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No Defense: A MM Hockey Romance
No Defense is the second book in the Top Tier hockey romance series.
- GenresM M RomanceHockey
194 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 22, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
April 25, 2026
This was an almost poetic read. Between Fleetwood Mac and other 70s music, bar nights and hockey games, two neighbors get awkwardly involved in a relationship that slowly grounds them. This is a quiet story, strange even. The writing style is lonely and has a very melancholy vibe.
Grief, guilt and mental health.
Slow moving
For the longest time I couldn't get a read on Pratt. This is probably my only problem with the story. Pratt felt wooden. I suppose his goalie weirdness had to be applied accordingly. The romance stood back to let the grief (loss of a friend to suicide in the past) and healing to take precedence.
Grief, guilt and mental health.
Slow moving
For the longest time I couldn't get a read on Pratt. This is probably my only problem with the story. Pratt felt wooden. I suppose his goalie weirdness had to be applied accordingly. The romance stood back to let the grief (loss of a friend to suicide in the past) and healing to take precedence.
May 23, 2026
'No Defence: A MM Hockey Romance (Top Tier Book 2) written by Declan Rhodes (Kindle)
What an interesting book! Quirky, obsessive Pratt, a professional hockey player, has his routines all planned out. What he didn't count on was his new next door neighbor Sully, a bartender, barging into his apartment, chaos personified, chattering on and on about being locked out of his apartment and that the guy who had previously lived in Pratt's apartment had kept Sully's spare key for him. Apparently Sully locked himself out a lot!
A mixture of fun and funny things happening in their lives, both together as their attraction grew, and separately in each of their jobs.
However there was also some serious shit going down revolving around Sully's boyhood friend who had commited suicide three years previously. I think a lot of people in a similar situation of being a survivor after a friend or family member or lover makes that decision to end their lives, are wondering if there was something they themselves could have known or done to alleviate their friends anguish and suffering and help them re-think that fateful decision. It's good that Rhodes breached this subject because it might give a good heads-up to family & friends to watch out for their loved ones to see if anything is changing with them...
I really liked the unconventional dynamics between our two MCs and how they worked out their coded and insightful communications.
Because I enjoy hockey games, I was pleased at the amount of play-by-play action in the storyline!
I am curious and so looking forward to read the next books in this series!
Two thumbs up! 👍👍
What an interesting book! Quirky, obsessive Pratt, a professional hockey player, has his routines all planned out. What he didn't count on was his new next door neighbor Sully, a bartender, barging into his apartment, chaos personified, chattering on and on about being locked out of his apartment and that the guy who had previously lived in Pratt's apartment had kept Sully's spare key for him. Apparently Sully locked himself out a lot!
A mixture of fun and funny things happening in their lives, both together as their attraction grew, and separately in each of their jobs.
However there was also some serious shit going down revolving around Sully's boyhood friend who had commited suicide three years previously. I think a lot of people in a similar situation of being a survivor after a friend or family member or lover makes that decision to end their lives, are wondering if there was something they themselves could have known or done to alleviate their friends anguish and suffering and help them re-think that fateful decision. It's good that Rhodes breached this subject because it might give a good heads-up to family & friends to watch out for their loved ones to see if anything is changing with them...
I really liked the unconventional dynamics between our two MCs and how they worked out their coded and insightful communications.
Because I enjoy hockey games, I was pleased at the amount of play-by-play action in the storyline!
I am curious and so looking forward to read the next books in this series!
Two thumbs up! 👍👍
April 30, 2026
This is the second book in this series, and this book changed the opinion I had from Pratt, the hockey goalie we met in the previous book.
This book is more slow burn than expected.
Sully is a bartender running from past grief and guilty, Pratt is controlled to extreme and a great opposite of Sully.
With a backdrop of music and hockey these two men have the opportunity to meet in the middle and find love.
This book is more slow burn than expected.
Sully is a bartender running from past grief and guilty, Pratt is controlled to extreme and a great opposite of Sully.
With a backdrop of music and hockey these two men have the opportunity to meet in the middle and find love.
May 23, 2026
4.25 stars
May 5, 2026
Patterns and practices are important to this hockey player, who finds a soulmate right next door
This second installment in a series by the highly talented Declan Rhodes concerning MM Hockey relationships portrays an emotionally scarred bartender who finds solace and eventually love with a skilled hockey player who relocates next door.
Brock Pratt is that new neighbor—quiet, routine-oriented in his daily habits, on the ice, and in his interactions with others. He has a song he plays daily before heading to the rink, eats the same meal, and adheres to rituals before a home game.
Sully O'Reilly has his own rituals, yet he remains primarily an "unplanned variable" who enters Pratt's life simply by walking into his apartment and leaving a key, claiming he had an agreement with the previous tenant to provide him with a key should he become locked out. He is also emotionally scarred due to the loss of his closest friend and continues to grapple with that tragic event.
There are similarities between the two. Sully with music—an activity the bartender engages in typically after returning home in the early hours following a long shift—and Pratt through careful and controlled listening, while Sully persistently discusses people at the bar, social interactions, and ultimately, his emotional wounds.
