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Sticks & Stones
I can’t believe I’m actually here—Decked out in red, white, and blue, ready to play at my first ever Winter Olympic Games for Team USA’s women’s hockey team.
Nothing could possibly make this moment any better.
That is until I see who’s standing on the other side of the Olympic Village.
Tall, muscular, and devastatingly handsome—Lucas Morgan, the skip for USA’s curling team.
Luke is every woman’s dream… He’s also my brother’s best friend.
Which means he’s extremely off-limits.
When the living situation at the Olympic Village is less than ideal, Luke swoops in to save the day by snagging a hotel room nearby.
There’s one problem though…there’s only one bed.
It’s always been an unspoken rule when it comes to Luke—look, but don’t touch.
But rules don’t apply when we’re oceans away from my brother at the Winter Olympics, right?
The gold medal is mine for the taking…
So, why not Luke, too?
Sticks & Stones is a spicy, Winter Olympics Novella with a female hockey player, male curling player, one bed, brother's best friend, and a guaranteed happy ending.
Nothing could possibly make this moment any better.
That is until I see who’s standing on the other side of the Olympic Village.
Tall, muscular, and devastatingly handsome—Lucas Morgan, the skip for USA’s curling team.
Luke is every woman’s dream… He’s also my brother’s best friend.
Which means he’s extremely off-limits.
When the living situation at the Olympic Village is less than ideal, Luke swoops in to save the day by snagging a hotel room nearby.
There’s one problem though…there’s only one bed.
It’s always been an unspoken rule when it comes to Luke—look, but don’t touch.
But rules don’t apply when we’re oceans away from my brother at the Winter Olympics, right?
The gold medal is mine for the taking…
So, why not Luke, too?
Sticks & Stones is a spicy, Winter Olympics Novella with a female hockey player, male curling player, one bed, brother's best friend, and a guaranteed happy ending.
154 pages, Paperback
First published February 9, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
February 18, 2026
I loved the pacing, writing style, chemistry and connection between Charlotte and Luke. It was cute to see how they go from not knowing how the other feels to being together and being more open supporting each other. Definitely a quick, spicy read especially to read now during the Winter Olympics. I loved how the characters grow into their feelings for each other, how they go from being shy and hiding their feelings to being open to Charlotte's brother about everything.
February 11, 2026
Very cute Novella, takes place in her hockey series between Charlie/Charlotte and Luke! She is a hockey player and he is a curling player on this sweet little story takes place at the Olympics/in Olympic village. It’s basically a brother‘s best friend figuring out there in love with each other short and sweet… 25/32 little bit of an age gap! Also loved the introduction into the next bobcat book in her series.
February 12, 2026
A curling romance, absolutely!! But this was just bad. Why was their inner monologue describing curling but nothing about describing the game of hockey (which I know absolutely nothing about). Also there were some grammar/sleeping errors in the book that made think this was rushed for the Olympics.
March 5, 2026
So cute!!
February 24, 2026
the best thing about this book was the curling stone images
March 1, 2026
Luke & Charlie are both competing in the Olympics? And he’s her brother’s best friend? And there’s only one bed? “Spectacular! Give me 14 of them right now.”
Stars: 5/5
Spice: 2/5
Luke & Charlie’s story was a short and sweet (and spicy) novella. I loved the moment that it dropped the reader into the story. It allowed the reader to pick up on the tension immediately and portrayed their history in a way that made it clear it wasn’t instalove. It made it easy to pull for these characters from the beginning. I loved every second of their story, and I loved the way that it connects back to the author’s other series. And that ending?! Sign me up for the next one pronto! Highly recommend!
CW: Listed at beginning of book
Stars: 5/5
Spice: 2/5
Luke & Charlie’s story was a short and sweet (and spicy) novella. I loved the moment that it dropped the reader into the story. It allowed the reader to pick up on the tension immediately and portrayed their history in a way that made it clear it wasn’t instalove. It made it easy to pull for these characters from the beginning. I loved every second of their story, and I loved the way that it connects back to the author’s other series. And that ending?! Sign me up for the next one pronto! Highly recommend!
