Take the Risk

**Beta Read**

Y'all ain’t ready.

Denali + Zariah

Take the Risk follows our captain, Denali and his quest to prove to Zariah that he has changed.

When we meet our FMC, Zariah, its when her twin brother Elijah is picking her up from the airport. & honestly, Denali recognizing Zariah off the rip meant we were going to get tension and angst.

& Bree delivered. Denali and Zariah are messy! I love a messy love story. These two went through a lot in their teens and maybe them being older has given them a chance to grow into adults.

Zariah is strong minded, and doesn't allow Denali to get away with anything. She makes him 100% better. A better version of himself. He has to EARN her back.

The side characters in Take the Risk also, help our MCs navigate some things in relation to love/friendship which makes me even happier because HELLO we're getting more meat from our support characters & it also means... MORE BOOKS.

Thank you to Bree for the opportunity to BETA read Take the Risk and I am leaving a review voluntary in exchange for an honest review.

beta hockey romance

Adriana Luzia

60 reviews3 followers

contemporary-romance new-adult second-chance-romance

I truly enjoyed this one. The writing is fluid and pulled me straight into the story.

Both MCs start off very closed-off, which made it even more satisfying to watch their journey back to each other. Five years before, they left things abruptly and painfully so seeing them slowly move towards understanding and closure, it felt earned.

The tension was absolutely delivered. It had me hooked every single chapter.
And the smut chapters are also very well done. I loved their dynamic and the way they explore each other, because it felt intentional, mature and perfectly aligned with their age and personalities.

Denali is definitely not your typical fluffy MMC, oh no, not even close. He’s obsessive, a little stalker-ish but fiercely devoted. And Zariah matches him energy for energy.

𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗹𝘆.

Ginny

242 reviews20 followers

February 19, 2026

Thank you Bree Hayden for sending me an ARC of this book.

I really think this book is for someone, I just don’t think I am that someone. I was rooting for the main characters and their love story, but everything felt too MUCH. I like an obsessed man… not like this. I was constantly thinking that they were headed in a normal direction, and then BAM something icky would happen again. If you like a possessive, obsessed man that borderlines stalking, this may be for you (and I would recommend it if that’s your thing).

Julieann

133 reviews6 followers

February 20, 2026

4.5 / ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2 / 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Bree Hayden has done what I once considered to be impossible: make me love a second-chance romance. In fact, this is my favorite book of hers so far, hands-down.

I get the appeal of the second-chance trope, however, typically it just isn’t for me. Usually whatever issues or hang-ups that caused the couple to break up in the first place are never resolved when their second chance rolls around. That was not the case in this book. A lot of relationship issues that occurred in the past could largely be attributed to the FMC and MMC’s young age (fifteen) as well as the traumatic things they were both going through separately.

In the present day, Bree Hayden does a wonderful job of showing how much each character has changed and how they’re putting forth a conscious effort to be better and make healthier choices. This story felt very real and grounded and was incredibly heart-felt. I caught myself tearing up at multiple points in the story. Denali is a top-tier yearner, but now is a healthy, boundary-respecting yearner. Zariah is a strong, confident FMC who wasn’t stubborn for the sake of it; she was willing to give Denali a chance so long as he respected her boundaries and didn’t push her into discomfort. Their banter and relationship was so sweet and cute, and I liked the fact that they didn’t immediately rush into a relationship. They took the time to get to know each other as adults first.

As always, the side characters in this universe have a lot of depth, personality, and are so funny; I laughed out loud several times. I can’t wait to see which character is next to get their own standalone. (I’m thinking that it’s Nick, but we shall see).

📖Book Tropes:
👥Dual POV
💕Second Chance
♥️He Falls First and Harder
🥺Yearning
❤️‍🔥Slow burn
🏒Hockey Romance

I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy of this book and am providing my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and my rating reflects my genuine experience with the book.

