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Hockey Rules #6
Rule #6: Never Announce You’re Dating the Massage Therapist
I blame the heart monitor.
When I find myself at Florian Richter’s hospital bedside, I’m only there because Coach asked. The icy German defenseman has avoided me since the day he bolted from my massage table.
So when he wakes up with amnesia and assumes I'm his boyfriend? I attempt to correct him. Obviously. After all, he’s straight. Not that he’s ever been linked with anyone.
But then his heart monitor starts racing, nurses come running, and suddenly I’m telling everyone that yes, we’re absolutely together, and yes, I’ll take him home.
Now I’m fake-dating a man who used to scurry away when he saw me. This Florian looks at me with adoration. This Florian announces to a crowd of paparazzi outside the hospital that I’m his boyfriend.
This Florian will get his memory back at any moment.
And when he does, he’ll remember he can’t stand me.
When I find myself at Florian Richter’s hospital bedside, I’m only there because Coach asked. The icy German defenseman has avoided me since the day he bolted from my massage table.
So when he wakes up with amnesia and assumes I'm his boyfriend? I attempt to correct him. Obviously. After all, he’s straight. Not that he’s ever been linked with anyone.
But then his heart monitor starts racing, nurses come running, and suddenly I’m telling everyone that yes, we’re absolutely together, and yes, I’ll take him home.
Now I’m fake-dating a man who used to scurry away when he saw me. This Florian looks at me with adoration. This Florian announces to a crowd of paparazzi outside the hospital that I’m his boyfriend.
This Florian will get his memory back at any moment.
And when he does, he’ll remember he can’t stand me.
- GenresM M RomanceHockey
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 10, 2026
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April 14, 2026
Tropes: amnesia, fake dating, size difference, forced proximity
Feels: 1/5
Steam*: 0.5/5
Kinks: n/a
Angst: low
HEA: HEA
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings/representation: concussion, being closeted
Cheating between MCs: No
Any cheating: No
Other person drama: No
2.25 stars
Florian is 24. He recently moved from Germany to Boston to play for the Boston NHL team. He is a huge guy, a defenseman. He is gay but closeted, he's never been with anyone before. He comes from an academic family, and he is incredibly awkward.
Mateo is 26, gay and out, and he works as a massage therapist for Florian's team. Florian avoids Mateo because he's attracted to him. Mateo thinks he hates him and is homophobic. Then Florian gets hit on the ice and gets a concussion, and has amnesia. When he wakes up in the hospital he thinks that Mateo is his boyfriend, and he publicly claims him to everyone. And makes it really awkward for Mateo to extract the two of them from this mess. They spend 46% of the book together, with Florian thinking that they are together, and then he finds out they aren't, but they keep faking it but also add kissing and hooking up to the mix.
This book was painful to read. The second hand embarrassment I felt at every moment just made this not enjoyable whatsoever. The visit to the pharmacy for supplies was traumatizing. Florian was so awkward, and maybe in part it was English being his second language, but everything about his interactions with Mateo and everyone else in his life was stilted. Even when they hooked up, it was so clinical, cold, dispassionate. There was one moment where they impulsively kissed at like 85%, and that was as passionate as they got.
It was wild for Florian to be insisting he loved Mateo even though he had absolutely no memory of him. And this was just an awful situation, like Mateo wasn't doing Florian any favor by pretending to be with him. Letting him think they were together had massive repercussions on his life, changed all the dynamics in his family, his professional life. Yeah coming out is positive, being yourself is positive, but Florian should have been able to make choices for himself with all the facts. And it was just unfair to Florian.
Some notable moments:
"Florian Richter is not any other player. Florian Richter is the player who sprinted from my massage room three weeks ago. He’s since perfected the art of vanishing whenever I enter a room. He once saw me coming down an empty hallway, then ducked into the janitor’s closet. There is absolutely no reason for him to have been in a room filled with mops and sponges and cleaning detergents. None."
"And then Florian lifts Troy into his arms, bridal style, as Troy kicks and squirms, then he carries Troy out of the massage room. I follow them into the hallway. The team is staring at Florian and Troy. “Florian?” Luke’s mouth drops open. “You’re back?” “Temporarily,” Florian says. “For a very short time actually.” Axel and Enzo and Luke and Jason and Noah and Finn and Vinnie and Evan gape. “Dude,” Axel says. “Why are you here?” “I’m in love,” Florian announces, still carrying Troy in his arms. “You’re in love with Troy?” Axel exclaims. “That’s not cool.” Axel glances at me. Sympathy is evident on his face. “I’m sorry, Mateo. That’s got to suck.” “What?” Florian asks. Axel gestures to Troy, then Florian looks astonished. “I am not in love with Troy!”"
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
Feels: 1/5
Steam*: 0.5/5
Kinks: n/a
Angst: low
HEA: HEA
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings/representation: concussion, being closeted
Cheating between MCs: No
Any cheating: No
Other person drama: No
2.25 stars
Florian is 24. He recently moved from Germany to Boston to play for the Boston NHL team. He is a huge guy, a defenseman. He is gay but closeted, he's never been with anyone before. He comes from an academic family, and he is incredibly awkward.
Mateo is 26, gay and out, and he works as a massage therapist for Florian's team. Florian avoids Mateo because he's attracted to him. Mateo thinks he hates him and is homophobic. Then Florian gets hit on the ice and gets a concussion, and has amnesia. When he wakes up in the hospital he thinks that Mateo is his boyfriend, and he publicly claims him to everyone. And makes it really awkward for Mateo to extract the two of them from this mess. They spend 46% of the book together, with Florian thinking that they are together, and then he finds out they aren't, but they keep faking it but also add kissing and hooking up to the mix.
This book was painful to read. The second hand embarrassment I felt at every moment just made this not enjoyable whatsoever. The visit to the pharmacy for supplies was traumatizing. Florian was so awkward, and maybe in part it was English being his second language, but everything about his interactions with Mateo and everyone else in his life was stilted. Even when they hooked up, it was so clinical, cold, dispassionate. There was one moment where they impulsively kissed at like 85%, and that was as passionate as they got.
It was wild for Florian to be insisting he loved Mateo even though he had absolutely no memory of him. And this was just an awful situation, like Mateo wasn't doing Florian any favor by pretending to be with him. Letting him think they were together had massive repercussions on his life, changed all the dynamics in his family, his professional life. Yeah coming out is positive, being yourself is positive, but Florian should have been able to make choices for himself with all the facts. And it was just unfair to Florian.
Some notable moments:
"Florian Richter is not any other player. Florian Richter is the player who sprinted from my massage room three weeks ago. He’s since perfected the art of vanishing whenever I enter a room. He once saw me coming down an empty hallway, then ducked into the janitor’s closet. There is absolutely no reason for him to have been in a room filled with mops and sponges and cleaning detergents. None."