CW: Listed at beginning of book
February 23, 2026
2.5 stars. I am so so sorry. This is 10000% me, I'm the problem. Don't let it put you off this book. Just for me personally. I had been watching winter olympics for 2 weeks read a million winter sports romance books one after another so at this point I was fed up. I shouldn't have read. I will say, it was a bit Insta lust, a bit cringe, a bit forced, I didn't love. If you're in the mood, totally you'll love this. Just I needed more mafia and I wasn't going to get it at the Olympics.
February 11, 2026
4.25⭐️
How is this so good for a novella? Nothing felt rushed or incomplete. Who could resist a womens hockey player and a curler story during the Winter Olympics? I thoroughly enjoyed Sticks & Stones!
How is this so good for a novella? Nothing felt rushed or incomplete. Who could resist a womens hockey player and a curler story during the Winter Olympics? I thoroughly enjoyed Sticks & Stones!
February 13, 2026
why don’t they have a zero stars option oh my word why are we writing olympic village fanfic that is just a mess of tropes with no real substance.
i wish i was a curling stone and could slide out of here
i wish i was a curling stone and could slide out of here
February 9, 2026
Such a fun and sexy novella. Love me some Luke and Charlie. And how about that ending??
February 11, 2026
can’t believe I had to wait until 80% to get to the curling
February 12, 2026
This is a very risqué novella BUT it’s about the Olympics so it counts!!! Short and sweet!!!
February 27, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ honestly a cute little story, left on a cliffhanger. Weird a bit they broke the fourth wall by acknowledging the reader but storyline was cute.
March 1, 2026
Another 5 Star from Jillian
Y’all! She did it again! She wrote the most amazing book about a sport not many people know about. I’m convinced she could write anything and it would be a 5 star read. The characters, the banter, the plot, the entire BOOK! Thank you Jillian for writing some amazing characters for us to fall in love with!
Y’all! She did it again! She wrote the most amazing book about a sport not many people know about. I’m convinced she could write anything and it would be a 5 star read. The characters, the banter, the plot, the entire BOOK! Thank you Jillian for writing some amazing characters for us to fall in love with!
February 22, 2026
This was fun and so good and it kept me from spiraling after my cat's death so 5 stars for that alone.
February 12, 2026
This was a really cute novella. I enjoyed the characters, and their bond/relationship with one another, and their friends/teammates.
Things I Liked:
- The sex. It wasn't monotone, but it also wasn't cheesy or cringy.
- The characters, separate and together.
Things I Didn't Like:
- The ending, focused on the brother, and not at all the MMC's reaction to, you know, winning.
Sex Stuff.
- 3 scenes (Can't remember for sure).
- Spanking, different positions. Mentions of future anal.
Things I Liked:
- The sex. It wasn't monotone, but it also wasn't cheesy or cringy.
- The characters, separate and together.
Things I Didn't Like:
- The ending, focused on the brother, and not at all the MMC's reaction to, you know, winning.
Sex Stuff.
- 3 scenes (Can't remember for sure).
- Spanking, different positions. Mentions of future anal.
March 16, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 2/5 🌶️🌶️
Why did a curling romance just absolutely wreck me in the best way? I don’t know… but here we are.
This novella was fun, chaotic, sweet, a little spicy, and completely addictive. Jillian Arly somehow took a sport most people don’t know much about and made it wildly entertaining while giving us characters that feel real, lovable, and impossible not to root for.
And the tropes?? Oh we are being FED:
Best friend’s little sister
Olympic athletes
Only one bed
Years of knowing each other before giving in
Chaotic “fuck it” moments
And what I can only describe as Olympic-level horniness
Luke Morgan (MMC) is basically everything I want in a romance hero. He has golden retriever energy, is completely obsessed with Charlie, protective in the sweetest ways, and very good in the bedroom. He calls her “baby” (automatic melting over him, and a win for me). And ladies… the man owns a Kindle. He reads. I mean… what more do we want?
One of the cutest moments is when he casually admits he prefers sleeping on the right side of the bed so he’s closer to the door in case he needs to protect her from an intruder. Sir?? The CUTENESS?? I cannot.
