2026
*ARC Review*
🏒 Penalty Shot by Riley Keane
4 ⭐️
A forbidden, slow-burn MM hockey romance between a player and his coach that absolutely delivers.
Jace and Grant are such complex, well-written characters. Grant is a retired hockey star turned coach who’s just been hired as the Wolves’ new head coach after being fired from his previous position for getting too close to a player. Jace is the team’s “golden boy,” the face of the franchise—yet beneath that image, he’s cracking under pressure and struggling with anxiety after a high-stakes mistake that cost his team an important game last season.
Grant sees right through Jace and notices everything he’s desperately trying to hide. As lines begin to blur and boundaries are crossed, their connection turns into a high-stakes situation where both men have to decide if what they’re feeling is truly worth the risk.
The way their relationship develops is beautiful, emotional, and intense. I also loved the side characters—the team is incredibly supportive and adds so much heart to the story.
If you love taboo, steamy MM hockey romances, definitely give this one a read. I can’t wait for book two. 🖤
🏒 Penalty Shot by Riley Keane
4 ⭐️
A forbidden, slow-burn MM hockey romance between a player and his coach that absolutely delivers.
Jace and Grant are such complex, well-written characters. Grant is a retired hockey star turned coach who’s just been hired as the Wolves’ new head coach after being fired from his previous position for getting too close to a player. Jace is the team’s “golden boy,” the face of the franchise—yet beneath that image, he’s cracking under pressure and struggling with anxiety after a high-stakes mistake that cost his team an important game last season.
Grant sees right through Jace and notices everything he’s desperately trying to hide. As lines begin to blur and boundaries are crossed, their connection turns into a high-stakes situation where both men have to decide if what they’re feeling is truly worth the risk.
The way their relationship develops is beautiful, emotional, and intense. I also loved the side characters—the team is incredibly supportive and adds so much heart to the story.
If you love taboo, steamy MM hockey romances, definitely give this one a read. I can’t wait for book two. 🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
"the tension between these 2 is no less than incredible. I've literally read 34% of this book without a break because i'm 2 seconds away from imploding from this freaking tension. My goodness!"
I don’t usually start to write a review before I finish the book but had to add that paragraph because I was feeeeling the tension through the words in the book. It was crazy! Mind. Blown. I loved this book. I loved it so hard. I was hooked from the get go, I didn't put it down until I saw I was 34% in and then didn't put down again until I went bed. It was intense, forbidden, sexy, double sexy. A slow-burn, age gap romance between a coach and his player, and when the heat starts, it gets hottttt! I'm obsessed! Grant and Jace were utter perfection. En core level. Chef's kiss! The side characters (mostly Jace's teammates) were just the best! Overall, I honestly loved this book from start to finish, I'm looking forward to future books in this series and more from the author!
thank you for giving me the opportunity to read your book early and trusting me to review before release!
I don’t usually start to write a review before I finish the book but had to add that paragraph because I was feeeeling the tension through the words in the book. It was crazy! Mind. Blown. I loved this book. I loved it so hard. I was hooked from the get go, I didn't put it down until I saw I was 34% in and then didn't put down again until I went bed. It was intense, forbidden, sexy, double sexy. A slow-burn, age gap romance between a coach and his player, and when the heat starts, it gets hottttt! I'm obsessed! Grant and Jace were utter perfection. En core level. Chef's kiss! The side characters (mostly Jace's teammates) were just the best! Overall, I honestly loved this book from start to finish, I'm looking forward to future books in this series and more from the author!
thank you for giving me the opportunity to read your book early and trusting me to review before release!
Review of advance copy received from Author
*arc review*
4.5/⭐️
3/🌶️
This story was a surprise for me. I went in thinking it was another coach/player romance with all the typical tropes of keeping it secret and it was some fun sneaking away. It was this, but it was also deeper on more intense levels than I was expecting.
Grant and Jace were two men battling their issues that they refused to get help with, so they both came into this situation stubborn and full of secrets. The slightly extended eye contact, the gentle touches and the slow burn feelings really brought out the romance in this book. However anxiety, hiding serious injuries, and a real D bag of an owner for the team made this book more drama than romance and I loved it. The spice was spicy and the feelings were big.
Riley’s writing captured me from the start. I felt like I was in the minds of these men. I smiled a lot, cringed some, had to skim some of the spicy stuff (cause it wasn’t my thing), but I devoured this book in less than two days and couldn’t get enough.