Their relationship benefits both individuals, not only through mutual attraction but also through Sully's extroverted nature and his understanding of Pratt’s daily rituals and practices, especially on game days. Pratt is disciplined and celebrated for his expert reading of the shots taken at the net that he protects as the team's goalie, and Sully for the need for interaction, which takes him away from the music he loves to hear.
This narrative unfolds slowly, allowing each man to recognize the qualities the other contributes to their relationship. For example, when a box of records arrives from Pratt’s best friend's mother, who is cleaning out her son's closet, the emotional strain is significant, yet it is shared between them, deepening their mutual understanding.
I regard Declan Rhodes as a master of his craft. His detailed portrayal of hockey games surpasses many sports journalists, and his depiction of relationship development is genuinely joyful to observe. He treats Sully’s emotional wounds with tenderness, which he also extends to Pratt, who bears the burden of a past relationship. Mr. Rhodes adeptly avoids run-on sentences and scenes, instead crafting declarative sentences that carry far greater weight than mere literal descriptions.
This second installment in a series by the highly talented Declan Rhodes concerning MM Hockey relationships portrays an emotionally scarred bartender who finds solace and eventually love with a skilled hockey player who relocates next door.
Brock Pratt is that new neighbor—quiet, routine-oriented in his daily habits, on the ice, and in his interactions with others. He has a song he plays daily before heading to the rink, eats the same meal, and adheres to rituals before a home game.
Sully O'Reilly has his own rituals, yet he remains primarily an "unplanned variable" who enters Pratt's life simply by walking into his apartment and leaving a key, claiming he had an agreement with the previous tenant to provide him with a key should he become locked out. He is also emotionally scarred due to the loss of his closest friend and continues to grapple with that tragic event.
There are similarities between the two. Sully with music—an activity the bartender engages in typically after returning home in the early hours following a long shift—and Pratt through careful and controlled listening, while Sully persistently discusses people at the bar, social interactions, and ultimately, his emotional wounds.
Their relationship benefits both individuals, not only through mutual attraction but also through Sully's extroverted nature and his understanding of Pratt’s daily rituals and practices, especially on game days. Pratt is disciplined and celebrated for his expert reading of the shots taken at the net that he protects as the team's goalie, and Sully for the need for interaction, which takes him away from the music he loves to hear.
This narrative unfolds slowly, allowing each man to recognize the qualities the other contributes to their relationship. For example, when a box of records arrives from Pratt’s best friend's mother, who is cleaning out her son's closet, the emotional strain is significant, yet it is shared between them, deepening their mutual understanding.
I regard Declan Rhodes as a master of his craft. His detailed portrayal of hockey games surpasses many sports journalists, and his depiction of relationship development is genuinely joyful to observe. He treats Sully’s emotional wounds with tenderness, which he also extends to Pratt, who bears the burden of a past relationship. Mr. Rhodes adeptly avoids run-on sentences and scenes, instead crafting declarative sentences that carry far greater weight than mere literal descriptions.
May 5, 2026
This was a very quiet story, I don't know how else to explain it.
They fell in love in the quiet moments between, hockey games, bar nights, apartment dates, and knocks on the door and wall.
Pratt is one of the goalies for the Chicago Iron hawks, Sully (Sullivan) is a bartender at a local bar. Pratt is quiet, very controlled, and a man of very few words. Sully is a flash of motion, moving constantly both body and mind, he is ALWAYS talking... he cannot sit still in silence.
Somehow these two fit together and found a solid place in each other's lives. It started with an accidental entry on Sully's part into Pratt's apartment, from there, a spare key to Sully's apartment, and a tap on the wall. They built their relationship quietly, one conversation to the next, When Sully stared drifting away, Pratt gave him time and space until Sully came back and confided in him. Sully's best friend committed suicide/un-alived himself and left Sully reeling from his death, mostly in guilt. Eventually he trusted Pratt enough to let him in. With Pratt, everything has a place, even his words, he was super hard to get a read on because he was the type of character who only spoke almost when he had no other choice or when it was important.
I’m glad Pickle makes his way into these stories one way or the other, he is my favorite. I love the way the past characters intertwine without needing to read all of the different series, a reader can pick up any book and not be confused but get a special treat from a past character either way.
I love Declan's writing style, I feel he hits us with a different style here and there, this one was quiet, almost like someone turned down the lights. So hard to explain.
Overall, I loved this book, I would give it a 4.75 because I wish we could have gotten to know Pratt a little bit more than we did.
They fell in love in the quiet moments between, hockey games, bar nights, apartment dates, and knocks on the door and wall.
Pratt is one of the goalies for the Chicago Iron hawks, Sully (Sullivan) is a bartender at a local bar. Pratt is quiet, very controlled, and a man of very few words. Sully is a flash of motion, moving constantly both body and mind, he is ALWAYS talking... he cannot sit still in silence.