Tessa J Thorstenson

17 reviews1 follower

Review of advance copy received from Author

Take the Risk is a standout college hockey romance that thrives on tension, emotional depth, and the irresistible pull of an enemies‑to‑lovers arc done right. Bree Hayden builds Denali and Zariah’s story across shifting timelines, letting their past unravel piece by piece until every complicated feeling finally makes sense. The structure isn’t just clever—it’s essential, giving their dynamic weight and history that you feel long before either of them admits what’s happening between them. Denali is the kind of hero who hits hard emotionally: stern on the surface, disciplined to a fault, but a complete cinnamon roll when it comes to Zariah. And he falls first—fast, deep, and with a sincerity that makes every interaction crackle. Zariah, meanwhile, is a force. Strong, grounded, and unwilling to be steamrolled by anyone, she brings a resilience and clarity that balances Denali’s intensity. Their chemistry is sharp, but their emotional development is even sharper. Hayden’s pacing is one of the book’s biggest strengths. She lets the tension simmer, lets the resentment and attraction collide, and never rushes the shift from enemies to something far more vulnerable. Every reveal in their past adds another layer, and by the time the full picture comes into focus, their connection feels inevitable. As a sports romance, the hockey backdrop adds energy without overshadowing the heart of the story. As a character-driven romance, it shines—full of longing, friction, and the kind of emotional payoff that feels earned. Take the Risk is a beautifully crafted, slow-unraveling love story with two characters who challenge each other, heal each other, and ultimately choose each other. Bree Hayden nails the emotional beats, the tension, and the tenderness, making this a must-read for fans of layered enemies-to-lovers romances.

Katy

498 reviews24 followers

March 4, 2026

•Hockey Romance
•Second Chance
•Brothers Best Friend
•Very Spicy
•No 3rd Act Breakup

Okay, wow, I absolutely loved this book! This author has quickly become one of my favorites. The plot, the characters, the tension, the chemistry. It has everything and more than I could’ve wanted. Both characters are SO obsessed with each other and their connection is so deep.

The way the author portrayed the brother’s best friend trope was such a breath of fresh air. I thought it was so cute Elijah was all for their relationship and then Zariah and Denali kept fucking with him and grossing him out.
Side-note: I need Elijah’s story like yesterday.

These two are soooo romantic. There’s so many cute moments of them. And good lord the spice was spicy. They go at it repeatedly but it never got repetitive like some super spicy books do.

I love how this authors characters are absolute messes and almost nothing goes right for them. It makes them seem so real and relatable.

I was worried because at the beginning Zariah does get on my nerves a little but it only happened a few times then it never happened again. We’re only 2 books into this series and so far both have been 5 star reads for me and I can tell this will be one I come back to reread over and over again. I cannot wait for the next book! I have a feeling Tallulah was the reason Nick was going to Canada.

Definitely read this if you like a super spicy but also romantic and plot heavy hockey romance.

Paola

116 reviews37 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

March 1, 2026

No one writes such believable college banter as Bree does!

In this one, we're following Zariah and Denali as they give each other a second chance at love, years after their chaotic first breakup. There was a lot that happened between them in the past, a lot of toxicity they needed to acknowledge, and a lot they needed to discuss before giving each other another chance. There was SO much groveling here, but it was very much needed for them, especially Denali, to grow and understand their past mistakes. I loved how Bree took her time building their new relationship — it was a true slow burn, and it worked perfectly for their dynamic. There are some aspects that I didn't vibe with completely, but I still liked the story as a whole.

My favorite part about this whole series is how well she writes the interactions between all of these characters! They're funny, and sometimes silly, and just make sense! A character said or did something, and I immediately thought to myself "oh yeah, they'd definitely do that". She's building and deepening them throughout the whole series, and it's amazing to experience it through each new book! My favorites so far are still June and Bear, but I'm excited to see if that will change in the future! All in all, I highly recommend Bree's books!!

A huge thank you to the author for sending me an ARC of this book!

phoebe

42 reviews44 followers

did-not-finish

This was unfortunately a DNF for me. I really tried to get through it I was absolutely replused by the MMC. He and our FMC dated when they were around 15/16 and he was so emotionally abusive towards her. You are telling me that this man tried to get emancipated to marry her when they were teens and then got mad at her for saying no because she didn't want to do that. Like what?! We are also brushing over the fact that after she went home from the summer they spent together, he followed her across multiple state lines and crashed her grandfather's funeral because she left him. Then we go to the present time, and this man thinks everything was her fault, and then he's like "ya I can see what I did could be perceived that way" I beg youre finest parton, sir. Don't get me wrong, the writing was amazing, which was what kept me going, but the MMC was just awful; nothing was appealing about him. He was also a bully to a younger player on his team, and not in a haha, joke type of way, like I would file a HIB on the MMC if I were the younger player.

Symone

392 reviews14 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

4.5⭐️*ARC REVIEW* I really enjoyed this book, honestly even more than the first one.

Denali runs into an ex-girlfriend from five years ago, and things quickly become complicated since there was never any real closure. Add in the fact that she’s related to someone on the team, and the tension gets even better. Watching all those unresolved emotions come to the surface was really engaging.