4.5/⭐️
3/🌶️
This story was a surprise for me. I went in thinking it was another coach/player romance with all the typical tropes of keeping it secret and it was some fun sneaking away. It was this, but it was also deeper on more intense levels than I was expecting.
Grant and Jace were two men battling their issues that they refused to get help with, so they both came into this situation stubborn and full of secrets. The slightly extended eye contact, the gentle touches and the slow burn feelings really brought out the romance in this book. However anxiety, hiding serious injuries, and a real D bag of an owner for the team made this book more drama than romance and I loved it. The spice was spicy and the feelings were big.
Riley’s writing captured me from the start. I felt like I was in the minds of these men. I smiled a lot, cringed some, had to skim some of the spicy stuff (cause it wasn’t my thing), but I devoured this book in less than two days and couldn’t get enough.
March 20, 2026
Received a advanced reader copy from author
For a debut book this was brilliant the story flowed and the writing was great.
One of the best hockey romance’s I have ever read.
The hockey scenes were so detailed and I loved how the book centred on hockey as much as Jace and Grant’s relationship.
The writing just flowed and was 10 out of 10!
This is a forbidden love, age gap at its finest!
I really loved Jace he was such a great guy there was just something about him that made me want to give him a big hug, scared to admit to his sexuality, performance anxiety and panic attacks and they way he looks at Grant like he can really see him and to give himself confidence
Grant coach to the team who is not supposed to want Jace but crosses the line and can’t stop then everything blows up.
Watersports yes please I wasn’t expecting that but thank you Riley!
So Glad they got their HEA it was well deserved!
All the side characters were great the rest of the hockey team were amazing how they all pulled up for Grant was so heartwarming.
I can’t wait for what’s next from Riley have a feeling Rook will be next and I hope he is.
For a debut book this was brilliant the story flowed and the writing was great.
One of the best hockey romance’s I have ever read.
The hockey scenes were so detailed and I loved how the book centred on hockey as much as Jace and Grant’s relationship.
The writing just flowed and was 10 out of 10!
This is a forbidden love, age gap at its finest!
I really loved Jace he was such a great guy there was just something about him that made me want to give him a big hug, scared to admit to his sexuality, performance anxiety and panic attacks and they way he looks at Grant like he can really see him and to give himself confidence
Grant coach to the team who is not supposed to want Jace but crosses the line and can’t stop then everything blows up.
Watersports yes please I wasn’t expecting that but thank you Riley!
So Glad they got their HEA it was well deserved!
All the side characters were great the rest of the hockey team were amazing how they all pulled up for Grant was so heartwarming.
I can’t wait for what’s next from Riley have a feeling Rook will be next and I hope he is.
Review of advance copy received from Author
He Was the Golden Boy—Until Someone Finally Saw Through Him
Jace Hartley is the definition of polished perfection on the outside—star player, media darling, always in control. But underneath? He’s tightly wound, carrying way more than he lets anyone see. And that quiet unraveling? That’s where this book really hooks you.
Enter Grant Sutherland—the “fix the team, not catch feelings” coach who absolutely fails that assignment.
The dynamic here is chef’s kiss forbidden tension. You feel every line they’re crossing before they even touch it. Grant trying to stay professional while clocking every tiny detail about Jace? Jace silently aching for something he doesn’t have the words for? Yeah… it’s that kind of slow, dangerous build.
And what really works is how their connection forms. It’s not just attraction—it’s trust. Jace lets Grant see the cracks no one else gets access to, and Grant… he steps into that space knowing full well it could cost him everything.
That push-pull between protection and desire? Constant. Delicious. Stressful in the best way.
Jace Hartley is the definition of polished perfection on the outside—star player, media darling, always in control. But underneath? He’s tightly wound, carrying way more than he lets anyone see. And that quiet unraveling? That’s where this book really hooks you.
Enter Grant Sutherland—the “fix the team, not catch feelings” coach who absolutely fails that assignment.
The dynamic here is chef’s kiss forbidden tension. You feel every line they’re crossing before they even touch it. Grant trying to stay professional while clocking every tiny detail about Jace? Jace silently aching for something he doesn’t have the words for? Yeah… it’s that kind of slow, dangerous build.
And what really works is how their connection forms. It’s not just attraction—it’s trust. Jace lets Grant see the cracks no one else gets access to, and Grant… he steps into that space knowing full well it could cost him everything.