Somehow these two fit together and found a solid place in each other's lives. It started with an accidental entry on Sully's part into Pratt's apartment, from there, a spare key to Sully's apartment, and a tap on the wall. They built their relationship quietly, one conversation to the next, When Sully stared drifting away, Pratt gave him time and space until Sully came back and confided in him. Sully's best friend committed suicide/un-alived himself and left Sully reeling from his death, mostly in guilt. Eventually he trusted Pratt enough to let him in. With Pratt, everything has a place, even his words, he was super hard to get a read on because he was the type of character who only spoke almost when he had no other choice or when it was important.
I’m glad Pickle makes his way into these stories one way or the other, he is my favorite. I love the way the past characters intertwine without needing to read all of the different series, a reader can pick up any book and not be confused but get a special treat from a past character either way.
I love Declan's writing style, I feel he hits us with a different style here and there, this one was quiet, almost like someone turned down the lights. So hard to explain.
Overall, I loved this book, I would give it a 4.75 because I wish we could have gotten to know Pratt a little bit more than we did.
May 12, 2026
4/5 stars
I really like Declan Rhodes's hockey romances. They put love compellingly front and center in a realistic way, and his characters have weight to them. "No Defense", a sequel to "Pressure Play", is the second entry in Rhodes's Top Tier series about players for the Chicago NHL team, the Ironhawks. "Pressure Play" was about two young players, Heath and Kieran, who appear as supporting characters in this book; "No Defense" is about a somewhat older player whom we met in the first installment, goalie Brock Pratt, and the gradual development of his relationship with his next-door neighbor in his apartment building, the bartender Sully O'Reilly. Both Pratt and Sully are laconic, tactical-minded men more given to disciplined thinking than to runaway feelings, so "No Defense" offers an affecting romance about two self-sufficient characters who have to choose to open their lives to one another. Unlike in "Pressure Play", the obstacles to the couple's shared happiness are internal rather than external, especially so for Sully, who has pain and guilt from a past trauma to work through. This feels like a story about real people, mature adults, finding their way to a place together.
Rhodes has over 40 novels to his credit, and he is very good at telling these stories. I continue to admire the economy of his writing: short, clipped sentences that land hard and mirror Pratt's and Sully's personalities. It's good to see the other Ironhawks again, too: the now happily coupled Heath and Kieran, the non-stop talker Varga, the veteran Rook. And I like how Rhodes writes about hockey strategy.
This series is worth following. The third entry, "Blind Spot", is due in June 2026.
With thanks to the author/publisher for access to a digital ARC on Booksprout. All opinions are very definitely my own.
I really like Declan Rhodes's hockey romances. They put love compellingly front and center in a realistic way, and his characters have weight to them. "No Defense", a sequel to "Pressure Play", is the second entry in Rhodes's Top Tier series about players for the Chicago NHL team, the Ironhawks. "Pressure Play" was about two young players, Heath and Kieran, who appear as supporting characters in this book; "No Defense" is about a somewhat older player whom we met in the first installment, goalie Brock Pratt, and the gradual development of his relationship with his next-door neighbor in his apartment building, the bartender Sully O'Reilly. Both Pratt and Sully are laconic, tactical-minded men more given to disciplined thinking than to runaway feelings, so "No Defense" offers an affecting romance about two self-sufficient characters who have to choose to open their lives to one another. Unlike in "Pressure Play", the obstacles to the couple's shared happiness are internal rather than external, especially so for Sully, who has pain and guilt from a past trauma to work through. This feels like a story about real people, mature adults, finding their way to a place together.
Rhodes has over 40 novels to his credit, and he is very good at telling these stories. I continue to admire the economy of his writing: short, clipped sentences that land hard and mirror Pratt's and Sully's personalities. It's good to see the other Ironhawks again, too: the now happily coupled Heath and Kieran, the non-stop talker Varga, the veteran Rook. And I like how Rhodes writes about hockey strategy.
This series is worth following. The third entry, "Blind Spot", is due in June 2026.
With thanks to the author/publisher for access to a digital ARC on Booksprout. All opinions are very definitely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
NO DEFENSE - DECLAN RHODES
This is Book 2 in the Top Tier series and can be read as a standalone.
Brock Pratt is the goalie for the Chicago Ironhawks and doesn’t believe in excess words or steps to get things done. There are set routines in his daily life and those that he follows on game days, and he has a neighbor that is changing those things a little at a time.
Sullivan O’Reilly, Sully to his friends, is the neighbor changing Pratt’s ways. He is a bartender at a local bar that the Ironhawks hang out in occasionally. He is constantly busy so he doesn’t have time to think about the loss of his childhood best friend. Sully asks Pratt to hold onto a key for his condo because he locks himself out at least twice a week. Their friendship starts from there.
Pratt discovers he is learning to like the chaos that having Sully in his life brings, and finds its nice to have someone to text with on road trips that actually understands his replies. When Sully kisses him for the first time, he realizes how attracted he is to him, and wants to spend more time getting to know him. From meals out, to dates at the Shedd Aquarium, they find themselves becoming closer and sharing more of themselves with each other. They are becoming necessary to each other, and trying to deal with what that means in reality. Who says the road to HEA is easy? But they agree that life is definitely better when you share it.
This is not your typical hockey romance, but it is the type of book you can expect from Declan Rhodes. He shares the characters from previous books so you are engaged immediately and want to see what happens next. And there are very emotional and realistic storylines in every single series he writes. This is an author everyone should read.