Denali being completely head over heels was adorable and slightly concerning 😅. Dude was intensely infatuated with her, but I liked how her presence changed his dynamics with the team and showed a different side of him. Their personalities meshed well. He was anxious, and she had a way of calming him down. I also appreciated getting Denali’s POV after being on Bear’s side in the first book.

Seeing more of Elijah was another highlight. He came across as a hothead before, but this book definitely redeemed him for me. And as always, the team’s brotherhood and found-family vibe was a huge plus.

Overall, a great sequel with strong character growth and a team dynamic I loved.

Dawn Smit

197 reviews6 followers

I loved book 1 in this series (Call the Shots) and I've been eagerly awaiting this one and I had high hopes I would feel the same but unfortunately I didn't

I couldn't connect with the main characters, their behavior was frustrating and too chaotic for me and the book was too long with lots of unnecessarily repeated topics and other topics felt rushed.

I loved getting to be back in this friend group as there are some fun characters who's stories I'm looking forward to, especially Elijah and Montoya and I have lots of questions about Nick & 🇨🇦 and the ? in his arms at the party

Thank you Bree for the ARC opportunity 💕

jadynfrahm

141 reviews5 followers

Thank you Bree Hayden for the opportunity to read this arc book. This is my third arc book by you and every single one I have enjoyed. You bring up uncomfortable topics and make people feel seen, so thank you.
I really enjoyed this book. I liked the build up a the tension of unsaid words between Zariah and Denali. I also enjoyed how you bring in the characters from the other books and keep them throughout the series. When I was reading this book I felt like I was inside the book or watching it unfold in front of me. This was so well written and I can’t wait to read more from you!!

Mia

499 reviews8 followers

Review of advance copy received from Netgalley

ARC review:
A heartwarming second chance romance with hockey and spice :)

I liked how the second chance was written, and definitely a sweet and emotionel story!

I will be in the look out for more books by Bree Hayden (this was my second ;) )

A thanks to netgalley for the ARC

ebook netgalley

Michellelovesreading

1,543 reviews180 followers

This is the second book In the for the arena series and it didn’t disappoint.

Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Mette Larsen

11 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

February 22, 2026

I received an advance copy of this book prior to publication from the author. This review reflects my honest opinion.

This book was intense — and definitely not a fluffy Hallmark-style hockey romance. It dives into emotionally heavy topics that will hit differently for every reader. I strongly recommend reading the trigger warnings beforehand. This story is an emotional rollercoaster — I laughed, I cried, and at times I just sat there processing.

If you’re expecting a cute, light college hockey romance with a slightly obsessed boy-next-door vibe, this isn’t that. This is slow burn, layered, and full of tension and unanswered questions that slowly unravel. The story keeps you wondering: Why do they react the way they do? What really happened in the past? And when the answers come, they matter.

Denali as a teenager is, frankly, a walking red flag. His intensity and actions carry serious consequences. There’s no romanticizing who he was at fifteen. What makes the story compelling, though, is growth. As an adult, he’s still intense — that part of him doesn’t disappear — but he’s self-aware, trying to control his impulses, trying to be better. For many readers, he will still feel like a red flag. For me, what stood out was that he tries. He’s devoted, he is trying to be honest and it can be painful to admit once short cummings and mistakes, and he never stopped loving her.
His evolution is messy but intentional.

Zariah carries an enormous burden from a young age — far more than any fifteen-year-old should. When she reconnects with Denali, her caution makes complete sense. Trust isn’t something she hands out lightly. What I appreciated most about her is her communication and boundaries. She voices her feelings, calls him out when needed, and refuses to ignore red flags. She doesn’t shame him for who he is; instead, she engages, questions, and challenges him. That balance adds depth to their dynamic.

While the book itself doesn’t explicitly explore different philosophies of love, it sparked a lot of reflection in me as a reader. It made me think about the many forms love can take — safe and steady love, consuming and chaotic love, love that challenges you, love that reshapes you. It left me wondering whether we can truly judge someone else’s relationship simply because it doesn’t look like our own.

There is plenty of spice, and the dynamic leans toward power exchange in the bedroom, while outside of it Zariah maintains strong emotional footing. The contrast adds another layer to their relationship.

Overall, this was an emotionally charged, complex second-chance romance that doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable themes. It’s not soft or simple — but it is compelling, intense, and ultimately rewarding.

4,75 stars from me.
I am intrigued about the author and curious about her other books.