And Charlotte (FMC) is equally amazing. She’s bold, confident, funny, and unapologetically herself. She brings the snark, the banter, and the confidence while still being incredibly loyal & supportive. I loved how she could hang with the guys but also be such a strong, caring friend. She’s the kind of FMC I’d happily read again and again.
For a novella, this book does something I really appreciate: it manages to give us plot, backstory, tension, banter, spice, friendship, sports action, and a satisfying romance all in a shorter format. That balance is not easy, but Jillian absolutely nailed it.
And we get hockey AND curling, which was such a fun combination. The sports details felt spot-on and added so much personality to the story. Plus the teammates, friendships, and group banter were fantastic.
We even get little hints toward Green Bay Bobcats book three, which has me very excited for what’s coming next. And honestly, I’m going to need novellas for the rest of Luke’s team and Liv because I am already invested.
And then… that ending. Jillian… that ending. 🤯
So yes, please hold while I immediately go read the rest of this series while impatiently waiting for the next book.
Why did a curling romance just absolutely wreck me in the best way? I don’t know… but here we are.
This novella was fun, chaotic, sweet, a little spicy, and completely addictive. Jillian Arly somehow took a sport most people don’t know much about and made it wildly entertaining while giving us characters that feel real, lovable, and impossible not to root for.
And the tropes?? Oh we are being FED:
Best friend’s little sister
Olympic athletes
Only one bed
Years of knowing each other before giving in
Chaotic “fuck it” moments
And what I can only describe as Olympic-level horniness
Luke Morgan (MMC) is basically everything I want in a romance hero. He has golden retriever energy, is completely obsessed with Charlie, protective in the sweetest ways, and very good in the bedroom. He calls her “baby” (automatic melting over him, and a win for me). And ladies… the man owns a Kindle. He reads. I mean… what more do we want?
One of the cutest moments is when he casually admits he prefers sleeping on the right side of the bed so he’s closer to the door in case he needs to protect her from an intruder. Sir?? The CUTENESS?? I cannot.
And Charlotte (FMC) is equally amazing. She’s bold, confident, funny, and unapologetically herself. She brings the snark, the banter, and the confidence while still being incredibly loyal & supportive. I loved how she could hang with the guys but also be such a strong, caring friend. She’s the kind of FMC I’d happily read again and again.
For a novella, this book does something I really appreciate: it manages to give us plot, backstory, tension, banter, spice, friendship, sports action, and a satisfying romance all in a shorter format. That balance is not easy, but Jillian absolutely nailed it.
And we get hockey AND curling, which was such a fun combination. The sports details felt spot-on and added so much personality to the story. Plus the teammates, friendships, and group banter were fantastic.
We even get little hints toward Green Bay Bobcats book three, which has me very excited for what’s coming next. And honestly, I’m going to need novellas for the rest of Luke’s team and Liv because I am already invested.
And then… that ending. Jillian… that ending. 🤯
So yes, please hold while I immediately go read the rest of this series while impatiently waiting for the next book.
February 13, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. I’ll be honest, I had never heard of this author or any of her other books, but I was tooling around Threads, being super excited about the Winter Olympics, and bam! this was a book that was recommended. So I downloaded it…really without any preconceived thoughts about it. And y’all…I’m so happy I did!! This is great…our FMC is a badass hockey player (goodness but I love women’s hockey!!), the MMC is a seriously sexy curler, it’s a brother’s best friend trope (one of my faves!), and seriously great endings all around. I highly recommend this book! It’s short, so it’s a pretty fast read, and it was a really nice palate cleanser for me after starting a different book by a different author that I had really wanted to like but really fell short of the mark for me. This was my gold medal read after the other one didn’t even podium! (See what I did there?? lol)
Fun things to find inside:
- a kickass, Olympic-level athlete FMC
- a brother’s best friend who’s slightly older and double-take sexy (who’s also a world-class athlete)
- a solid recounting of the two sports involved - hockey and curling (I kinda really dislike it when books are marketed as “sports” romances and then the sport in question shows up as one mention on one page buried deep in the plot)
- beautiful descriptions that made my seriously in-athletic self wanna become an Olympian
- intriguing side characters
- and a brother who has a reaction to the plot that is not like most other books of this trope, and that’s a great thing! (Seriously! How her brother reacts was one of my favorite parts!!)