That push-pull between protection and desire? Constant. Delicious. Stressful in the best way.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book had my feet kicking and my heart beat racing! I absolutely loved the dynamic between Jace and Grant. This was my first coach x player trope and I hecking loved every second of it!!!!
Jace is the face of his team's franchise and is known as the golden boy of hockey. That's a lot of pressure to handle especially when he has secrets that could change everything he has worked for.
Grant is the new coach for Jace's team and is skating on thin ice (pun intended). He was let go from his previous team and this is his last chance to stay in the league. No pressure..... right?
Both Jace and Grant have a lot of pressure and a lot to lose. However, between the constant glances and heated tension, they can't seem to stay away from eachother. Can they stay away from eachother or will they lose everything for something......forbidden?
The character development and story telling in this book was so well done and the spicy scenes were elite!!!!! I didn't want the story to end!!!
Jace is the face of his team's franchise and is known as the golden boy of hockey. That's a lot of pressure to handle especially when he has secrets that could change everything he has worked for.
Grant is the new coach for Jace's team and is skating on thin ice (pun intended). He was let go from his previous team and this is his last chance to stay in the league. No pressure..... right?
Both Jace and Grant have a lot of pressure and a lot to lose. However, between the constant glances and heated tension, they can't seem to stay away from eachother. Can they stay away from eachother or will they lose everything for something......forbidden?
The character development and story telling in this book was so well done and the spicy scenes were elite!!!!! I didn't want the story to end!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is a coach and the star player hockey romance with that forbidden angle and age gap, so I was already interested. Jace is the golden boy everyone thinks is perfect, but he’s really not okay inside. And then there’s Grant, the head coach who knows he shouldn’t go there… but yeah, he does anyway. 😌
I loved the way their relationship builds. You can feel the tension so clearly, especially when they’re trying to act normal and keep things professional. Grant really sees Jace in a way no one else does, and that part got me. Jace just wanting someone to finally put him first? yeah… that hit. The whole push and pull between them was so good.
And when they finally cross the line… yeah, it only gets better. Still emotional but also spicy, and I ate it up. I was low key stressed about how things were going to work out, but I loved seeing them grow together. Such a spicy, enjoyable read for a debut novel. Also I need more of Rook, like please… next book? 👀
This is a coach and the star player hockey romance with that forbidden angle and age gap, so I was already interested. Jace is the golden boy everyone thinks is perfect, but he’s really not okay inside. And then there’s Grant, the head coach who knows he shouldn’t go there… but yeah, he does anyway. 😌
I loved the way their relationship builds. You can feel the tension so clearly, especially when they’re trying to act normal and keep things professional. Grant really sees Jace in a way no one else does, and that part got me. Jace just wanting someone to finally put him first? yeah… that hit. The whole push and pull between them was so good.
And when they finally cross the line… yeah, it only gets better. Still emotional but also spicy, and I ate it up. I was low key stressed about how things were going to work out, but I loved seeing them grow together. Such a spicy, enjoyable read for a debut novel. Also I need more of Rook, like please… next book? 👀
March 24, 2026
I received an ARC in exchange for a review. To start off, I would like to say that this is really good for a debut novel. I think that my not falling in love with it was due to me just not realizing that it would go in depth with hockey. It was a little hard for me to start off the book because it started ofd during a hockey scene. I would have liked more info of both of the love interests previous relationships and who they were outside of hockey. I can't really remember any details about Grant's family/friends except maybe one. I thought that the scenes with the dog came a little too early in the book and I skimmed that while interaction given that the dog did not belong to either of them. I liked the latter half/last third of the book way more. The smut was great, and was able to get more invested in the book. The kinks were unexpected but I was pleasantly intrigued and thoroughly enjoyed them because they shook up the plot. Keep writing!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2026
𝙿𝚎𝚗𝚊𝚕𝚝𝚢 𝚂𝚑𝚘𝚝
𝙰𝚁𝙲 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠
3.5/5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶️
↓↓
I went into this hoping for a really good read. The blurb sound awesome and right up my alley. I know this is a debut and while it was an ok debut, it lacked for me,
I really enjoyed the first half of the book but the second half, that was a downhill battle that I tried to enjoy just couldn't.
Jace and Grant had those super sweet moment but then it's like a switch flipped and it was just allllll about kinky hot sex. Don't get me wrong, I am downnnnn bad for some hot kinky sex buuuut when it completely overshadows everything else. that's where it loses it for me.