Don

52 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

This is a story about obsession, lies, accountability, and the sacrifices people make when love and pride collide. It’s intense, layered, and at times deeply frustrating in both good and complicated ways.

The childhood drama is where my biggest issue sits.

Yes, the MMC made possessive, reckless choices. But he was fifteen. The FMC was dealing with heavy family circumstances. And yet somehow, the adults escape real accountability. Both families are quick to assign blame to two emotionally overwhelmed teenagers while ignoring their own absence and failures. I kept waiting for someone to acknowledge that the adults played a role in how everything unraveled and that reckoning never fully comes. A little more ownership or even groveling from the parents would have made the emotional arc feel more complete.

Now let’s talk about Zariah (the FMC)

I wanted to be fully on her side and at times, I was. But her hot/cold behavior toward Denali became frustrating. She often demanded accountability (which is fair), yet didn’t always acknowledge how external forces and family interference contributed to the collapse of their relationship when they were younger. It felt like she was validated repeatedly, but without much internal reflection in return. I kept waiting for a moment where she recognized that their past wasn’t shaped by one person alone.

And honestly… I’m not entirely convinced what they had at fifteen was genuine love. It felt more like intensity, obsession, and trauma bonding than something stable or rooted. When they reunite, they do build something deeper. There is effort, intention, and more awareness but even then, I’m not sure it fully reached the emotional depth I was hoping for. There’s growth, yes. But not as much mutual evolution as I expected.

Denali (the MMC), however, was compelling. Flawed? Absolutely. A walking red flag as a teenager? Without question. But what stood out to me was that he tries. He owns his mistakes. He gives her space and choice. His growth is messy but intentional, and that effort is what kept me invested.

Montoya is another point of concern. I understand he’s written as the shy, naive freshman, but the lack of development since book one is noticeable. While everyone else is wrestling with their flaws and evolving, he feels stagnant and at this point in the series, that’s hard to ignore.

This book gave me emotional whiplash at times. Some parts felt like 2 stars, and then suddenly I was devouring the ending like it was a 5. That push and pull is exactly why I landed at a 4. It’s not perfect. It frustrated me. But it also kept me hooked.

If you’re expecting soft and sweet, this isn’t it.

If you want obsession, complicated growth, flawed characters forced to confront their past, and hockey woven into high-stakes emotional tension, this is perfect for you

Danielle Russell

37 reviews1 follower

Review of advance copy received from Author

ARC review for Take the Risk (4 ⭐ & 3 🌶️)

I had the privilege of being an ARC reader for the first book in this series last year, and clicked the sign-up button for this one with zero hesitation! I have loved everything written by Bree, and this was no exception!

Denali and Zariah are essentially obsessed with each other (like crazy obsessed) and despite that being an issue of their past, they find a path that toes the line at times, but ultimately works for them.

Denali could be considered a walking red flag in a lot of ways, and his teenage self definitely was, but what contradicted that in the present was how he recognized those things. The way he remembered his and Zariah's relationship was definitely clouded by his own feelings about the breakup, but what really worked for me with him was how willing he was to work on something that ultimately broke them. He didn't set out to try to change himself, but rather listened to what Zariah needed from him and they met in their own happy middle. This didn't just apply to their personal relationship, but also his relationship with other characters. While I understood why he was upset with Montoya and how those consequences affected people close to him, his lack of empathy in the beginning made me want to lovingly strangle him. I think working through his past with Zariah and learning about himself made him a better captain, friend, and person. I personally was a fan of most of his obsessive tendencies, but there were a few that were a bit too far for me. I am definitely not trying to yuck on anyone's yum, some elements just weren't fully for me; however, 99% of his spicy scenes, whew!!

I kind of waffled on my feelings of Zariah throughout the book. I understood her motivation and where she was coming from on most things, but I wasn't a fan of how she often seemed to act like it was "my way or the highway". Otherwise, I really enjoyed how her appreciation for Denali's tendencies / habits grew with maturity. Instead of automatically labelling things he did or needed as "unhealthy", she talked with him about it and made an effort to understand, even coming to like what he was putting out there. The relationship she had with her brother was also great to see. Having a close sibling myself (not a twin though), a lot of their banter made me laugh because it came off as something that could happen in reality.

I really enjoyed watching their growth and getting more insight into the other characters that we'll hopefully be seeing in future books. Thank you for the advanced copy - I’m already speculating about who we’ll follow next in this series and I’ll absolutely be there for it.

arc

Soph

4 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

February 19, 2026

This book is a story of young lovers. Lovers who don’t truly understand the meaning of relationship dynamics. Denali and Zariah were each other’s first everything. Throwing into that was Zaria’s grandfathers worsening illness, distance and plain relationship ignorance.