"And then Florian lifts Troy into his arms, bridal style, as Troy kicks and squirms, then he carries Troy out of the massage room. I follow them into the hallway. The team is staring at Florian and Troy. “Florian?” Luke’s mouth drops open. “You’re back?” “Temporarily,” Florian says. “For a very short time actually.” Axel and Enzo and Luke and Jason and Noah and Finn and Vinnie and Evan gape. “Dude,” Axel says. “Why are you here?” “I’m in love,” Florian announces, still carrying Troy in his arms. “You’re in love with Troy?” Axel exclaims. “That’s not cool.” Axel glances at me. Sympathy is evident on his face. “I’m sorry, Mateo. That’s got to suck.” “What?” Florian asks. Axel gestures to Troy, then Florian looks astonished. “I am not in love with Troy!”"
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 15, 2026Who knew that a bout of amnesia could allow Florian to stop hiding a huge part of himself and embrace, not only his sexuality, but the man who woke up those desires... his massage therapist. You do have to suspend reality a bit - amnesia, fake dating, coming out, so much going on... and then Florian remembers and that causes their relationship to take even more turns.
This was a fun read, especially watching Florian learn to communicate with Mateo and seeing their relationship unfold in spite of themselves and each other.
This was a fun read, especially watching Florian learn to communicate with Mateo and seeing their relationship unfold in spite of themselves and each other.
Review of advance copy
My latest read was Rule #6: Never Announce You’re Dating the Massage Therapist, by Portia Blake. I was fortunate enough to be given an ARC of this book, but my review is given voluntarily. This is the third book of this author that I’ve read from the Hockey Rules series, thoroughly enjoying each one and looking forward to reading the others in the series. While considered standalones, they are interconnected in that characters from each book make appearances or are mentioned in each book of the series.
This particular story revolves around hockey defenseman, Florian Richter, and the team’s massage therapist, Mateo (I don’t think we ever got his last name). Florian suffers an injury during a game that causes amnesia, and upon waking up he believes Mateo is his boyfriend. When Mateo tries to correct him, his heart rate shoots up and medical staff rush in, putting Mateo’s plans to reveal the truth on hold. The events that happen after that are sometimes comical, sometimes sad, and a bit tension-filled, knowing that at any moment Florian may regain his memory, and the truth will be revealed. However, that is their journey to their HEA.
The characters are well-developed, something this author excels at, and added even more enjoyment to this wonderfully written story. Special mentions go out to Mateo’s twin sister, Gina, Florian’s parents, and his sister, Annika, who seemed skeptical of their “relationship” from the beginning, but turned out to be okay, in my book, when the time was right.
Thank you, again, to the author for an escape from the real world with this touching romance. I also appreciate the fact that the side characters in this author’s books are so supportive and genuinely happy for the main characters. True, it may not be realistic, but hey, it’s fiction. The spice level was about a 2 out of 5, which is fine with me. Between the story, the characters, and the HEA, I gladly give this book a 9 out of 10, translated to a 5 out of 5, after rounding.
To both Florian and Mateo, enjoy the balloon ride. IYKYK.
This particular story revolves around hockey defenseman, Florian Richter, and the team’s massage therapist, Mateo (I don’t think we ever got his last name). Florian suffers an injury during a game that causes amnesia, and upon waking up he believes Mateo is his boyfriend. When Mateo tries to correct him, his heart rate shoots up and medical staff rush in, putting Mateo’s plans to reveal the truth on hold. The events that happen after that are sometimes comical, sometimes sad, and a bit tension-filled, knowing that at any moment Florian may regain his memory, and the truth will be revealed. However, that is their journey to their HEA.
The characters are well-developed, something this author excels at, and added even more enjoyment to this wonderfully written story. Special mentions go out to Mateo’s twin sister, Gina, Florian’s parents, and his sister, Annika, who seemed skeptical of their “relationship” from the beginning, but turned out to be okay, in my book, when the time was right.
Thank you, again, to the author for an escape from the real world with this touching romance. I also appreciate the fact that the side characters in this author’s books are so supportive and genuinely happy for the main characters. True, it may not be realistic, but hey, it’s fiction. The spice level was about a 2 out of 5, which is fine with me. Between the story, the characters, and the HEA, I gladly give this book a 9 out of 10, translated to a 5 out of 5, after rounding.
To both Florian and Mateo, enjoy the balloon ride. IYKYK.
April 18, 2026
Portia Blake does it again! I didn't think anyone could be sweeter or more endearing than Axel and Enzo, but Florian and Mateo managed it.
Can you imagine spending your whole life hiding who you are, then waking up one day thinking that the hardest thing you could ever imagine, so hard you couldn't even imagine doing it, is done, WAS done, is over and done and it's fine and now you just get to be yourself and be happy. In Florian's case he hadn't actually come out, but he thought he did, and he was so happy! He's the Sweet.
Meanwhile, poor Mateo got roped into going along with Florian's misunderstanding, by the doctor, and never dreamed that Florian would out himself so publicly that the lies would snowball into a Mulan-esque avalanche (complete with battle maidens, more on those chicks later). Mateo takes many steps throughout Florian's convalescence to protect Florian (like no sex), and is truly distressed to be lying to so many people. He's the Endearing.
I think this amnesia relationship to [spoilers] to HEA was balanced more perfectly than I could have imagined. As we entered each stage I worried how long it would be, and what would go wrong, and would there be a third act breakup, and was there going to be hate directed towards someone (anyone) but it was like the perfect pan of lasagna.
This was an absolute page turner, I was so into the book I forgot to take the kind of notes I try to take, but there’s this one scene… Mateo, Florian, and Troy in the massage room. No spoilers, but y’all. Go big or go home. I had to put my laptop down on the couch next to me so I wouldn't drop it on my cat's head (she was curled up on the ottoman in front of my chair).
Now, those battle maidens. Sisters, we must use our sister powers for good and not evil. Florian's sister? Ma'am. “Ich hab dich lieb”
Mateo’s sister? She can go take a long walk off a short pier.
I need more Portia Blake STAT!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Can you imagine spending your whole life hiding who you are, then waking up one day thinking that the hardest thing you could ever imagine, so hard you couldn't even imagine doing it, is done, WAS done, is over and done and it's fine and now you just get to be yourself and be happy. In Florian's case he hadn't actually come out, but he thought he did, and he was so happy! He's the Sweet.
Meanwhile, poor Mateo got roped into going along with Florian's misunderstanding, by the doctor, and never dreamed that Florian would out himself so publicly that the lies would snowball into a Mulan-esque avalanche (complete with battle maidens, more on those chicks later). Mateo takes many steps throughout Florian's convalescence to protect Florian (like no sex), and is truly distressed to be lying to so many people. He's the Endearing.
I think this amnesia relationship to [spoilers] to HEA was balanced more perfectly than I could have imagined. As we entered each stage I worried how long it would be, and what would go wrong, and would there be a third act breakup, and was there going to be hate directed towards someone (anyone) but it was like the perfect pan of lasagna.