This is Book 2 in the Top Tier series and can be read as a standalone.
Brock Pratt is the goalie for the Chicago Ironhawks and doesn’t believe in excess words or steps to get things done. There are set routines in his daily life and those that he follows on game days, and he has a neighbor that is changing those things a little at a time.
Sullivan O’Reilly, Sully to his friends, is the neighbor changing Pratt’s ways. He is a bartender at a local bar that the Ironhawks hang out in occasionally. He is constantly busy so he doesn’t have time to think about the loss of his childhood best friend. Sully asks Pratt to hold onto a key for his condo because he locks himself out at least twice a week. Their friendship starts from there.
Pratt discovers he is learning to like the chaos that having Sully in his life brings, and finds its nice to have someone to text with on road trips that actually understands his replies. When Sully kisses him for the first time, he realizes how attracted he is to him, and wants to spend more time getting to know him. From meals out, to dates at the Shedd Aquarium, they find themselves becoming closer and sharing more of themselves with each other. They are becoming necessary to each other, and trying to deal with what that means in reality. Who says the road to HEA is easy? But they agree that life is definitely better when you share it.
This is not your typical hockey romance, but it is the type of book you can expect from Declan Rhodes. He shares the characters from previous books so you are engaged immediately and want to see what happens next. And there are very emotional and realistic storylines in every single series he writes. This is an author everyone should read.
April 30, 2026
I enjoy Declan’s writing a lot, I liked Sully and Pratt, but I felt off balance much of the time, and I’m not quite sure why. I think it’s partly that the MCs were quite different from the way I remember characters from his other books. Sully deflected with humor and non-stop storytelling, Pratt was a man of few words and at times I wasn’t quite sure how to take him. Both characters were more complicated than I expected, and I felt I kept learning about what made them tick until the last page. The romance (doesn’t really seem the right word to me) was the slowest developing one I can ever remember reading, but each found something in the other that they wanted and needed, leading to a comfortableness and understanding with each other that worked for them. Even with the connection between them, I still didn’t feel a strong emotional bond, and other than when Sully shared about his friend, emotions played a very small part (to my mind) in the growing relationship. I’m not sure if this is more a romance between two men who keep emotions tightly under control, but I don’t have the impression of this as a “forever” kind of connection. Nevertheless, I was glad to see these two arrive at an arrangement that worked for them, it seemed a long time coming.
There is a lot of hockey action, I enjoyed Heath and Kieran as friends Pratt could relate to off the ice. Pratt seemed very much a loner, and I would have liked more background information on him to understand him better.
I am glad I read the book, I hope there is a real future for these two, and hopefully they will reappear in future books in the series. I received an ARC from the author and this is my voluntary review.
There is a lot of hockey action, I enjoyed Heath and Kieran as friends Pratt could relate to off the ice. Pratt seemed very much a loner, and I would have liked more background information on him to understand him better.
I am glad I read the book, I hope there is a real future for these two, and hopefully they will reappear in future books in the series. I received an ARC from the author and this is my voluntary review.
April 22, 2026
This one felt much more introspective than I expected, with a strong focus on character rather than plot.
Pratt is such an interesting lead, everything about him is controlled, structured, and contained, to the point where it almost feels like he’s built his entire identity around routine. It makes sense given the pressure he’s under, but it also creates a real emotional distance that’s noticeable from the start. Then Sully crashes into that world in the most chaotic way possible. He’s loud, messy, and constantly in motion, but underneath that is someone carrying a lot of grief. The way the book handles his loss and the lingering impact of it felt thoughtful and grounded, even when it got heavy.
Their dynamic is very much opposites attracting, but not in a flashy way. It’s quieter, more about what they bring out in each other with Pratt learning to reach beyond his rigid structure, and Sully finding moments where he can actually slow down and feel.
A slower pace read and the tone stays fairly subdued throughout, which worked for the emotional themes but might not hit the same way if you’re expecting something more romantic. Still, it’s a solid, character-driven story that explores grief and connection in a nuanced way.
I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review
Pratt is such an interesting lead, everything about him is controlled, structured, and contained, to the point where it almost feels like he’s built his entire identity around routine. It makes sense given the pressure he’s under, but it also creates a real emotional distance that’s noticeable from the start. Then Sully crashes into that world in the most chaotic way possible. He’s loud, messy, and constantly in motion, but underneath that is someone carrying a lot of grief. The way the book handles his loss and the lingering impact of it felt thoughtful and grounded, even when it got heavy.
Their dynamic is very much opposites attracting, but not in a flashy way. It’s quieter, more about what they bring out in each other with Pratt learning to reach beyond his rigid structure, and Sully finding moments where he can actually slow down and feel.
A slower pace read and the tone stays fairly subdued throughout, which worked for the emotional themes but might not hit the same way if you’re expecting something more romantic. Still, it’s a solid, character-driven story that explores grief and connection in a nuanced way.