When things go down south, Zariah has to leave her grandfather, the hockey boot camp. Her first love, Denali. Denali scrambles to understand and copes in a way that many do when they loose control of a situation. Especially at 15. By clutching at straws and passing blame to those around him.

Years later, fate brings them back together in the most unexpected way. The Gladiators are the Hockey Team of Denali and Elijah (Zariah brother). When Elijah introduces his best friend to his twin sister they are both on edge. Plagued with shock and fear of past actions Zariahs guards remain high and bolted around Denali.

As the story progresses you see a wide birth of character development. Especially in Denali. He grows to understand his actions past and present. He acknowledges wrongdoing and understands that actions speak louder than words. His emotional understanding and development are worked upon by himself and Zariah. Especially after they both acknowledge the past. By understanding their issues and conversing they found a new space to work upon boundaries, friendship and trust. There’s a thin line between love and hate. Especially when the hate displayed is due to fear.

The reactions of their families was so well written. It was believable, the emotions were felt through each sentence. The concern, the confusion, the betrayal.

One thing I will say is there is a lot of information to digest. This book is 58 chapters and information from right at the start will be brought into context towards the end so it does feel like there is some random bits of information left unsolved. However it is all wrapped in the end leaving no loose ends.

This book was an emotional rollercoaster. It had me laughing, clutching my heart, fanning myself 🥵and plain wondering if everything was okay. By Taking a Risk, how do you ever truely know how something is going to pan out?

If Denali and Zariah were willing to Take the Risk, are you?

Thankyou Bree for the opportunity to be an ARC reader for you! I’m a sucker for a hockey romance. But when you add slow burn, brothers best friend and forced proximity to the mix. I’m down hook line and sinker.!

Emily

78 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

⭐⭐⭐
Read this book for:
💜 Second Chance
🏒 College Romance
💜 Forced Proximity
🏒 Brother’s Best Friend
💜 No Third Break-up Act
🏒 Found Family

Synopsis
Five years ago, I gave my heart to my brother’s best friend and he shattered it. Denali was my first love, my worst heartbreak, and the boy I swore I’d never think about again.

Now he’s back. Not as the reckless teenager I remember but as the intimidating, disciplined hockey captain with NHL dreams and a reputation for emotional detachment. The kind of man who doesn’t do distractions. The kind who definitely doesn’t do relationships.

Except with me.

This time, Denali isn’t running. He’s writing love letters. Cooking breakfasts. Claiming me in front of his entire team and the world. He’s patient, intentional, and determined to prove that he’s no longer the boy who broke my heart.

And the scariest part? I’m starting to believe him.

My Thoughts
If you loved the story of King and Willow (Against the Rules), you’ll probably love this book too. Since I didn’t really like their book, it makes sense that I also didn’t love this one as much. There were elements I genuinely enjoyed, though, like the found family moments, which were such a nice touch, and especially Elijah and his storyline. I also loved the team dynamics with their shenanigans.

But the main reason this book didn’t fully work for me was Denali. As an MMC, I personally found him too toxic. He keeps saying he’s changed, and while I can see some of that change, he still felt like a huge red flag to me. The change didn’t feel complete or convincing enough for me to like him as an MMC.

Zariah also felt off to me compared to how she was in the other books. She always came across as bubbly, strong, and as a woman who knew exactly what she wanted. I understand that she and Denali have history, but I just couldn’t realistically imagine a woman like her choosing someone like him. Some of her behavior even started to feel toxic to me as well, which was disappointing because I really liked her character before.

I really wanted to love this one, especially after how much I loved Bear and June’s story. My expectations were high, and sadly, it just didn’t hit the same for me. That said, I’m still excited for the next book in the series, and I’m really curious who it will focus on. My guess is either Nick (with Tallulah??) or Elijah, and I’m definitely looking forward to that.