This was an absolute page turner, I was so into the book I forgot to take the kind of notes I try to take, but there’s this one scene… Mateo, Florian, and Troy in the massage room. No spoilers, but y’all. Go big or go home. I had to put my laptop down on the couch next to me so I wouldn't drop it on my cat's head (she was curled up on the ottoman in front of my chair).
Now, those battle maidens. Sisters, we must use our sister powers for good and not evil. Florian's sister? Ma'am. “Ich hab dich lieb”
Mateo’s sister? She can go take a long walk off a short pier.
I need more Portia Blake STAT!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 13, 2026
A fun, heartfelt LGBT+ romance that hits the sweet spot without needing a puck in sight!
In Rule #6: Never Announce You’re Dating the Massage Therapist, by Portia Blake, we get a standalone story in the Hockey Rules series that skips on-ice action and doubles down on character chemistry. Florian Richter, a German defenseman sidelined by injury, wakes up with amnesia and hilariously (and a bit awkwardly) assumes Matteo — the team’s energetic, gay massage therapist — is his boyfriend. What follows is a charming forced-proximity romance as Matteo goes along with the mix-up to spare Florian’s health, leading them into fake dating, accidental declarations (paparazzi and all), and real emotional connection.
What I loved most about this book was the emotional core of the two leads. Florian’s vulnerability and Matteo’s bright spirit made me root for them from page one — I definitely wanted to hug Florian more than once! Their insecurities played nicely off each other, and even when communication got muddled (classic rom-com trope), their gradual understanding was genuinely satisfying. Matteo’s perspective added light and humor that balanced Florian’s internal struggles beautifully.
That said, if you’re looking for hard hockey action, this isn’t it — the sport mostly hangs in the background. And while the amnesia/fake-dating setup is a fun engine for chaos and sweetness, it does dip into familiar beats you’ve likely seen before in romance. But Blake’s writing is easy to read, warm, and sprinkled with just the right amount of goofy charm to keep it engaging.
All in all, this was a very enjoyable read. It’s heartfelt, funny, and deeply satisfying — especially if you like queer romance where the heart matters more than the sport. I’m giving it 4 out of 5 stars and happily recommend it alongside the other entries in the Hockey Rules universe
In Rule #6: Never Announce You’re Dating the Massage Therapist, by Portia Blake, we get a standalone story in the Hockey Rules series that skips on-ice action and doubles down on character chemistry. Florian Richter, a German defenseman sidelined by injury, wakes up with amnesia and hilariously (and a bit awkwardly) assumes Matteo — the team’s energetic, gay massage therapist — is his boyfriend. What follows is a charming forced-proximity romance as Matteo goes along with the mix-up to spare Florian’s health, leading them into fake dating, accidental declarations (paparazzi and all), and real emotional connection.
What I loved most about this book was the emotional core of the two leads. Florian’s vulnerability and Matteo’s bright spirit made me root for them from page one — I definitely wanted to hug Florian more than once! Their insecurities played nicely off each other, and even when communication got muddled (classic rom-com trope), their gradual understanding was genuinely satisfying. Matteo’s perspective added light and humor that balanced Florian’s internal struggles beautifully.
That said, if you’re looking for hard hockey action, this isn’t it — the sport mostly hangs in the background. And while the amnesia/fake-dating setup is a fun engine for chaos and sweetness, it does dip into familiar beats you’ve likely seen before in romance. But Blake’s writing is easy to read, warm, and sprinkled with just the right amount of goofy charm to keep it engaging.
All in all, this was a very enjoyable read. It’s heartfelt, funny, and deeply satisfying — especially if you like queer romance where the heart matters more than the sport. I’m giving it 4 out of 5 stars and happily recommend it alongside the other entries in the Hockey Rules universe
April 12, 2026
MY OPINION: I’ve read several of these books and enjoyed them all. They are not a series but a collection of books around the same hockey team. You might briefly get a cameo or a prior couple but generally they stand alone and can be read in any order. Each of them has different MCs, some of which you have never met before. It’s also a different timeline in the season, or which season?
With all that, there isn’t a lot of hockey; in fact, there is no hockey because one of the main characters is out with an injury. Florian is a hockey player who gets injured and finds himself happily coming out and feeling love. The way this character is written made me want to hug the stuffing out of him. He has the right amount of intelligence, but the language barrier slows him down when communicating.
The love interest in this one is Matteo, who is the opposite of Florian. A sparkly, bouncy massage therapist who can’t help but be attracted to the German. These two find themselves in an amnesia-based forced proximity that is filled with some great humor and some emotional bits.
I really enjoyed these two coming together. Both of the MCs had a solid grip on my heart, and I wanted them to figure out how to be together. Both of them suffered from a good amount of insecurities, which, of course, complicates things. Ultimately, we get our HEA, and it’s made me happy.
Overall, this is such a wonderful story of two great guys. There is hockey around it, but we get to know the families and the MCs without ever stepping on the ice. There are a few spicy bits, but generally it’s about their hearts. I recommend this one along with the others; they are fun couples with plenty of story between the pages.
With all that, there isn’t a lot of hockey; in fact, there is no hockey because one of the main characters is out with an injury. Florian is a hockey player who gets injured and finds himself happily coming out and feeling love. The way this character is written made me want to hug the stuffing out of him. He has the right amount of intelligence, but the language barrier slows him down when communicating.
The love interest in this one is Matteo, who is the opposite of Florian. A sparkly, bouncy massage therapist who can’t help but be attracted to the German. These two find themselves in an amnesia-based forced proximity that is filled with some great humor and some emotional bits.
I really enjoyed these two coming together. Both of the MCs had a solid grip on my heart, and I wanted them to figure out how to be together. Both of them suffered from a good amount of insecurities, which, of course, complicates things. Ultimately, we get our HEA, and it’s made me happy.
Overall, this is such a wonderful story of two great guys. There is hockey around it, but we get to know the families and the MCs without ever stepping on the ice. There are a few spicy bits, but generally it’s about their hearts. I recommend this one along with the others; they are fun couples with plenty of story between the pages.
April 14, 2026
I think I haven’t read the other books in the series, and this one works pretty much as a standalone.
What an absolute mess Tristan and Mateo made... I swear, I spent half this book laughing out loud.
Of course, since it’s fiction, you kind of have to ignore some real-life logic, like coworkers getting involved, the slightly over-the-top reactions after coming out, and some of the changes (no spoilers).
I LOVED Tristan being completely gone for Mateo. Even with him having no memories, Tristan was just… all in. And once he let go of all that fear—of coming out, finding someone, starting something—he really went for it. It just shows how much we hold ourselves back without even realizing it. And that moment in the hospital when he calls Mateo his boyfriend—and you can feel how relieved he is—that really hit me.