TLDR: A fun, flirty, sexy, short romp of a story with some great characters and a plot that really helped ramp me up and get me excited during these Winter Olympics!
Fun things to find inside:
- a kickass, Olympic-level athlete FMC
- a brother’s best friend who’s slightly older and double-take sexy (who’s also a world-class athlete)
- a solid recounting of the two sports involved - hockey and curling (I kinda really dislike it when books are marketed as “sports” romances and then the sport in question shows up as one mention on one page buried deep in the plot)
- beautiful descriptions that made my seriously in-athletic self wanna become an Olympian
- intriguing side characters
- and a brother who has a reaction to the plot that is not like most other books of this trope, and that’s a great thing! (Seriously! How her brother reacts was one of my favorite parts!!)
TLDR: A fun, flirty, sexy, short romp of a story with some great characters and a plot that really helped ramp me up and get me excited during these Winter Olympics!
March 5, 2026
-Jillian. DAMN GIRL. You really know how to write a FMC! Because I am down BAD for this FMC. So please keep writing FMC’s that are total badasses please because they are always wanted and appreciated here. Then, you know how they say you learn something new everyday? Well I definitely learned Curling in this book and I am not about it at all. So thanks for teaching me about a sport that I am suddenly in awe of. So thanks for the curling lesson and keeping FMC’s badasses.
-CHARLIE. I THINK I AM IN LOVE. Like in a hopelessly obsessed kind of way. Obsessed with that YOU are in control in the bedroom. And TRUST ME. IT’S AS HOT AS IT SOUNDS. Hopelessly love that you are pierced and he’s not. I wish I had that level of pain tolerance. And obsessed with you winning gold and getting your man. So thanks for giving me just the slightest bit of confidence in myself.
-Luke. WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO FIGHT IT? JUST GIVE IN ALREADY. Give into fucking your best friend’s little sister. Give into sleeping in that ONE BED with her. Give into that showing up to all her games. Give into winning curling gold at the olympics. And give into getting your girl. And spoiler alert: HE DID GIVE IN and I will be giving into ALL the things now in the best ways possible.
-Lastly, I NEED ANSWERS JILLAIN. Will Connor be the third book in Bobcats series? The “My Wife” Contact? Who is the FMC? Have we met her already in other books? Will one of the tropes be a marriage of convenience if Connor is the third book? See, so many questions that need answers, so thanks for making me IMMEDIATELY want more from you. Hate/Love You.xoxo
-CHARLIE. I THINK I AM IN LOVE. Like in a hopelessly obsessed kind of way. Obsessed with that YOU are in control in the bedroom. And TRUST ME. IT’S AS HOT AS IT SOUNDS. Hopelessly love that you are pierced and he’s not. I wish I had that level of pain tolerance. And obsessed with you winning gold and getting your man. So thanks for giving me just the slightest bit of confidence in myself.
-Luke. WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO FIGHT IT? JUST GIVE IN ALREADY. Give into fucking your best friend’s little sister. Give into sleeping in that ONE BED with her. Give into that showing up to all her games. Give into winning curling gold at the olympics. And give into getting your girl. And spoiler alert: HE DID GIVE IN and I will be giving into ALL the things now in the best ways possible.
-Lastly, I NEED ANSWERS JILLAIN. Will Connor be the third book in Bobcats series? The “My Wife” Contact? Who is the FMC? Have we met her already in other books? Will one of the tropes be a marriage of convenience if Connor is the third book? See, so many questions that need answers, so thanks for making me IMMEDIATELY want more from you. Hate/Love You.xoxo
February 25, 2026
This was the perfect little novella to help me get over my post Winter Olympic mood slump ❄️
The story takes place at a Winter Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden where our FMC, Charlotte accidentally runs into her long time crush Luke. Luke, our MMC, is the best friend of Charlotte’s brother and is representing the United States as the Skip of his curling team. Luke, although slightly older may also have a long outstanding attraction to Charlotte who happens to be at the Olympics playing for the United States Women’s Hockey team.