Seersh

92 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Netgalley

February 21, 2026

Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing Co-Op, and Bree Hayden for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I spotted this one and saw hockey romance and second chance,that’s enough to pull me in. Bree Hayden’s writing style is easy to follow and accessible.
However, the first half of the book felt quite slow to me. I struggled to fully get into it, and it took me a few days to read, whereas I’m usually glued to a romance and finish it in a couple of hours. I think the pacing could have been tighter in the beginning. It wasn’t until nearly halfway through that the story really picked up for my tastes.
I also personally don’t love dual timelines that go back and forth between past and present. I prefer learning the backstory through present-day conversations and character development rather than flashbacks. That’s just a personal preference, but it did impact my reading experience.
Denali and Zariah met at fifteen and had a summer romance that ended in a messy breakup. Five years later, they’re still carrying unresolved feelings and wounds from the past. When Zariah returns to university and discovers Denali is not only there but also her brother’s friend and teammate, it’s a huge shock for both of them. The emotional tension and chemistry between them are undeniable.
This is a complex, grey-area story. Denali was very toxic when he was younger, and the book explores whether people are capable of real, genuine change. Teenagers are young, emotional, and often make harmful decisions..but the hurt they cause is still valid. Some behaviours are deeply damaging, especially when they affect someone’s self-esteem and sense of worth.
What I appreciated most is how the story examines growth and accountability. Change doesn’t just happen with time, it requires real work, self-reflection, and boundary-setting. As the story progresses, Zariah begins to see how much Denali has worked on himself. She shows compassion and a willingness to listen, and it becomes clear she sees who he truly is beneath his past mistakes.
I do believe people can grow out of toxic behaviors if they genuinely put in the effort. With maturity, accountability, and personal growth, it is possible to build healthier, more secure relationships — not just romantically, but in friendships as well.
It is a good book, it did come across more YA romance to me personally.
3.8 stars

netgalley

Demi Snell

156 reviews10 followers

4 ⭐️
Tropes: dual POV, hockey romance, found family, second chance romance, forced proximity, collage romance, brothers best friend, soulmates

“It was a humbling realization. I’d never gotten over her. I’d been lying to myself for years.”

“I couldn’t acknowledge how I felt about her because that’d acknowledge a wound that refused to heal.”

“I was a ghost at the edge of his thoughts, a presence he couldn’t shake. It was bitter and long-lasting, infuriating and…romantic.”

Denali and Zariah had an all encompassing and all consuming relationship. Denali was for lack of a better word - INTENSE; they had a relationship that really blurred the lines between passion and love with obsession. In Denalis defense he did deal with a lot of trauma and Zariah provided a safe space for him, a home away from home and I think that’s why he held on to her and their relationship in unhealthy ways. They were both kids when they met and like most first loves they broke up only to come back into each others lives five years later.

“This wasn’t surface level. These weren’t sheets of floating ice in the ocean, the way I felt about Zariah was connected to an entire iceberg underneath us. It had history.”

Except now they came together with history, hurt and fear of repeating the heartbreak. But they both put in the work to make things work and they worked through the issues they had before by processing a lot of the unhealthy feelings and actions that were made the first time around.

“You’re my proof, you know that? Proof that there’s one right person for everyone, Because you’re mine.”

They balanced each other, supported one another and all though it was little much, even a little cringey and still super intense I loved them together.

“I can’t afford to mess this up. I won’t get another chance.”

They shared a love that was all encompassing but this time they both did everything they could to make things work…no secrets, no bullshit, because what they had was it.

“Your soul’s tangled with mine.”

This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed her writing and character development. She had great supportive characters that added so much depth to the overall story which I really liked.

Thank you to Bree Hayden for reaching out and sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Courtney

64 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

February 22, 2026

I had such incredibly high hopes for this book. And I’m still conflicted if this is the correct rating. Parts of this book I would have given 2 stars but then I was devouring the ending and wanted to give it 4 or 5 stars. This book was almost like getting whiplash. And I can’t tell if it was a good way or a bad way. I settled on a 3 star rating as a middle ground.
Let's start with the childhood drama. Yes this MMC is possessive and has a lot of crap he needed to work on but also he’s a 15 year old boy so maybe some time and growing up may help. Yes the FMC has lots of really difficult family stuff going on. But THE ADULTS! My god! Both families wanna blame the kids involved. They were 15 and where the hell were any of you. Oh right leaving them alone with a dying 60 something year old man. Great parenting there. This point also never gets brought up. Like the entire book! Someone please yell at these adults for me!
Okay onto the award for the most red flags at the beginning! Denali you poor little stalker man. There was something so redeemable about the way Denali was written. I know lots of people might find his character to be overly possessive and leaning into dark romance but gosh he always tried. Whether or not he changed himself or not I don’t care. This man became every green flag in the book. Continually took ownership of mistakes. Constantly gave her all the control and ability to make her own choices. Denali I will be honest was the main reason I kept reading.
Zariah. I wanted to like her so much I really did. But ugh everytime she kept getting better to then go back and say something hypocritical. I loved her girl boss attitude. She knew what she wanted and she refused to settle for less, what a queen. But girl you cannot keep going with the double standards.
I was hoping for a bit more family drama or at least seeing a bit more groveling for family approval near the end.
Overall this book had all the makings of an incredible book but it just didn’t hit perfectly for me. However I would 100000% recommend this book if you are into stalker redemption story vibes.