This book is such a classic rom-com vibe—misunderstandings, secondhand embarrassment, cute moments—and the pharmacy scene?? Easily one of the funniest things I’ve ever read, no joke.
I also loved how both of them are just genuinely GOOD people. Like, they feel so guilty about hurting each other that they basically punish themselves for it. Mateo feels awful about lying to Florian, and then Florian feels bad for putting Mateo in that position in the first place. At some point I was just like… they’re all just in love, your honor.
I loved this book so much that I’ll probably go back and read the whole series… even though I started with the last one hahaha. Also, I have to say—it’s 4am in my country right now, and I read this book nonstop from the moment I started at 10pm.
What an absolute mess Tristan and Mateo made... I swear, I spent half this book laughing out loud.
Of course, since it’s fiction, you kind of have to ignore some real-life logic, like coworkers getting involved, the slightly over-the-top reactions after coming out, and some of the changes (no spoilers).
I LOVED Tristan being completely gone for Mateo. Even with him having no memories, Tristan was just… all in. And once he let go of all that fear—of coming out, finding someone, starting something—he really went for it. It just shows how much we hold ourselves back without even realizing it. And that moment in the hospital when he calls Mateo his boyfriend—and you can feel how relieved he is—that really hit me.
This book is such a classic rom-com vibe—misunderstandings, secondhand embarrassment, cute moments—and the pharmacy scene?? Easily one of the funniest things I’ve ever read, no joke.
I also loved how both of them are just genuinely GOOD people. Like, they feel so guilty about hurting each other that they basically punish themselves for it. Mateo feels awful about lying to Florian, and then Florian feels bad for putting Mateo in that position in the first place. At some point I was just like… they’re all just in love, your honor.
I loved this book so much that I’ll probably go back and read the whole series… even though I started with the last one hahaha. Also, I have to say—it’s 4am in my country right now, and I read this book nonstop from the moment I started at 10pm.
Review of advance copy
********** Contains Spoilers**********
I thought that it was another good addition to the Hockey Rules Series. I really liked that Mateo tried to tell Florian the truth that they aren’t actually boyfriends but then his heart monitor went crazy so he stopped and decided to tell him when he’s home but then everything kind of snow balled from there when Florian not only came out to the paparazzi that he’s gay but that Mateo is his boyfriend and he’s going to be taking care of him while he recovers. I also liked that Mateo set some boundaries about keeping things pretty platonic between them while Florian had amnesia, as he knew that when his memories returned that he’d probably be pretty angry about the whole situation considering Florian seemed to avoid Mateo after their first meeting.
Mateo honestly thought that Florian was homophobic but it couldn’t be further from the truth as Florian was attracted to Mateo from the start and just didn’t know how to deal with things rationally. I really enjoyed this book and thought that Florian and Mateo were adorable together and I liked how their relationship progressed. I’m looking forward to reading more from this series as it continues, as well as more books by Portia Blake in the future. I’d recommend this book, series and author to others.
******I received a complimentary copy of this book through GRR. I would still happily review this book even if I purchased it myself. My thoughts and feelings about this book are completely unbiased******
I thought that it was another good addition to the Hockey Rules Series. I really liked that Mateo tried to tell Florian the truth that they aren’t actually boyfriends but then his heart monitor went crazy so he stopped and decided to tell him when he’s home but then everything kind of snow balled from there when Florian not only came out to the paparazzi that he’s gay but that Mateo is his boyfriend and he’s going to be taking care of him while he recovers. I also liked that Mateo set some boundaries about keeping things pretty platonic between them while Florian had amnesia, as he knew that when his memories returned that he’d probably be pretty angry about the whole situation considering Florian seemed to avoid Mateo after their first meeting.
Mateo honestly thought that Florian was homophobic but it couldn’t be further from the truth as Florian was attracted to Mateo from the start and just didn’t know how to deal with things rationally. I really enjoyed this book and thought that Florian and Mateo were adorable together and I liked how their relationship progressed. I’m looking forward to reading more from this series as it continues, as well as more books by Portia Blake in the future. I’d recommend this book, series and author to others.
******I received a complimentary copy of this book through GRR. I would still happily review this book even if I purchased it myself. My thoughts and feelings about this book are completely unbiased******
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2026
This is book six in the Hockey Rules series. Each book is a standalone read but have multiple recurring characters in all of the books. This is the story of and Florian Richter and Mateo. Florian is a defenseman for the The Blizzards hockey team. He is a German hockey player that is fairly new to the team and recognized as straight. During a hockey game, Florian is knocked unconscious and wakes up with amnesia. He doesn't remember the previous two months when he joined the team. Mateo is the team's massage therapist. An openly gay and proud of it therapist. Since the team is traveling, he sits by Florian's bedside waiting for him to wake up. When Florian finally wakes up with Mateo sitting beside him, he assumes that he has finally announced being gay to the team and that Mateo is his boyfriend. To keep Florian calm and healthy, Mateo goes alone with that idea, as trying to straighten out the situation just make things worse Florian's health. So they end up fake dating and Florian telling anyone who will listen that Mateo is his boyfriend. This is their story. The two of them are a really sweet couple. I empathized with Mateo as he was waiting for the day that Florian's memories finally come back and he realizes that he is in a fake relationship with Mateo. Even as they slowly come to know and understand each other. The book is written well and is easy to read. I really enjoyed it. I look forward to more books by this author.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
When Florian is knocked out during his hockey game, Mateo finds himself at this bedside. Florian hasn’t woken up and with family traveling to meet him and the team going on the road, Coach as Mateo to be there. Little does he know that Florian has been avoiding Mateo. Mateo is a massage therapist for the team and for some reason, he can’t figure out what he did to Florian that makes him avoid Mateo. So is he the best to be at his bedside? He doesn’t think so. But he won’t leave him either. But things turn complicated when Florian wakes up with no memory of the last several weeks and assumes that Mateo is his boyfriend. Mateo tries to correct him but between the doctors coming in and out and then the heart monitor going off, Mateo realizes he may do more harm than good. It’s fine though, he can take Florian for a bit and then he’ll tell him. But then Florian just keeps telling everyone they are together, and then his family arrives, and reporters are there. And Mateo realizes he is in deep trouble. Then when Florian remembers? Well, doesn’t look like either are off the hook. Oh man, poor Mateo in this book LOL. He tries so hard to tell Florian but Florian is just so happy to realize that he must have come out and stopped hiding and he is happy. This hockey team has the most adventurous and humorous ways to fall in love! You will be entertained for sure!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy
I couldn't put this book down. I love this author's writing style. Her characters are deep and multi-faceted. As soon as I started the book I was drawn into the story. The plot is interesting and funny.
Florian is a very closeted German hockey player who is playing for the Boston Blizzards team for 2 months when he has a terrible accident during a hockey game. He is unconscious for a couple of days, and when he wakes up he has memory loss. He sees Mateo, the team's massage therapist, at his bedside and comes to the conclusion that they are boyfriends. He's got no idea that the one time Mateo tried to give him a massage, he jumped off the table mid-massage and has been avoiding him ever since.