I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review
May 4, 2026
A SLOW BURN WITH POETRY IN THE MAKING!💕🥅🍹📱🎶
In the first book we met Brock Pratt Star Goaltender for the Chicago IronHawkes - weirdly superstitious and blunt and now in the second book we get to see more into his analytical mind by how he reads situations and people and how this made him find his happiness with a like minded analytical mind!
Sullivan O’Reilly walked into the wrong flat at the right time in his life- belonging to his next door neighbourand hockey player Brock Pratt- a time of moving constantly and masking quietness to get away from his guilt and grief… a sure defense mechanism…
Pratt was exactly what Sully needed in a neighbour, friend and lover- someone who read him correctly, knew when he needed space, knew how to ground him when he wanted to float away and knew when he needed to be himself or his other bartender persona…
The love of music, quietness when needed, unusual knocking patterns, eating positions, sporadic blunt texting and keen observations makes these two souls uniquely special for each other!
This is their slow burn love story of how music and calmness becomes the catalyst to emotional healing and love!
What a surprise the next couple will be- a secret relationship spanning 5 years!
I voluntarily received an ARC from the author for an honest non biased review.
In the first book we met Brock Pratt Star Goaltender for the Chicago IronHawkes - weirdly superstitious and blunt and now in the second book we get to see more into his analytical mind by how he reads situations and people and how this made him find his happiness with a like minded analytical mind!
Sullivan O’Reilly walked into the wrong flat at the right time in his life- belonging to his next door neighbourand hockey player Brock Pratt- a time of moving constantly and masking quietness to get away from his guilt and grief… a sure defense mechanism…
Pratt was exactly what Sully needed in a neighbour, friend and lover- someone who read him correctly, knew when he needed space, knew how to ground him when he wanted to float away and knew when he needed to be himself or his other bartender persona…
The love of music, quietness when needed, unusual knocking patterns, eating positions, sporadic blunt texting and keen observations makes these two souls uniquely special for each other!
This is their slow burn love story of how music and calmness becomes the catalyst to emotional healing and love!
What a surprise the next couple will be- a secret relationship spanning 5 years!
I voluntarily received an ARC from the author for an honest non biased review.
May 7, 2026
So enjoyable! Declan Rhodes has several hockey-focused series, and each one is different--and the stories within each series also vary from book to book. Pressure Play, the first book in the Top Tier series, focused on two high-profile players and featured a rhythm in the language and routines of the MCs that repeatedly reset the characters, echoing the repetition and minute adjustments required of professional athletes.
No Defense was a very different story, carrying the reader along via a freewheeling rock soundtrack and aggressively observed routines. Pratt is incredibly observant in his game and in his life, and demonstrates that he knows his teammates in ways that benefit their performance and make their lives better in all sorts of small ways. Sully is compassionate and self-aware--and struggling.
Their honesty was refreshing, and the meshing of their communication styles was charming and entertaining. I liked that Pratt's very sparing conversation was not considered a defect, and I loved that Sully learned to interpret both Pratt's words and his silences. Their lives wove together very naturally, if not entirely intentionally, and the people who love them are present and challenging and supportive all at the same time.
The action of the story is deftly interspersed with romance and character growth--a very satisfying read.
No Defense was a very different story, carrying the reader along via a freewheeling rock soundtrack and aggressively observed routines. Pratt is incredibly observant in his game and in his life, and demonstrates that he knows his teammates in ways that benefit their performance and make their lives better in all sorts of small ways. Sully is compassionate and self-aware--and struggling.
Their honesty was refreshing, and the meshing of their communication styles was charming and entertaining. I liked that Pratt's very sparing conversation was not considered a defect, and I loved that Sully learned to interpret both Pratt's words and his silences. Their lives wove together very naturally, if not entirely intentionally, and the people who love them are present and challenging and supportive all at the same time.
The action of the story is deftly interspersed with romance and character growth--a very satisfying read.
April 23, 2026
This is a hockey romance where the focus is more on the two characters than the sport. It's the second book in the Ironhawkes series but apart from knowing the secondary characters, it's easy to read as a stand-alone.
I found it hard to get into the book, it has the author's more descriptive style, so getting to know the characters is always harder for me. But Sully and Pratt made me work for their HEA.
It's a story of a goalie who is set in his life and his ways to the extreme. Not using any more energy than necessary in interacting with others, disceting each part of his life to the last measure.
Sully is the bartender who lives impulsive, crashing into Pratt's predictable and accountable life when he moves next door. What takes a good portion of the book is to discover why Sully acts the way he does.
It's a story of a man lost in unacknowledged grief and another who has to learn to accept variations and the unexpected to ensure the love is there to stay.
If you read this book more as a character romance than hockey you will like it.
My only negative is that I feel I miss on background, there is basically nothing on Pratt, incl. the reasons for his fairly compulsive behaviour.
I found it hard to get into the book, it has the author's more descriptive style, so getting to know the characters is always harder for me. But Sully and Pratt made me work for their HEA.
It's a story of a goalie who is set in his life and his ways to the extreme. Not using any more energy than necessary in interacting with others, disceting each part of his life to the last measure.
Sully is the bartender who lives impulsive, crashing into Pratt's predictable and accountable life when he moves next door. What takes a good portion of the book is to discover why Sully acts the way he does.