While the Olympic Village may have a promiscuous reputation Charlotte and Luke find themselves unable to stay in the poorly provided living arrangements. After many calls Luke is successful at finding a hotel to escape to while also convincing Charlotte to come along too. When they get to their room where they are hoping for individual space they are surprised to find only one queen bed in the room… 😉
Wha to expect:
🥌 Winter Olympic Novella
🏒 Female Hockey Player x Male Curling Skip
🥌 Older Brother’s Best Friend
🏒 One Bed
If you’re also feeling down that the Olympics are over and want to hang on to those feeling a little longer I would suggest checking out this novella available on KU. I enjoyed the quick read. At some points I would have liked a little bit more of the back story and a slower burn, but given that it’s a novella it was great for what I was looking for!! ♥️🤍🩵🥇
The story takes place at a Winter Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden where our FMC, Charlotte accidentally runs into her long time crush Luke. Luke, our MMC, is the best friend of Charlotte’s brother and is representing the United States as the Skip of his curling team. Luke, although slightly older may also have a long outstanding attraction to Charlotte who happens to be at the Olympics playing for the United States Women’s Hockey team.
While the Olympic Village may have a promiscuous reputation Charlotte and Luke find themselves unable to stay in the poorly provided living arrangements. After many calls Luke is successful at finding a hotel to escape to while also convincing Charlotte to come along too. When they get to their room where they are hoping for individual space they are surprised to find only one queen bed in the room… 😉
Wha to expect:
🥌 Winter Olympic Novella
🏒 Female Hockey Player x Male Curling Skip
🥌 Older Brother’s Best Friend
🏒 One Bed
If you’re also feeling down that the Olympics are over and want to hang on to those feeling a little longer I would suggest checking out this novella available on KU. I enjoyed the quick read. At some points I would have liked a little bit more of the back story and a slower burn, but given that it’s a novella it was great for what I was looking for!! ♥️🤍🩵🥇
February 14, 2026
Thank you @jillianarlyauthor for an ARC!
𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Sticks & Stones
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Jillian Arly
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: February 9, 2026
5⭐️
🏒 𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 🏒
This is the perfect novella to read during the Winter Olympics! My friend Jillian knocks this novella out of the park (or hits the hockey puck into the goal?!)! This fun Winter Olympics based novella has romance, sports action, chemistry, banter, fun friends, and vulnerable moments.
Two athletes, Charlie and Luke, have made it into the Olympics for women’s hockey and curling. Luke is Charlie’s brother’s best friend and her childhood crush… and both are pleasantly surprised to run into one another. Luke is there to save the day for Charlie when she’s in a bad lodging location… leading to some forced proximity and hotel sharing.
I enjoyed the chemistry and vulnerability that quickly blossomed between these two as they supported each other on their Olympic journeys. Their romance was fun and real!
I loved the friends and teammates, all the banter, joking around and support for each other. When Charlie’s brother Connor finally shows up, there’s mystery and intrigue surrounding him and why he was late!
Pick this up for a quick spicy sports romance read! It will make you want to watch and learn curling too! 🥌
🏒 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
🇺🇸 Winter Olympics
🥌 Hockey/Curling Romance
🏒 Brother’s Best Friend
🥌 Only One Bed(room)
𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Sticks & Stones
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Jillian Arly
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: February 9, 2026
5⭐️
🏒 𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 🏒
This is the perfect novella to read during the Winter Olympics! My friend Jillian knocks this novella out of the park (or hits the hockey puck into the goal?!)! This fun Winter Olympics based novella has romance, sports action, chemistry, banter, fun friends, and vulnerable moments.
Two athletes, Charlie and Luke, have made it into the Olympics for women’s hockey and curling. Luke is Charlie’s brother’s best friend and her childhood crush… and both are pleasantly surprised to run into one another. Luke is there to save the day for Charlie when she’s in a bad lodging location… leading to some forced proximity and hotel sharing.
I enjoyed the chemistry and vulnerability that quickly blossomed between these two as they supported each other on their Olympic journeys. Their romance was fun and real!