Amnesiac Florian is sweet, romantic and a gentleman. Mateo tries hard not to make too many new memories with Florian out of respect for him and knowing one day soon Florian will most likely get his memories back.
But how can Mateo resist this gorgeous specimen of his ideal boyfriend even while he fears what Flavian's reaction will be when he remembers everything. I loved that although Florian may not say much, Mateo understands how he is feeling. What Florian does say is so over the top romantic, and he doesn't shy away from saying sweet things in public.
When his memory returns, there are some misunderstandings and assumptions made, but eventually this sweet couple finds their way to each other.
Florian is a very closeted German hockey player who is playing for the Boston Blizzards team for 2 months when he has a terrible accident during a hockey game. He is unconscious for a couple of days, and when he wakes up he has memory loss. He sees Mateo, the team's massage therapist, at his bedside and comes to the conclusion that they are boyfriends. He's got no idea that the one time Mateo tried to give him a massage, he jumped off the table mid-massage and has been avoiding him ever since.
Amnesiac Florian is sweet, romantic and a gentleman. Mateo tries hard not to make too many new memories with Florian out of respect for him and knowing one day soon Florian will most likely get his memories back.
But how can Mateo resist this gorgeous specimen of his ideal boyfriend even while he fears what Flavian's reaction will be when he remembers everything. I loved that although Florian may not say much, Mateo understands how he is feeling. What Florian does say is so over the top romantic, and he doesn't shy away from saying sweet things in public.
When his memory returns, there are some misunderstandings and assumptions made, but eventually this sweet couple finds their way to each other.
Review of advance copy
Florian gets a terrible concussion on the ice, waking up the next day to find the team massage therapist by his bedside, since the team has to travel to an away game. Florian sees Mateo, with his pretty make up, and makes the mistake of thinking that he must have come out, to have his boyfriend waiting at his bedside.
What ensues is two men partaking in a relationship that they never had, but one thinks they had.
It's funny, very sweet, and a little sad. Florian is a beautiful character, who is so very straight forward and open. He loves fully and feels set free when he thinks he has already done what he set out to do by moving to an American hockey team.
The bit that I didn't like was the level of lying. Even if we pretend that it was better for Mateo to pretend to be his boyfriend than to upset him after a serious concussion, Florian had only been part of the team for six weeks. They could have been boyfriends for two weeks, instead of being immediately in love, or expecting that they'd been intimate of lying to his family. If he's said that they were new boyfriends but Florian had needed someone to take care of him and Mateo took on that role as his 'new boyfriend', I feel the underlying deceit and unsteadyness of the reader waiting for him to be caught out could have been avoided.
I don't like that Florian's family met Mateo under lying circumstances or that Mateo lied about kissing or sex when Florian was a virgin. Though no lines were crossed, which is how I continued to read on, I would have felt much more comfortable as a reader, to have seen their love blossom and be tested by two new boyfriends having to live together, over their relationship being formed on such large unnecessary lies.
Overall, the couple were sweet and Mateo not taking advantage while Florian waited to regain his memory allowed me to enjoy Florian's soft, uninhibited style of loving without too much anxiety over regret.
What ensues is two men partaking in a relationship that they never had, but one thinks they had.
It's funny, very sweet, and a little sad. Florian is a beautiful character, who is so very straight forward and open. He loves fully and feels set free when he thinks he has already done what he set out to do by moving to an American hockey team.
The bit that I didn't like was the level of lying. Even if we pretend that it was better for Mateo to pretend to be his boyfriend than to upset him after a serious concussion, Florian had only been part of the team for six weeks. They could have been boyfriends for two weeks, instead of being immediately in love, or expecting that they'd been intimate of lying to his family. If he's said that they were new boyfriends but Florian had needed someone to take care of him and Mateo took on that role as his 'new boyfriend', I feel the underlying deceit and unsteadyness of the reader waiting for him to be caught out could have been avoided.
I don't like that Florian's family met Mateo under lying circumstances or that Mateo lied about kissing or sex when Florian was a virgin. Though no lines were crossed, which is how I continued to read on, I would have felt much more comfortable as a reader, to have seen their love blossom and be tested by two new boyfriends having to live together, over their relationship being formed on such large unnecessary lies.
Overall, the couple were sweet and Mateo not taking advantage while Florian waited to regain his memory allowed me to enjoy Florian's soft, uninhibited style of loving without too much anxiety over regret.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A Fake Relationship, Amnesia Chaos, and Unexpected Softness That Sneaks Up on You
This book had me grinning way more than I expected going in—and then quietly punching me in the feelings when I wasn’t looking.
Mateo and Florian are such a fun, messy setup right from the start. Mateo, just trying to do a favor, ends up accidentally fake-dating a man who not only thinks they’re together… but announces it to the world. And Florian? Pre-amnesia vs post-amnesia Florian are basically two completely different people—and that contrast carries the entire emotional weight of the story.
What really worked for me was how soft and affectionate Florian becomes. The way he looks at Mateo, the way he chooses him without hesitation—it hits. Hard. And Mateo trying to navigate the situation knowing it could all disappear the second Florian’s memory comes back? That tension stays quietly simmering under all the humor.
I also loved the aromantic representation woven into the story. It felt natural and added another layer to Mateo’s character and how he processes everything happening around him.
This was such an enjoyable read. It’s light, chaotic, sweet, and just angsty enough to keep you hooked. If you like fake dating, forced proximity, and that “oh no… this is becoming real” panic, this one delivers.
This book had me grinning way more than I expected going in—and then quietly punching me in the feelings when I wasn’t looking.
Mateo and Florian are such a fun, messy setup right from the start. Mateo, just trying to do a favor, ends up accidentally fake-dating a man who not only thinks they’re together… but announces it to the world. And Florian? Pre-amnesia vs post-amnesia Florian are basically two completely different people—and that contrast carries the entire emotional weight of the story.
What really worked for me was how soft and affectionate Florian becomes. The way he looks at Mateo, the way he chooses him without hesitation—it hits. Hard. And Mateo trying to navigate the situation knowing it could all disappear the second Florian’s memory comes back? That tension stays quietly simmering under all the humor.
I also loved the aromantic representation woven into the story. It felt natural and added another layer to Mateo’s character and how he processes everything happening around him.
This was such an enjoyable read. It’s light, chaotic, sweet, and just angsty enough to keep you hooked. If you like fake dating, forced proximity, and that “oh no… this is becoming real” panic, this one delivers.
Review of advance copy
A MM Hockey amnesiac romance. Mateo, massage therapist for the Boston Blizzards, cannot understand why the new German defenseman hates him. Florian ran from their first session and avoids him, even hiding in a janitor's closet. As a closeted, gay virgin, Florian finds the team welcoming but struggles with loneliness, with Mateo making him uncomfortable. After waking in a hospital with limited memory, Florian believes he is now openly accepted as a gay hockey player and is dating Mateo. Mateo both hopes and fears Florian will regain his memory, ending the best “fake” relationship he’s ever had. Will Florian’s memory return—or will another twist end their relationship?