It's a story of a man lost in unacknowledged grief and another who has to learn to accept variations and the unexpected to ensure the love is there to stay.
If you read this book more as a character romance than hockey you will like it.
My only negative is that I feel I miss on background, there is basically nothing on Pratt, incl. the reasons for his fairly compulsive behaviour.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Declan Rhodes is a good writer and it comes across in this book. He deals with the difficult subject of suicide in a thoughtful and appropriate manner.
Pratt, the goalie for the Ironhawks has a routine for game day but it seems his whole life is a precise routine and order. He has just moved into a condo but is repeatedly interupted by Sully who loves mid-day parties, pestering neighbours in the middle of the night but who carried survivor guilt. His best friend from elementary school and beyond has killed himself. Sully is fine when he is working or busy but a phone call from his friend's mother awakens his feelings all over again.
Pratt, who speaks in short clipped sentences as if he has no feelings takes the risk to connect with Sully in his withdrawal and that brings Sully back to life more than talking to his family or coworkers would ever accomplish.
This is the second book in the Top Tier series and like the first it deals with human behaviour. However, even though the characters from the first book are in this one too as is Pickle from the Thunder Bay series, I just could not recommend this one as highly as the first book Top Shelf.
Pratt, the goalie for the Ironhawks has a routine for game day but it seems his whole life is a precise routine and order. He has just moved into a condo but is repeatedly interupted by Sully who loves mid-day parties, pestering neighbours in the middle of the night but who carried survivor guilt. His best friend from elementary school and beyond has killed himself. Sully is fine when he is working or busy but a phone call from his friend's mother awakens his feelings all over again.
Pratt, who speaks in short clipped sentences as if he has no feelings takes the risk to connect with Sully in his withdrawal and that brings Sully back to life more than talking to his family or coworkers would ever accomplish.
This is the second book in the Top Tier series and like the first it deals with human behaviour. However, even though the characters from the first book are in this one too as is Pickle from the Thunder Bay series, I just could not recommend this one as highly as the first book Top Shelf.
May 3, 2026
No Defense is Declan Rhodes’ second book in the Top Tier Series. I love Rhodes’ hockey books, but this series has been more somber than his previous hockey series. No Defense gives us the story of goalie Pratt and bartender Sully. Pratt meets Sully, when Sully accidentally walks into Pratt’s new condo after he moves in. Getting locked out is apparently a bad habit so Sully, gives Pratt a key. This begins a tentative friendship. Pratt is a tightly wound, particular kind of guy, whose attention to detail is borderline obsessive. Sully, seems like he is carefree but Pratt’s observational skills see the anxiety under the mask he wears. Pratt is calm and collected, Sully is energy that does not stop. When they are together, they settle each other.
The relationship is a slow build with them falling as it works into their daily lives. Sully as a character seemed more developed in the story than Pratt. I liked the story but I wanted more from Pratt’s character. Sully never even called him by his first name and I found that so odd, considering they were in a relationship. Overall, I enjoyed the first book in the series more but it is still a good read.
The relationship is a slow build with them falling as it works into their daily lives. Sully as a character seemed more developed in the story than Pratt. I liked the story but I wanted more from Pratt’s character. Sully never even called him by his first name and I found that so odd, considering they were in a relationship. Overall, I enjoyed the first book in the series more but it is still a good read.
April 24, 2026
If I could read one author that everyone one should read, Declan Rhodes is that person. The books are engaging, have emotional depth, and hook you from page one. This one is no different. Book two in this series (but easily read as standalone, but more fun if read first book first) focuses on two opposites who find romance and love. Pratt (Brock), the hockey star is all about control and order and precision; Sully, the bartender is hyper and always on the move. I love the context of how they meet when Sully shows up at rock condo and a friendship begins. A great book with a plot that is engaging and one you will invest. Understanding Sully's past made me want to hug him and tell him it was all okay (of course Pratt does that). A great book about hockey and love but more so a great book about healing from past to find a new future. A slow burning romance where these two opposites make one another a better man and a perfect couple.
April 28, 2026
I am torn over how to review this book, as I really do like Declan Rhodes as an authour, but if I am honest, this book fell flat for me.
There was no character development as far as I am concerned, especially with Platt-there is no explanation as to why he is the way he is. Are we to assume it is because he is a goalie?
As for Sully, I do not even know where to start.
If I am being honest, I am not sure I liked either character.
I also felt lost when it came to the side characters-this is one of the few times when I think you need to read the books in order, which I have, but even that did not help me. It was like Rhodes was talking about characters that he is assuming you know/remember from book one.
I am sure this is a one off for me; maybe I was just not in the right mood when I was reading it.
I will not give up on the series, as I usually find Rhodes to be a good read.
I received an ARC for my honest review.
There was no character development as far as I am concerned, especially with Platt-there is no explanation as to why he is the way he is. Are we to assume it is because he is a goalie?
As for Sully, I do not even know where to start.
If I am being honest, I am not sure I liked either character.
I also felt lost when it came to the side characters-this is one of the few times when I think you need to read the books in order, which I have, but even that did not help me. It was like Rhodes was talking about characters that he is assuming you know/remember from book one.