I loved the friends and teammates, all the banter, joking around and support for each other. When Charlie’s brother Connor finally shows up, there’s mystery and intrigue surrounding him and why he was late!
Pick this up for a quick spicy sports romance read! It will make you want to watch and learn curling too! 🥌
🏒 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
🇺🇸 Winter Olympics
🥌 Hockey/Curling Romance
🏒 Brother’s Best Friend
🥌 Only One Bed(room)
February 22, 2026
Charlotte Smith is representing the U.S. Women’s Hockey Team, determined to focus on the Games even if the accommodations leave a lot to be desired. She runs into her brother’s best friend Luke, now playing for the Men’s Curling Team (her crush since fifth grade) and her long-buried feelings come rushing back.
When Luke offers her the chance to escape to the hotel he found, she cautiously agrees, only to discover there’s just one bed. It’s definitely an upgrade from where she was staying, and as an elite athlete she needs proper rest, right? But sharing close quarters with the boy she’s crushed on proves to be the real challenge. These two have fantastic banter and undeniable spark. While Charlotte is very aware of her lingering feelings, Luke can’t seem to stay away either. I loved his protective streak.
I really enjoyed this winter Olympic novella! It was fun, flirty, and perfectly paced with just the right amount of spice. The descriptive writing made the Olympic setting feel vivid and realistic. A quick, cozy sports romance that really delivers.
When Luke offers her the chance to escape to the hotel he found, she cautiously agrees, only to discover there’s just one bed. It’s definitely an upgrade from where she was staying, and as an elite athlete she needs proper rest, right? But sharing close quarters with the boy she’s crushed on proves to be the real challenge. These two have fantastic banter and undeniable spark. While Charlotte is very aware of her lingering feelings, Luke can’t seem to stay away either. I loved his protective streak.
I really enjoyed this winter Olympic novella! It was fun, flirty, and perfectly paced with just the right amount of spice. The descriptive writing made the Olympic setting feel vivid and realistic. A quick, cozy sports romance that really delivers.
February 9, 2026
This novella made me so happy! We get Connor’s little sister, Charlotte, and his best friend, Luke’s HEA in this one! Read this in one sitting because it was such an easy read!
Charlotte and Luke are in Sweden for the Olympics. They both know each other are there, they just don’t know they’ve had a crush on each other for years. Once they run into each other, everything comes to a head.
The chemistry between Luke and Charlotte was undeniable. The one liners and that tension building was absolutely delicious. We really got the feeling of these two knowing each other for so long that when they finally give in, it’s just so natural. And I got to learn more about curling because before this, I had no idea. And Jillian, that ending 🤯.
Thank you to Jillian Arly for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tropes:
🏒Winter Olympics novella
🥌Athlete x athlete
🏒FMC hockey player
🥌MMC curling player
🏒One bed
🥌Brothers best friend
🏒Age gap
Charlotte and Luke are in Sweden for the Olympics. They both know each other are there, they just don’t know they’ve had a crush on each other for years. Once they run into each other, everything comes to a head.
The chemistry between Luke and Charlotte was undeniable. The one liners and that tension building was absolutely delicious. We really got the feeling of these two knowing each other for so long that when they finally give in, it’s just so natural. And I got to learn more about curling because before this, I had no idea. And Jillian, that ending 🤯.