A good standalone story, unless you want more insight into other team players, but not necessary. I enjoyed the amnesia element and seeing Florian more at ease, though both his and Mateo's insecurity sometimes felt excessive. Because of this, their connection leaned more sweet than passionate, constantly guessing what the other wanted or needed. I also wanted more on the family’s and Mateo’s sister’s reactions at the end. Overall, an okay but not standout read in the genre. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A good standalone story, unless you want more insight into other team players, but not necessary. I enjoyed the amnesia element and seeing Florian more at ease, though both his and Mateo's insecurity sometimes felt excessive. Because of this, their connection leaned more sweet than passionate, constantly guessing what the other wanted or needed. I also wanted more on the family’s and Mateo’s sister’s reactions at the end. Overall, an okay but not standout read in the genre. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 14, 2026
This is such a fun take on the amnesia trope, mixing humour, tension and just the right amount of emotional payoff. The setup is a bit chaotic in the best way, and once it gets going it’s easy to get pulled into the situation Mateo finds himself in.
What really works is how the amnesia strips everything back between them. Florian, who was distant and avoidant before, suddenly becomes open and affectionate, and it highlights just how much was being held back. Mateo’s confusion and cautious hope, feels very real as he tries to navigate this completely different version of the man he thought he knew.
Their relationship develops quickly in this new dynamic, but it doesn’t feel rushed because the feelings underneath are already there. When Florian expresses how he feels, it adds a layer of sincerity that makes their connection believable, even with the slightly over-the-top premise.
The tension of knowing his memory will come back hangs over everything, but it’s handled in a way that doesn’t drag things out unnecessarily. Overall, it’s a sweet, slightly angsty romance with a clever twist that lets the characters finally be honest with each other.
I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review
What really works is how the amnesia strips everything back between them. Florian, who was distant and avoidant before, suddenly becomes open and affectionate, and it highlights just how much was being held back. Mateo’s confusion and cautious hope, feels very real as he tries to navigate this completely different version of the man he thought he knew.
Their relationship develops quickly in this new dynamic, but it doesn’t feel rushed because the feelings underneath are already there. When Florian expresses how he feels, it adds a layer of sincerity that makes their connection believable, even with the slightly over-the-top premise.
The tension of knowing his memory will come back hangs over everything, but it’s handled in a way that doesn’t drag things out unnecessarily. Overall, it’s a sweet, slightly angsty romance with a clever twist that lets the characters finally be honest with each other.
I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review
April 15, 2026
This is book six in the author’s Hockey Rules series and it’s an absolute riot!! I was laughing so hard my husband kept looking at me and just shaking his head. It wasn’t ONLY funny though; right on the heels of laughing my head off, I’d suddenly be confronted with Florian’s naïveté or his loneliness and my heart would hurt for him but in the next breath almost, I’d be laughing again. Ms. Blake’s writing is amazing like that, it kept me riveted the whole time, with no clue what was gonna happen or come out of one of their mouths next, I didn’t have TIME to get distracted!
I don’t have the words to describe how good this book was and how much I loved it without going into way too much detail so I’m just gonna say this, if you simply need a laugh or need something to take you out of your thoughts for a little while, you NEED to read this book!!! I could honestly read this book over and over and never get enough of it… it’s hilariously funny and so heart meltingly sweet that if I could, I’d give it 100 stars! Please check it out, give it a chance and I promise, you’ll be laughing out loud in no time!
I received a copy of this book for free but am voluntarily leaving a review.
I don’t have the words to describe how good this book was and how much I loved it without going into way too much detail so I’m just gonna say this, if you simply need a laugh or need something to take you out of your thoughts for a little while, you NEED to read this book!!! I could honestly read this book over and over and never get enough of it… it’s hilariously funny and so heart meltingly sweet that if I could, I’d give it 100 stars! Please check it out, give it a chance and I promise, you’ll be laughing out loud in no time!
I received a copy of this book for free but am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy
I love hockey romance, and I love a good amnesia story, so I was prepared to love this book—and I'm more than willing to suspend disbelief in the right circumstances—but this story just didn't hold up for me.
Based on the way the characters speak, I suspect English may not be the author's first language. And if that's the case, she certainly writes better in English than I could in any other language. However, while the somewhat formal/stilted way of speaking/thinking makes sense for Florian (newly arrived in the US from Germany), I'm not sure it does for Mateo (who moved from Puerto Rico to New England in his youth). More than that, though, none of the hockey details made sense to me. I'm not that knowledgeable about hockey myself, but I know players get traded, not transferred. And that's just the tip of the stick, as it were.
I'm giving this three stars because I didn't have to force myself to finish it, but I can't say I'll be reading other titles by this author.
My thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for an advance copy of this book.
Based on the way the characters speak, I suspect English may not be the author's first language. And if that's the case, she certainly writes better in English than I could in any other language. However, while the somewhat formal/stilted way of speaking/thinking makes sense for Florian (newly arrived in the US from Germany), I'm not sure it does for Mateo (who moved from Puerto Rico to New England in his youth). More than that, though, none of the hockey details made sense to me. I'm not that knowledgeable about hockey myself, but I know players get traded, not transferred. And that's just the tip of the stick, as it were.
I'm giving this three stars because I didn't have to force myself to finish it, but I can't say I'll be reading other titles by this author.
My thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for an advance copy of this book.
Review of advance copy
"This was another excellent addition to the Hockey Rules series. I really enjoyed the chaos that unfolded when Mateo tried to tell Florian they weren’t actually boyfriends, only to backtrack when Florian’s heart monitor spiked. From there, things spiralled quickly—especially when Florian came out publicly and announced Mateo as his boyfriend and caregiver during recovery.
I appreciated how Mateo handled the situation, setting clear boundaries while Florian had amnesia. He understood that once Florian’s memories returned, the truth might not go over well, which added a layer of tension and realism. Mateo initially believed Florian was homophobic, but it was refreshing to see that Florian’s behaviour stemmed from confusion rather than prejudice.
It was refreshing to see a story that involves a trade and how both Florian and Matteo dealt with that stress.
Their relationship was genuinely sweet, and I loved watching it develop despite the unusual circumstances. The mix of humour, emotion, and slow-burn connection made this an engaging read. "
I appreciated how Mateo handled the situation, setting clear boundaries while Florian had amnesia. He understood that once Florian’s memories returned, the truth might not go over well, which added a layer of tension and realism. Mateo initially believed Florian was homophobic, but it was refreshing to see that Florian’s behaviour stemmed from confusion rather than prejudice.
It was refreshing to see a story that involves a trade and how both Florian and Matteo dealt with that stress.