Emily

65 reviews1 follower

February 20, 2026

Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing Co-Op and Bree Hayden for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ok if there’s one thing about me, it’s that I am a simp for a hockey romance - I gobble them up like nobody’s business! Idk what it is about these hockey boys but 🤌 this is also a second chance romance, AND he has slutty little glasses? Please!

Zariah & Denali first met when they were 15 years old and fell head over heels in a whirlwind summer romance. Those selfish, horny teenage hormones coupled with some family trauma led to a messy, scarring breakup that they are both still trying to overcome 5 years later.

Coincidences abound and they find themselves at the same college, living in the same building. Tension builds, sparks fly, chemistry is bubbling and they both find themselves pitting their hearts against their brains for whether it’s worth taking a risk to find a second chance at happiness together.

This was a surprisingly emotionally complex story. Denali was a walking red flag when he was a teenager, and the novel explores whether people are capable of change, what maturity and healthy boundaries look like and what it really means to be strong and secure in yourself in a committed relationship.

I really loved Zariah’s compassion and understanding for who Denali is at his core and the work he had put in to manage his impulsive behaviours. Both of them were so unwavering in their acceptance of the other, their communication was amazing and you could really feel the love between them.

The first half of this book was a bit too slow for my tastes, and honestly I think it could have afforded to lose 100 pages or so and it would have been better for it. However, the back half made up for this and it wasn’t a huge issue - just personal preference!

The spice in this story was amazing, we love to see communicative, pathetically down bad men! It’s me, I’m we.

I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who enjoys sports romance (particularly hockey), second chance romance, the brother’s best friend trope and plenty of angst!

justcallme_linaa_

99 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Netgalley

*service presse (ARC NetGalley)*

Take the Risk de Bree Hayden
4,5/5⭐️

Je pense que ce livre ne plaira pas à tout le monde… mais moi, il m’a vraiment marquée !

Ce n’est clairement pas une petite romance hockey légère. C’est intense, chargé émotionnellement, parfois dérangeant. Denali à 15 ans ? énorme red flag. Il est possessif, immature, blessé, et certaines de ses actions font mal. Mais ce que j’ai trouvé intéressant, c’est que l’autrice ne romantise pas ça.

On voit les conséquences. On voit les blessures. Et surtout, on voit le travail.

Le Denali adulte essaie vraiment d’être différent. Il prend ses responsabilités, il écoute, il respecte les limites de Zariah. Il ne force pas. Il ne minimise pas le passé. Son évolution est imparfaite, mais elle est intentionnelle.

Zariah m’a beaucoup touchée aussi. Elle pose ses boundaries, elle communique, elle ne se laisse pas manipuler par la nostalgie. Elle veut des preuves, pas des paroles. Et j’ai adoré ça.

J’ai aussi beaucoup aimé la found family et l’équipe de hockey : ça apporte de la légèreté au milieu de toute cette intensité. Par contre, le début était un peu long pour moi et il faut aimer les romances un peu “grey”, pas totalement noires mais pas totalement saines non plus.

Now in English 🤍

This is NOT a fluffy college hockey romance. It’s emotional, heavy, and full of tension.

Denali as a teenager was toxic. That’s a fact. But the story focuses on growth and accountability. As an adult, he tries to be better. He listens. He respects her limits. He accepts when he is wrong. I liked that his change was not perfect or instant. It felt real.

Zariah is strong and careful. She doesn’t trust him easily, and that makes sense. Their relationship is slow burn, full of angst and unresolved feelings. The chemistry is intense, but the emotional conversations are what really stood out to me.

The first half was a bit slow, but the second half completely pulled me in. The tension, the love letters, the vulnerability… I was invested.