Thank you to Jillian Arly for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tropes:
🏒Winter Olympics novella
🥌Athlete x athlete
🏒FMC hockey player
🥌MMC curling player
🏒One bed
🥌Brothers best friend
🏒Age gap
February 10, 2026
A Winter Olympics novella..are you kidding me?!?!As someone who loves to watch the Olympics Jillian Arly wrote the most PERFECT story. You best believe I was curled up in a chair with the Olympics on in the background, while binge reading. Not only was there romance and banter but learning a little about the sport of curling was an added bonus. Charlotte and Luke have a long history and from the moment they first see each other in Sweden for the Olympics their connection is undeniable. Can’t forget a little peak into the Green Bay Bobcats 👀
Available now on KU
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️
🥌 Winter Olympics Novella
🏒 Athlete x Athlete
🥌 Female Hockey Player x Male Curling Skip
🏒 One Bed
🥌 Brothers Best Friend
🏒 Small Age Gap (he’s 7 years older)
#jillianarly #sticksandatones #tbr #tbrlist #romancebookrecommendations #pagesandprescriptionss #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #teamusa #olympics #winterolympics #olympicbookrecommendation
Available now on KU
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️
🥌 Winter Olympics Novella
🏒 Athlete x Athlete
🥌 Female Hockey Player x Male Curling Skip
🏒 One Bed
🥌 Brothers Best Friend
🏒 Small Age Gap (he’s 7 years older)
#jillianarly #sticksandatones #tbr #tbrlist #romancebookrecommendations #pagesandprescriptionss #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #teamusa #olympics #winterolympics #olympicbookrecommendation
February 11, 2026
Charlie is at the Olympics. She and her roommate might not have the ideal dorm, but her spirits are high and she just ran into her brother's best friend (and her longtime crush). Luke is moving his curling team out of the Olympic Village and into a hotel and since there is enough space, he insists Charlie joins them. Only the room he's sharing with his best friend's sister (who is very off limits despite his massive crush) only has one bed.
Read if you like:
-Olympic Romance
-Only One Bed
-Hockey Player x Curling Team Skip
-Brother's Best Friend
-Off Limits
Stick & Stones is so good! I devoured this novella. If you have Olympic Game brain-rot like I do, it's the perfect thing to read between events. Only one bed is always such a delicious trope and I love that Jillian paired it with a best friend's little sister situation. The added 'f*ck it' moment was just the cherry on top.
Read if you like:
-Olympic Romance
-Only One Bed
-Hockey Player x Curling Team Skip
-Brother's Best Friend
-Off Limits
Stick & Stones is so good! I devoured this novella. If you have Olympic Game brain-rot like I do, it's the perfect thing to read between events. Only one bed is always such a delicious trope and I love that Jillian paired it with a best friend's little sister situation. The added 'f*ck it' moment was just the cherry on top.
February 12, 2026
This one was so cute! Charlie (Charlotte) and Luke have been in each other’s lives for a while. Luke is best friends with Connor (IYKYK) Charlie’s brother, forever. Luke noticed everything about her, but didn’t want to cross the line. But now they are both here competing at the Olympics and there is only one bed.
I love Jillian’s books and this one is no different. It comes at a perfect time, too. Her description of the sports are spot on. But this couple! I love Charlie’s attitude and confidence (even when it is forced sometimes) and I love how Luke is attentive and protective. Sometimes we alpha girls need that, but we also like a guy who lets us be ourselves. It is a perfect novella and has a little hint or two toward’s Bobcat’s book three (yeah!) I am going to need novellas on the rest of Luke’s team and Liv or peeks of them in the Bobcat’s series please and thank you. Go watch some curling and then read this. 5/5⭐️4/5🌶️
I received an advanced copy of this book.
I love Jillian’s books and this one is no different. It comes at a perfect time, too. Her description of the sports are spot on. But this couple! I love Charlie’s attitude and confidence (even when it is forced sometimes) and I love how Luke is attentive and protective. Sometimes we alpha girls need that, but we also like a guy who lets us be ourselves. It is a perfect novella and has a little hint or two toward’s Bobcat’s book three (yeah!) I am going to need novellas on the rest of Luke’s team and Liv or peeks of them in the Bobcat’s series please and thank you. Go watch some curling and then read this. 5/5⭐️4/5🌶️
I received an advanced copy of this book.
February 20, 2026
This novella is a great example of forbidden love/brother's best friend, with plenty of witty banter. I'd like to say he falls first, but really they have both have been crushing for a long time, so both of them fell at the same time I guess. She is the confident one though, he is far more awkward, but obsessed all the same. Also, let me just say, the spice in this book is glorious. Maybe a strange word choice, but it's what I've got. It. Is. GOOD. The story takes place at the Winter Olympics, with both MC's being there for the first time and enjoying the wonder, and the stress of it all. Our FMC is a hockey player, and our MMC is on the curling team. The story centers around the sports, while still not beating you over the head with it. A less than ideal lodging situation finds them in a one room, one bed situation and things heat up quickly. Overall I am glad that I decided to pick this one up!