Their relationship was genuinely sweet, and I loved watching it develop despite the unusual circumstances. The mix of humour, emotion, and slow-burn connection made this an engaging read. "
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
I received a copy of this book for my honest review.
This is a low angst, sweet, fluff story that can be read as a standalone in a series.
Mateo is the teams massage therapist and Florian is the new defenseman transfer from Germany. Mateo is out and has been his whole life, Florian is not, he’s a virgin, and no one in the world knows he is gay.
After a flustering first encounter, Florian does his best to avoid Mateo because how he responds to the pretty man. The. He gets a head injury and loses his memory from the past 2 months, basically his entire time in Boston and with his new team. He also assumes Mateo is his boyfriend and Mateo rolls with it to keep the injured man comfortable.
The amnesia trope isn’t bad in this story mostly because it doesn’t persist for the duration of the book. It does lead into a fake dating scenario, and that leads into actual feelings.
This isn’t a deep book, and that’s ok. It’s a nice palate cleanser, an easy read that has you grinning throughout and leaves you happy.
This is a low angst, sweet, fluff story that can be read as a standalone in a series.
Mateo is the teams massage therapist and Florian is the new defenseman transfer from Germany. Mateo is out and has been his whole life, Florian is not, he’s a virgin, and no one in the world knows he is gay.
After a flustering first encounter, Florian does his best to avoid Mateo because how he responds to the pretty man. The. He gets a head injury and loses his memory from the past 2 months, basically his entire time in Boston and with his new team. He also assumes Mateo is his boyfriend and Mateo rolls with it to keep the injured man comfortable.
The amnesia trope isn’t bad in this story mostly because it doesn’t persist for the duration of the book. It does lead into a fake dating scenario, and that leads into actual feelings.
This isn’t a deep book, and that’s ok. It’s a nice palate cleanser, an easy read that has you grinning throughout and leaves you happy.
April 10, 2026
The book was nice, but nothing special. I had different expectations based on the blurb — I thought it would be funnier, maybe more fast-paced. I didn’t really connect with the main characters. Florian is a German hockey player, naive and a bit dense. Mateo is the team’s massage therapist, who mostly came across as very insecure.
I couldn’t really feel the connection between them from the plot; it mostly felt awkward, with a lot of insecurity and so many apologies throughout the book that it became tiring.
During the sex scenes, all kinds of unrelated thoughts were included, which took the focus away from the scene.
There were also a few things that didn’t match the plot, like Mateo knowing Florian was a virgin even though they had never talked about it, or Florian declaring his love for someone he didn’t even remember.
The idea behind the book was good, but the execution was less successful in my opinion.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I couldn’t really feel the connection between them from the plot; it mostly felt awkward, with a lot of insecurity and so many apologies throughout the book that it became tiring.
During the sex scenes, all kinds of unrelated thoughts were included, which took the focus away from the scene.
There were also a few things that didn’t match the plot, like Mateo knowing Florian was a virgin even though they had never talked about it, or Florian declaring his love for someone he didn’t even remember.
The idea behind the book was good, but the execution was less successful in my opinion.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 15, 2026
When the team sends Mateo to check on Florian when Florian lands in the hospital after a hit there was no way that Mateo thought Florian would believe that Mateo being there was personal. That is not the nature of their relationship usually but amnesia will bring out things that are hidden when people are in full possession of their filters. Florian's mistake leads to Mateo taking him home to take care of him and keeping up the fake dating story until Florian recovers and by then the dating was not so fake. Neither of them is ready to let go completely because things have changed but what was great was that there was no instant moving into more. They take some time. Yes this is a fun story about the move from Florian not wanting to be in the same room with Mateo to them seeing one another in a new light. But it was also the evolution of a relationship that was given time to be more than it was used to being. Nicely done.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 15, 2026
✨I received an advance copy of this book at no charge. This is my honest, voluntary review.✨
I can’t believe I’ve never heard of this series until now! It seems I have a lot of catching up to do.
Florian and Mateo were fantastic. I love that more and more authors are writing Latino characters and I feel so happy about that. Representation really matters and it makes us feel seen.
I’m a sucker for memory loss/fake dating tropes and this one was a great one. Mateo taking care of Florian even though he thought Florian didn’t like him, was the sweetest thing.
He risked his own job by “dating” Florian considering he was a team employee. But he just couldn’t hurt Florian’s feelings, especially with everything he was currently going through.
The fact that Florian unconsciously thought he loved Mateo, was more than a sign they were meant to be. Losing his memory gave Florian the courage he never had to date a man.
I really loved them together. Loved that Florian was determined to show Mateo his worth. He was determined to help him see that they belonged together.
Looking forward to the next book. Definitely enjoyed reading this one.
I can’t believe I’ve never heard of this series until now! It seems I have a lot of catching up to do.
Florian and Mateo were fantastic. I love that more and more authors are writing Latino characters and I feel so happy about that. Representation really matters and it makes us feel seen.
I’m a sucker for memory loss/fake dating tropes and this one was a great one. Mateo taking care of Florian even though he thought Florian didn’t like him, was the sweetest thing.
He risked his own job by “dating” Florian considering he was a team employee. But he just couldn’t hurt Florian’s feelings, especially with everything he was currently going through.
The fact that Florian unconsciously thought he loved Mateo, was more than a sign they were meant to be. Losing his memory gave Florian the courage he never had to date a man.
I really loved them together. Loved that Florian was determined to show Mateo his worth. He was determined to help him see that they belonged together.
Looking forward to the next book. Definitely enjoyed reading this one.
April 14, 2026
Really cute
My review
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘
So cute! This was adorable, well, no, Florian is adorable! He’s just such a sweetheart! And I melted when he talked about Mateo and how much he loves him. I thought it was a great premise: fake boyfriends because one forgot everything, even the fact that he hid in a janitor’s closet! Super cute, and I enjoyed very much how Florian boosted Mateo’s self esteem. I’m not sure if Gina contributed to him feeling so small and bad about himself, or if it was simply what he assumed she was thinking, but Florian coming to the rescue and showing him his true value is fantastic. And his family is priceless, specially Annika. She’s really smart, and super nice, and with her wanting what’s best for her brother, and how she pushes him when needed, and supports him through it all! It was super cute. I haven’t read any of the other ones, it I might after reading this, because it is that cute.
(Read it via KU)
My review
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘
So cute! This was adorable, well, no, Florian is adorable! He’s just such a sweetheart! And I melted when he talked about Mateo and how much he loves him. I thought it was a great premise: fake boyfriends because one forgot everything, even the fact that he hid in a janitor’s closet! Super cute, and I enjoyed very much how Florian boosted Mateo’s self esteem. I’m not sure if Gina contributed to him feeling so small and bad about himself, or if it was simply what he assumed she was thinking, but Florian coming to the rescue and showing him his true value is fantastic. And his family is priceless, specially Annika. She’s really smart, and super nice, and with her wanting what’s best for her brother, and how she pushes him when needed, and supports him through it all! It was super cute. I haven’t read any of the other ones, it I might after reading this, because it is that cute.