With all my love,
Ur Lina 🏒

netgalley

Tanya

63 reviews16 followers

February 26, 2026

⭐️ 3.5 stars
As a hockey romance lover (and a huge second-chance trope fan), I went into this one ready to fall hard. And while I did end up enjoying it, it definitely took me some time to get there.
I’m not going to lie — the first part of this book had me seriously questioning whether I could ever root for Denali. Their teenage relationship was intense in a way that felt unhealthy and codependent, and his behavior at her grandfather’s funeral? Major red flag energy. I struggled.
What I did appreciate was that the story didn’t ignore that past. Zariah holds him accountable. She makes him confront the damage he caused, and I respected that so much. It also mattered to me that his presence back in her life was genuinely coincidental — I was very relieved this didn’t veer into anything obsessive or stalker-adjacent.
As the story progressed, Denali’s growth felt gradual rather than magically transformative. He doesn’t become a completely different person overnight (which wouldn’t have been realistic), but he does learn. He listens. He works on controlling his possessiveness and channels those feelings in a healthier way. And I really appreciated the communication between them in the second half.
The collegiate setting and hockey backdrop were such strong elements for me — that atmosphere always pulls me in. I also loved the side characters, especially Elliot (even when he was frustrating) and Denali’s teammates. I liked that Zariah called out Denali when needed — including how he treated Montoya — and that he was willing to admit when he was wrong and do better. Growth > perfection.
Overall, I wanted to love this one more than I did. I liked it, I appreciated the character development, and I enjoyed seeing them find their way back to each other — but it wasn’t an instant favorite for me.
Still, if you love:
• second-chance romance
• flawed heroes who have to earn redemption
• college hockey settings
• emotional growth arcs
this one might really work for you.

Shannon

19 reviews

There’s something quietly compelling about a book that doesn’t fully sweep you away, but still leaves fingerprints on you.

Take the Risk by Bree Hayden sat in that space for me.
I didn’t love it. Not in the breathless, can’t-put-it-down, cancel-my-evening kind of way. The pacing occasionally wobbled, and there were moments where I found myself wanting the emotional tension to tighten just a little more. But—and this matters—the character development here is doing real work.

Hayden gives us two people who feel lived-in rather than simply written. Denali and Zariah begin the story guarded in ways that make sense for their history, not just for plot convenience. What I appreciated most was the restraint in how their growth unfolded. This wasn’t an overnight softening. It was incremental, sometimes frustrating, often tender. The kind of progress that feels recognisably human.

Second-chance romance can sometimes lean on nostalgia as a shortcut. Here, I felt the author was more interested in accountability and evolution. Both characters had to confront who they were then versus who they’re trying to become now. That maturity—particularly in how boundaries were handled—was the strongest thread running through the book for me.

The chemistry is present, and the emotional beats do land in places, but I occasionally wanted the narrative to trust its own depth a bit more and sit longer in the tension it was building. There’s a very good story here; at times it just felt slightly smoothed over where I was craving more texture.

Still, I finished it thoughtful rather than indifferent—and that counts.

If you’re drawn to second-chance romances where the real focus is on how people grow up, grow wiser, and (sometimes reluctantly) grow toward each other, this one will likely resonate. Even without fully falling in love with the book, I found myself genuinely invested in who these two were becoming.

And honestly? Character work that makes you pause and pay attention is never wasted reading time.

I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Olivia Taylor

5 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

February 20, 2026

ARC Review (Thank you for my first one ever!)
Take the Risk by Bree Hayden
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tropes:
🏒Sports Romance (Hockey)
💕Second Chance (They were each others first everything)
🏒Slow Burn
💕Brother’s Best Friend
🏒Found Family
💕No Third-Act Breakup
🏒Spicy
My Thoughts:
A slow-burn romance definitely, but it was a slow-burn that was needed. Of course, when things started moving faster I was beyond excited, but Zariah and Denali both needed that time to reintroduced themselves to each other. The thing about their second chances was that they were now more mature and not fifteen-year-olds in love for the first time and this allowed them to truly move past everything.

Denali needed to prove that he would respect Zariah’s boundaries, a thing he did not do in the past. Zariah needed to put those boundaries in place so that, making sure she got a say in their relationship.

They started their relationship slow, from making breakfast to these adorable letters that they wrote back and forth, Zariah and Denali fell in love again (though our MMC was always there). Their relationship came out better and stronger and I like how both of them did not care what anyone else had to say. What worked for them, worked for them and they always had such great communication, neither wanting to lose the other again. Denali was a dorky, but sweet MMC and Zariah was such a strong and independent FMC that you could not help but be in love with how she manages to not only get Denali to see the error of his past ways, but also still offer her support and love.

One of my favorite parts was the hockey team aspect and how each guy on the team knew that our couple was gone for each other. They might joke around, but they are a team who finally started playing well together (of course Zariah was their good luck charm though).

If you like Sports Romance, take the risk and read this!

Sia

31 reviews10 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author