I am sure this is a one off for me; maybe I was just not in the right mood when I was reading it.
I will not give up on the series, as I usually find Rhodes to be a good read.
I received an ARC for my honest review.
April 29, 2026
Brock Pratt, Ironhawks goalie, goes through life with set routines, everything is precise, from the words he say, to the movements in goal. Sullivan O'Reilly/Sully is the neighbour who loves 70s music.
This had a different feel to Pressure Play, both Pratt and Sully have routine and whilst so similar are so different. Whilst we don't know why Pratt is the way he is, but as you read, more is known about Sully and his grief, whilst hard to read, this topic was handled sensitively.
I was really interested with how Pratt's mind worked, understanding his reasoning and the way Sully fitted so seamlessly.
The hockey was told from Pratt's perspective, enforcing how quick his mind was, Heath and Kieran played a role with Pratt and I liked how everyone listened to Pratt.
Varga was his chatty self and he definitely has a story I want to know about.
I always look forward to reading anything from Declan Rhodes
This had a different feel to Pressure Play, both Pratt and Sully have routine and whilst so similar are so different. Whilst we don't know why Pratt is the way he is, but as you read, more is known about Sully and his grief, whilst hard to read, this topic was handled sensitively.
I was really interested with how Pratt's mind worked, understanding his reasoning and the way Sully fitted so seamlessly.
The hockey was told from Pratt's perspective, enforcing how quick his mind was, Heath and Kieran played a role with Pratt and I liked how everyone listened to Pratt.
Varga was his chatty self and he definitely has a story I want to know about.
I always look forward to reading anything from Declan Rhodes
May 5, 2026
GOD, I love goalies.
That's it, that's the review. Give me a goalie and I'm a happy girl.
Okay, I kid. Really though, this was a reminder of why I fell in love Rhodes' hockey books to begin with. He doesn't just write smut, he writes books with heart and depth. (Not that there's anything wrong with books whose sole purpose is Spice, that's just not my cup of tea.) He makes you fall in love with and feel for the characters, and now that I've gotten into real-life hockey because of these books, it's fun to read the hockey parts too. I love how there are still little callbacks to the Storm Warning series with the Pickle mentions from Heath, even though our protagonists in this book have no connection to Thunder Bay.
I keep falling in love with this author's work more and more with every book, and I can't WAIT for the next one!!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
That's it, that's the review. Give me a goalie and I'm a happy girl.
Okay, I kid. Really though, this was a reminder of why I fell in love Rhodes' hockey books to begin with. He doesn't just write smut, he writes books with heart and depth. (Not that there's anything wrong with books whose sole purpose is Spice, that's just not my cup of tea.) He makes you fall in love with and feel for the characters, and now that I've gotten into real-life hockey because of these books, it's fun to read the hockey parts too. I love how there are still little callbacks to the Storm Warning series with the Pickle mentions from Heath, even though our protagonists in this book have no connection to Thunder Bay.
I keep falling in love with this author's work more and more with every book, and I can't WAIT for the next one!!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 23, 2026
Brock is a hockey goalie who does things his own way, and honestly, it works for him. Sully, the bartender with an unexpected and fun music taste, is the perfect balance to Brock—even if they don’t seem like it at first. They fit together in their own unique way, and that’s what makes their story so enjoyable.
This book brings solid hockey knowledge along with a great music vibe that adds another layer to the story. Sully’s journey of facing his past—especially when it comes back into his life unexpectedly—adds depth and emotion without taking away from the lighter moments.
With strong friendships, supportive teammates, and a well-earned happy ever after, this story delivers on heart, humor, and connection.
I received this ARC from BookFunnel and voluntarily leaving my review.
Monica
This book brings solid hockey knowledge along with a great music vibe that adds another layer to the story. Sully’s journey of facing his past—especially when it comes back into his life unexpectedly—adds depth and emotion without taking away from the lighter moments.
With strong friendships, supportive teammates, and a well-earned happy ever after, this story delivers on heart, humor, and connection.
I received this ARC from BookFunnel and voluntarily leaving my review.
Monica
May 1, 2026
Still deciding how I feel about Declan Rhodes' sparse writing style. I read another review that likened it to old-timey detective speak, and that probably describes it? Not overly spicy, his writing is more substance. Brock Pratt and Sullivan O'Reilly are downtown Chicago neighbors and two completely different types of people. Sully (bartender) never stops talking and moving, and Pratt (NHL hockey goalie), is a man of few words, maybe somewhere on the spectrum, likes order, quiet and planning. Sully has his own baggage from a previous close friend, and Pratt never lets anyone get close.
Pro: I did like how music (Fleetwood Mac especially) was used to help them communicate in a way and how it was used to flesh out Sully's past. Con: lots of hocky play-by-play which doesn't bother me, but if that not your jam this probably isn't a top read for you.
Pro: I did like how music (Fleetwood Mac especially) was used to help them communicate in a way and how it was used to flesh out Sully's past. Con: lots of hocky play-by-play which doesn't bother me, but if that not your jam this probably isn't a top read for you.