While I did have some complaints, I will definitely be picking up other books from this author.
𝚆𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝚃𝙾 𝙴𝚇𝙿𝙴𝙲𝚃
🏒 Coach x Player
🏒 Hurt/Comfort
🏒 Mutual Obsession
🏒 Forced Proximity
🏒 Forbidden
🏒 Age Gap
🏒 Slow Burn
𝙰𝚁𝙲 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠
3.5/5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶️
↓↓
I went into this hoping for a really good read. The blurb sound awesome and right up my alley. I know this is a debut and while it was an ok debut, it lacked for me,
I really enjoyed the first half of the book but the second half, that was a downhill battle that I tried to enjoy just couldn't.
Jace and Grant had those super sweet moment but then it's like a switch flipped and it was just allllll about kinky hot sex. Don't get me wrong, I am downnnnn bad for some hot kinky sex buuuut when it completely overshadows everything else. that's where it loses it for me.
While I did have some complaints, I will definitely be picking up other books from this author.
𝚆𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝚃𝙾 𝙴𝚇𝙿𝙴𝙲𝚃
🏒 Coach x Player
🏒 Hurt/Comfort
🏒 Mutual Obsession
🏒 Forced Proximity
🏒 Forbidden
🏒 Age Gap
🏒 Slow Burn
March 30, 2026
I have mixed feelings about this book, I really loved the first two thirds of it, the tension, the chemistry, the characters development, the inner turmoils, the pace,... the last third left me with a feeling of "it's a bit too much", and had some small timeline and plot inconsistencies. I loved Jace, and loved reading about how he embraced his attraction/feelings for Grant. Grant is very loveable as well, with his intensity and how he was all in once he accepted his own feelings. They go very well together even with the coach/player situation. The spice is good (just be aware there is some kinks including water sports) and there is a lot of actual hockey.
Overall, this is a great and promising debut novel, I could not put it down and look forward to next book!
I got an ARC and this is my honest review.
Overall, this is a great and promising debut novel, I could not put it down and look forward to next book!
I got an ARC and this is my honest review.
March 30, 2026
ARC review
Mostly I enjoyed this story! Especially the first half was good. Really could feel the tension building between Jace and Grant and I liked the forbidden relationship trope a lot. I didn’t quite buy all the stuff happening just before and after they started hooking up, like I’m pretty sure a head coach would never have to share a hotel room with a player. But I understand it needed to happen for the storyline to progress.
I liked the hockey scenes very much! Also spicy scenes were really nicely written! Though some the kinks included were not for me, but that’s not the author’s fault. Not every kink is for everyone.
What I would’ve liked more was the main characters to interact more with the other characters so they would also have more depth.
Great first novel. I’d love to continue reading the series in the future!
Mostly I enjoyed this story! Especially the first half was good. Really could feel the tension building between Jace and Grant and I liked the forbidden relationship trope a lot. I didn’t quite buy all the stuff happening just before and after they started hooking up, like I’m pretty sure a head coach would never have to share a hotel room with a player. But I understand it needed to happen for the storyline to progress.
I liked the hockey scenes very much! Also spicy scenes were really nicely written! Though some the kinks included were not for me, but that’s not the author’s fault. Not every kink is for everyone.
What I would’ve liked more was the main characters to interact more with the other characters so they would also have more depth.
Great first novel. I’d love to continue reading the series in the future!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
🖤Penalty Shot is a MUST READ!
MM romance? Check
Actual hockey? Check
Plot? Check
Spice? CHECKKKKK YES!!
💕The build up was perfect! I liked that it didn’t take the entire book for Grant & Jace to decide they want to be together. They knew what they wanted and they fought for it.
🏳️🌈The other characters in the book? Absolutely incredible. Some of the best moments were with all of them! You’ll know when you get there. ☺️
🔥My favorite part? The spice. Ohhhhmygod it was so hot. So unexpected but I was so there for it. I won’t give it all away, but do y'all like watersports? Yeah, thought so!
🍾This is 10000000% a book that needs to be on your TBR!
Keep an eye out for its release!
You WILL NOT REGRET IT.
🕸️I’m reviewing this as a reader who received an ARC from the author!
MM romance? Check
Actual hockey? Check
Plot? Check
Spice? CHECKKKKK YES!!
💕The build up was perfect! I liked that it didn’t take the entire book for Grant & Jace to decide they want to be together. They knew what they wanted and they fought for it.