(Read it via KU)
April 17, 2026
A GREAT PRETEND BOYFRIENDS STORY!💕
HOW TO MANIFEST A BOYFRIEND:📘🫂
Sit next to his hospital bed when he wakes up amnesiac
Pretend to be his boyfriend to keep him from getting hurt…
Unknowingly amnesiac pretend boyfriend outs himself…
Lie to his parents and sister…
Stress that his memory will return…
Fall in love with said pretend boyfriend as he is exactly what you manifested…
That’s what happened to Sports Massage therapist for The Blizzards in Boston- Mateo who meets the love of his life on his massage table- German transfer Defenseman Florian Richter who is hiding in the closet literally and figuratively…
I loved their journey in becoming friends and then lovers when the pretend starting to feel too real and how they navigated hurdles in their way to reach their HEA!
Other players are mentioned from previous books but can be read as a stand-alone.
I voluntarily received an ARC from GRR and the author got an honest non biased review.
HOW TO MANIFEST A BOYFRIEND:📘🫂
Sit next to his hospital bed when he wakes up amnesiac
Pretend to be his boyfriend to keep him from getting hurt…
Unknowingly amnesiac pretend boyfriend outs himself…
Lie to his parents and sister…
Stress that his memory will return…
Fall in love with said pretend boyfriend as he is exactly what you manifested…
That’s what happened to Sports Massage therapist for The Blizzards in Boston- Mateo who meets the love of his life on his massage table- German transfer Defenseman Florian Richter who is hiding in the closet literally and figuratively…
I loved their journey in becoming friends and then lovers when the pretend starting to feel too real and how they navigated hurdles in their way to reach their HEA!
Other players are mentioned from previous books but can be read as a stand-alone.
I voluntarily received an ARC from GRR and the author got an honest non biased review.
April 11, 2026
Mateo and Florian have a messy, engaging dynamic right from the beginning, but the real highlight is the contrast between Florian before and after the amnesia. Post-amnesia Florian is incredibly warm and affectionate, and the way he so easily chooses Mateo adds a lot of emotional depth. At the same time, there’s a constant underlying tension because Mateo knows it could all disappear once Florian’s memories return. I also really appreciated the aromantic representation—it felt natural and added another layer to Mateo’s character. Overall, this is a light, sweet, and slightly angsty read with a lot of heart. If you enjoy fake dating, forced proximity, and emotional slow-burn moments, it’s definitely worth picking up.
This book was such a pleasant surprise. What starts as a chaotic fake-dating situation quickly turns into something much softer and more emotional than expected.
This book was such a pleasant surprise. What starts as a chaotic fake-dating situation quickly turns into something much softer and more emotional than expected.
April 17, 2026
I really wanted to like this story. The writing itself is strong but I just never connected to the story. The whole book felt awkward and uncomfortable, which I suppose was very much the intention, so in that case...nailed it. But the constant tension and secondhand embarrassment through the entire book was just too much for me.
My biggest issue, though, was the choice to take away Florian's agency in terms of how he came out. There were so many ways that could have been handled that didn't involve him outing himself while struggling with amnesia. It just made it hard for me to get into the story.
Overall, the book is well written and the concept is a good one. I just couldn't fully enjoy it, and that's on me - not the author. It's not a bad read; it just wasn't the right fit for me.
[I received an advanced copy of this book. All reviews and ratings are my own.]
My biggest issue, though, was the choice to take away Florian's agency in terms of how he came out. There were so many ways that could have been handled that didn't involve him outing himself while struggling with amnesia. It just made it hard for me to get into the story.
Overall, the book is well written and the concept is a good one. I just couldn't fully enjoy it, and that's on me - not the author. It's not a bad read; it just wasn't the right fit for me.
[I received an advanced copy of this book. All reviews and ratings are my own.]
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a sweet and charming read. It was perfect for me at the moment, I'm all over low stress and cute. The story's quite funny at times, and so upbeat, it made for a nice easy read.
The MCs, Mateo and Florian, are absolutely precious together. They're perfectly matched, and their chemistry carries the story through its low angst plot. I was looking for something happy and heart warming, I didn't want any heavy drama, and this fitted the bill perfectly.
My only minor niggle is that the story felt a little drawn out in places, it likely could've been a bit shorter without losing any of its charm. However, I'm not going to complain too much. I wanted cosy, and feel good and got that in spades. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
The MCs, Mateo and Florian, are absolutely precious together. They're perfectly matched, and their chemistry carries the story through its low angst plot. I was looking for something happy and heart warming, I didn't want any heavy drama, and this fitted the bill perfectly.
My only minor niggle is that the story felt a little drawn out in places, it likely could've been a bit shorter without losing any of its charm. However, I'm not going to complain too much. I wanted cosy, and feel good and got that in spades. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
April 8, 2026
I have read every single book in Portia's Hockey Rules series and loved each one. This one is the same this book tells the story of Florian and Matteo. Florian is a defenseman for the hockey team The Blizzards where he is knocked out during a game when he wakes up in the hospital with amnesia. However he is not alone when he wakes up the team's massage therapist Matteo is there. This spirals into Florian and Matteo fake dating to falling in love and that well won HEA Yet the road to get their HEA isn't easy with both questioning whether or not this "relationship" is real. If you want to find out what happens grab a copy of Portia's book "Rule 6: Never Announce You're Dating the Massage Therapist", and see what happens.
April 15, 2026
Florian took a hit on the ice and that resulted in amnesia. He doens't remember his time in the USA and thus he doesn't remember his team's massage therapist. Florian is scared to come out before his accident, but because of the amnesia he does remember he was scared, but he thinks he already came out to his team and his coach because he thinks Mateo is his boyfriend. In my opinion the book should have contained something where Florian had to accept he accidentally came out. I mean I'm not a pro at coming out, but I can't imagine that's nice. I mean he did think it was freeing, but it wasn't a conscious choice.
I liked the rest of the book and I would definitely recommend it!
P.S. I received an ARC, but this is my honest opinion. Thank you to GRR for the ARC.
I liked the rest of the book and I would definitely recommend it!
P.S. I received an ARC, but this is my honest opinion. Thank you to GRR for the ARC.
Review of advance copy
I read and enjoyed the first in this series, then it dropped off my radar, which means I now have a treat to catch up on! In this one Florian, a super sweet closeted German hockey player, develops amnesia after an accident on the ice. When he wakes up, he assumes the massage therapist he had a massive crush on is his boyfriend, and completely outs himself. I loved Florian, who is just so happy to have Mateo as his boyfriend and be living his out and proud life. The first section where they are happily in their fake relationship is great, as is the final section where they become more open about their feelings. Looking forward to catching up on the rest of the series now.
I received an ARC.
I received an ARC.
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