May 13, 2026
This is the second book in the Top Tier series and I really enjoyed this book. This is the story of Brock Pratt and Sullivan O’Reilly. Brock is the starting goaltender for the Chicago Ironhawks. Hockey players are normally superstitious and routine based but goaltenders usually take that to a whole other level. And Brock is a goaltender. Sully is a bartender and neighbor to Brock. He is also suffering from grief. This is their story. The book is well written and easy to read. A definite slow burn romance. I liked how they each eased the other's pain. I enjoyed this book. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 24, 2026
ARC review
The second book in Top Tier hockey romance series from Declan Rhodes is here. I really enjoyed my time reading this. Pratt and Sully have a very strong connection building between them from the start. This books focus is more on the relationship between them and personal growth then the hockey part. They have an unique understanding of each other which comes out in the way they communicate. Pratt is very set in his way and like to keep to his rutine, whereas Sully who is alway in motion learns that it's okay to slow down sometimes. He also carries with him difficult feelings that he hasn't dealt with yet. This is a deeply emotional read.
The second book in Top Tier hockey romance series from Declan Rhodes is here. I really enjoyed my time reading this. Pratt and Sully have a very strong connection building between them from the start. This books focus is more on the relationship between them and personal growth then the hockey part. They have an unique understanding of each other which comes out in the way they communicate. Pratt is very set in his way and like to keep to his rutine, whereas Sully who is alway in motion learns that it's okay to slow down sometimes. He also carries with him difficult feelings that he hasn't dealt with yet. This is a deeply emotional read.
April 30, 2026
Sully is in constant motion, it's his defense mechanism. Pratt lives in the condo next door and is organized calm. Sully mistakes Pratt's door for his and they soon find themselves more than just neighbours. Sully's motion is his protection from the past and the guilt he feels over the loss of his best friend. What he needs is what Pratt offers. Pratt sees Sully and they soon become what they need from each other. Their affair starts as a slow burn as they learn about each other and how their differences compliment each other.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 11, 2026
Book 2 of Top Tier. Can be read as a standalone.
'Now he has to decide what matters more: holding the line, or letting someone in.
Because love doesn’t follow rules.
It asks to be chosen.'
The characters were very appealing and likeable and complicated and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and exciting and well paced. World building was solidly drawn and impressive. All in all a great addition to the series. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy the read!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
'Now he has to decide what matters more: holding the line, or letting someone in.
Because love doesn’t follow rules.
It asks to be chosen.'
The characters were very appealing and likeable and complicated and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and exciting and well paced. World building was solidly drawn and impressive. All in all a great addition to the series. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy the read!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 23, 2026
Pratt is the goalie for a hockey team. Sully is his next door neighbor and a bartender. Pratt is the most focused person you've ever seen about everything. His mind is like a computer tracking every element and variable as to where it goes and how things work. Sully is an instinctual, emotionally based guy who is intuitive. They shouldn't work but, boy, do they. And when the pain and sadness comes, Pratt is there for him, so deep. Be warned, there's a lot of hockey in this one but it only reinforces and adds to the story! I received a copy of this and this is my voluntary opinion.
May 8, 2026
Rated 3.5 - Starting this off with I don’t usually write a review- just rate. The difficulty with this series is that the author uses a very straight forward or some would say dry approach to writing. It can feel emotionless. Some poor ratings/reviews reflect this rather than the story line. After book 1 of this series I was conflicted whether I would continue with the series or not. I am glad I did! This book, while still a flat writing style, I was able to feel some real emotions. Definitely read the trigger warnings as it contains a big one.
May 10, 2026
This second book had a very different feel to the first. Goalie Pratt is really analytical and quite fixed in his routines. His neighbour, bartender Sully, is far louder and more chaotic, and underneath it all running from grief. Pratt gradually shows a softer side in this careful slow burn romance. I liked the way the ice and the bar were both described as almost living entities, as the characters did feel them as such.
Thanks for the advance copy via Booksprout, I am happy to leave a voluntary review.
Thanks for the advance copy via Booksprout, I am happy to leave a voluntary review.
May 5, 2026
Thank you for the book; here is my honest opinion:
This was kind of an unusual and quiet romance, I enjoyed it. The pacing felt very methodical, which fit these two characters perfectly. Pratt lives by his own exacting rules, they are very much part of him. It seems to be how he makes sense of the world. Sully is quite the opposite but I think he finds comfort and safety in Pratt and his unique particular-ness. They make sense together, cool read.
This was kind of an unusual and quiet romance, I enjoyed it. The pacing felt very methodical, which fit these two characters perfectly. Pratt lives by his own exacting rules, they are very much part of him. It seems to be how he makes sense of the world. Sully is quite the opposite but I think he finds comfort and safety in Pratt and his unique particular-ness. They make sense together, cool read.
May 7, 2026
Declan Rhodes continues his Top Tier series with book two, featuring Sully, the bartender, and Pratt the hockey goalie. They are neighbors who become more. As others have said, this is a slow burn, and you spend a lot of time in the main characters heads--this added more complexity to the story. Music plays a role, as Sully listens to records and even Pratt has an understanding of music. Looking forward to the next installment of this series.
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