February 11, 2026
Synopsis/Thoughts: Hockey player Charlie and curling skip Luke have always fought their attraction to each other because Luke is Charlie’s older brother’s best friend. But when they find themselves both competing in the Olympic Games in Sweden and sharing a bed, will they be able to resist?
If you’re like me and obsessed with all things Olympics, you cannot miss this sweet and spicy novella! It is such a fun look at the lives of athletes during the games, and I loved all the hockey and curling details! Charlie and Luke are such a cute couple - their chemistry and banter is on point and the spice is spicing! And the ending! Let’s just say if you haven’t read Jillian’s Bobcats series yet, you’ll be sprinting to grab them.
Read this if you like:
🥌 Winter Olympics
🥌 curling
🥌 hockey
🥌 brother’s best friend
🥌 one bed
🥌 (small) age gap
If you’re like me and obsessed with all things Olympics, you cannot miss this sweet and spicy novella! It is such a fun look at the lives of athletes during the games, and I loved all the hockey and curling details! Charlie and Luke are such a cute couple - their chemistry and banter is on point and the spice is spicing! And the ending! Let’s just say if you haven’t read Jillian’s Bobcats series yet, you’ll be sprinting to grab them.
Read this if you like:
🥌 Winter Olympics
🥌 curling
🥌 hockey
🥌 brother’s best friend
🥌 one bed
🥌 (small) age gap
February 12, 2026
This was such a quick, fun read and honestly just what I needed. And of course, it was spicyyyyyyyy. The mouth on this man came out of nowhere and knocked the breath out of me. I am still a bit short of breathe.
Charlotte is a sassy, badass woman who has had a crush on her brother’s best friend since childhood. Lucas is confident, loyal, and from the moment he spots Charlie, he can’t keep his eyes off his best friend’s sister. Their chemistry is undeniable from the very first moment in the village,and it very quickly becomes clear that they have been written in the stars long before coming to the winter olympics. It's a push and pull but the moment they give in? the sparks were flyingggggg. They had me swooning and giggling my feet like a little school girl!
And that ending? I was definitely screaming in Jillian's DMs, but I am ready for The Green Bay Bobcats book 3
Charlotte is a sassy, badass woman who has had a crush on her brother’s best friend since childhood. Lucas is confident, loyal, and from the moment he spots Charlie, he can’t keep his eyes off his best friend’s sister. Their chemistry is undeniable from the very first moment in the village,and it very quickly becomes clear that they have been written in the stars long before coming to the winter olympics. It's a push and pull but the moment they give in? the sparks were flyingggggg. They had me swooning and giggling my feet like a little school girl!
And that ending? I was definitely screaming in Jillian's DMs, but I am ready for The Green Bay Bobcats book 3
February 24, 2026
Sticks + Stones by Jillian Arly - 5 ⭐
This was just the perfect little read for me because I am a huge Winter Olympics and curling fan! And although I don’t follow hockey I am still on the high of watching all things Winter Olympics so also loved reading about it!
This was my first book by Jillian and definitely won’t be my last as I loved her writing style, her characters and storyline. I was laughing at this so much and also swooning! So much fun! I definitely could’ve read a whole full length book about these characters and I definitely can’t wait for the brother’s story!! This also contained some of my favourite tropes, only one bed in particular! And brother’s best friend, where the brother isn’t overly involved or an idiot about the relationship.
Can’t wait to read Behind the Bench by Jillian, I downloaded it as soon as I finished this!
This was just the perfect little read for me because I am a huge Winter Olympics and curling fan! And although I don’t follow hockey I am still on the high of watching all things Winter Olympics so also loved reading about it!
This was my first book by Jillian and definitely won’t be my last as I loved her writing style, her characters and storyline. I was laughing at this so much and also swooning! So much fun! I definitely could’ve read a whole full length book about these characters and I definitely can’t wait for the brother’s story!! This also contained some of my favourite tropes, only one bed in particular! And brother’s best friend, where the brother isn’t overly involved or an idiot about the relationship.
Can’t wait to read Behind the Bench by Jillian, I downloaded it as soon as I finished this!
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