🏳️🌈The other characters in the book? Absolutely incredible. Some of the best moments were with all of them! You’ll know when you get there. ☺️
🔥My favorite part? The spice. Ohhhhmygod it was so hot. So unexpected but I was so there for it. I won’t give it all away, but do y'all like watersports? Yeah, thought so!
🍾This is 10000000% a book that needs to be on your TBR!
Keep an eye out for its release!
You WILL NOT REGRET IT.
🕸️I’m reviewing this as a reader who received an ARC from the author!
March 20, 2026
This book follows Jace, a professional hockey player and Grant, his coach, as they fall in love and have amazing s*x 😜
The chemistry between Grant and Jace is off the charts crazy! I found myself speed reading on more than one occasion just to get to the next spicy scene and I was never disappointed.
Of course this book has plenty of spice, but the relationship development and growth of the characters is just so beautiful and honestly was the real hero of the story for me.
Some of the tropes I loved:
✨ MM romance
✨ Slow burn
✨ Age gap
✨ Coach / player power dynamic
✨ Daddy
If this sounds amazing to you, go and check it out on KU now!
I received a free ARC copy of this book. This is my voluntary and honest review.
The chemistry between Grant and Jace is off the charts crazy! I found myself speed reading on more than one occasion just to get to the next spicy scene and I was never disappointed.
Of course this book has plenty of spice, but the relationship development and growth of the characters is just so beautiful and honestly was the real hero of the story for me.
Some of the tropes I loved:
✨ MM romance
✨ Slow burn
✨ Age gap
✨ Coach / player power dynamic
✨ Daddy
If this sounds amazing to you, go and check it out on KU now!
I received a free ARC copy of this book. This is my voluntary and honest review.
March 23, 2026
I received an advance review copy
The pacing, plot progression, writing style, and complexity of the characters well done in this debut novel. I love how from the beginning of the book I knew what Jace and Grant's desires and vulnerabilities were. This made me want to know more about them and kept me invested in their story. Grant's development was well done. Jace's development was good in some areas, but he backtracked in others. Jace's lack of maturity in some areas was obvious despite his status as a professional athlete. However, his vulnerabilities made him someone that could be connected with. Grant was a consistent and reliable force through this story. Rook stole the show, I love his character despite not knowing much about him. He was such a great captain and friend.
The pacing, plot progression, writing style, and complexity of the characters well done in this debut novel. I love how from the beginning of the book I knew what Jace and Grant's desires and vulnerabilities were. This made me want to know more about them and kept me invested in their story. Grant's development was well done. Jace's development was good in some areas, but he backtracked in others. Jace's lack of maturity in some areas was obvious despite his status as a professional athlete. However, his vulnerabilities made him someone that could be connected with. Grant was a consistent and reliable force through this story. Rook stole the show, I love his character despite not knowing much about him. He was such a great captain and friend.
March 22, 2026
This is Book 1 of the An MM Hockey Romance series. And a FANrastic start it is! Look forward to more from this world.
'PENALTY SHOT is a high-heat MM hockey romance featuring a forbidden coach/player relationship and a guaranteed HEA.'
The characters were very appealing and likeable and complicated and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and intense and exciting and well paced. World building was solidly drawn and impressive. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
'PENALTY SHOT is a high-heat MM hockey romance featuring a forbidden coach/player relationship and a guaranteed HEA.'
The characters were very appealing and likeable and complicated and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and intense and exciting and well paced. World building was solidly drawn and impressive. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you Riley Keane for this ARC🫶🏻—this is my honest review
Ok wow, I absolutely loved this book. It was filthy, funny, sweet, and an absolute hit for me. The dual POVs were very distinct—there was never a moment where I was confused about whose POV I was reading. The tension between these two was practically pouring off the pages, and once things started heating up 🔥🥵. I couldn’t put it down. If you love tension, slow burn, age gap, and forbidden romance between a coach and player, definitely add this to your TBR.👀📚
Ok wow, I absolutely loved this book. It was filthy, funny, sweet, and an absolute hit for me. The dual POVs were very distinct—there was never a moment where I was confused about whose POV I was reading. The tension between these two was practically pouring off the pages, and once things started heating up 🔥🥵. I couldn’t put it down. If you love tension, slow burn, age gap, and forbidden romance between a coach and player, definitely add this to your TBR.👀📚
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