Petty Hearts: An Enemies to Lovers College Hockey Romance

by Ashley Thorne

Genres: Hockey Romance

151 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 26, 2026

Reviews

[Amy M · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who argues as my love language, this book was written for me. This story may as well have come straight from my group chat because everything was so relatable. Arguing is absolutely foreplay and I think this might be the first book I have ever read that portrayed it accurately. Getting kicked out of the arcade and mini golf on their first few dates made me laugh because I recently had the argument about the difference between a rebound and a deflection for the same reason as the MCs. I loved that both Emma and Scott were absolutely furious about realizing their emotions because, again, relatable.

The characters were great, the pacing was perfect, and I loved everything about the group chat.

[Barbie Laganiere godfrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just so much fun, just an amazing love story.

Scott and Emma had me smiling and laughing the entire time. Their banter was hilarious , and I loved that they had been “enemies” since they were five years old. “Google eye for the win”. Watching them slowly realize that all those years of arguing and trying to one-up each other had turned into something more was both hilarious and really sweet.

My favorite scene was the frat party kiss. The way all of their friends immediately started cheering because they had clearly been waiting for those two to figure it out made me laugh so hard.

Emma’s investigation notes as she convinced herself Scott was planning another prank were absolutely hilarious, and I lost it when everyone had an S&E Damage Control group chat because they all knew these two were hopeless before Scott and Emma did.

This was the perfect mix of humor, chemistry, and heart. It’s a light, feel-good rom-com with an enemies-to-lovers romance that never takes itself too seriously but still gives you all the butterflies.

If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh, leave you grinning, and have you rooting for two stubborn people to finally get together, definitely pick this one up. And if you love hockey romances, that’s just an added bonus.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this romance between Scott and Emma so much and love the rivalry between them and the pranks they played each through out the years and there families are friends and I love the bickering and the pranks they played on each other and I couldn’t stop laughing and love their friends group and the group chat and love the heigh difference get them and this is closed door, hockey romance and I love the banter between them and loved that Emma learned hockey and loved that in the past Emma would bring a book to the hockey games. Scott and Emma are easily jealousy and territorial and loved the sweet moments between them in the book and loved the ending with Scott being drafted into the bruins and Emma going to Boston as well but for a firm in engineering and love that they have a past since kindergarten and love that Emma helps Scott play really well and wins games.

Closed door
Hockey romance
College romance
Under 80 pages
Read as an ebook
Hilarious
Pranks
Enemies to lovers romance
Novella

[Silvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this short little novella! Our main characters were hilarious, and the banter between them was to die for. You could feel the tension coming off every single page, and I was hooked from the very beginning. One of my favorite things was that even as they started dating, their competitive sides never disappeared. It made every interaction so much more entertaining. Their chemistry was incredible, and I was smiling and laughing so many times because of how well they played off each other.
This was such a fun, quick read that still managed to make me completely invested in the characters. If you’re looking for a novella with amazing banter, great chemistry, and plenty of laughs, this is it.

[Briana Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rate: 5/5⭐️
Spice: 0/5🌶️

What to expect when reading ;
-Hockey Romance
-Enemies x Lovers
-Closed Door


In this book you get to follow Emma and Scott! They have been enemies for as long as they can remember. Prank after prank they thrived off of the war between the two of them. This book so fun and stinkin cute!!! I kinda wish this was a full length book because I loved these two characters so much, and honestly the side characters helped make this book.

Side Note;
-for investigation lol

Favorite line:
•”I don’t have a scheming look”

#review #bookstagram #books #booklover

[Verity Thornhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this novella ❤️

I really enjoyed this novella from Ashley Thorne.

It included one of my favourite tropes - enemies to lovers.

Emma and Scott have been enemies since they first started school together and he's been playing pranks on her ever since.

But they are at college together now and for Scott at least, things have started to change - however much he tries to fight his feelings.

Looking forward to reading more from this series.

[Sietske · Rating 3 out of 5]

It hit quite right this book. Not to say arguing is my thing, but the story was cute. Especially 'cause the main characters were clueless and all their friends and family knew what was really going on. I loved that.
What I didn't love however, is that when Scott picks up Emma, her legs dangle - as described. When I picture it, it isn't cute lol. So yeah, had a hard time with that, but the rest was good and cute and nice and loved the friends (and their groupchat).

[bianca.k · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars ⭐️

before you read this story expect this:

enemies to lovers❤️

hockey romance🏒

0.5/5 spice ( closed door romance ❤️‍🔥)

I usually do NOT read romance books but this novella was very well written and genuinely not hard to get into💋

the ONLY problem I had with the story was that the mmc started feeling attraction towards the fmc from the like second page I would’ve expected more enemies type energy in the beginning but or else I live the writing style and the plot❤️

[mango · Rating 4 out of 5]

*This is an ARC review*

Emma and Scott have been enemies since forever, pranking each other in very elaborate ways (like googly eyes) but suddently they start noticing things about each other that they haven’t before. What could it possibly mean👀

This was very cute enemies-to-lovers story with a lot of humour. Emma and Scott are adorable trying to figure out their own feelings and I absolutely loved Jess.

Very fun lighthearted read!

[Tina Sanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet

The story is very well written. Children who are always together and always trying to do each other. Stays that way all thru high school into college. Finally they figure out that it all just a game they don't really hate each other its all been foreplay toward a happy ending. Hockey, school. Friends, Always being the best At whatever you try,

[Jas's booktok · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review...
This is the first time reading from this author. I will be honest i normally dont read books in 3rd person but i did read this. It was a cute enemies to lovers, college romance. He falls 1st but she falls harder. Im glad i read this. I did enjoy.

[Lorraine Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this short novella.
If arguing is your love language, you’ll love this cute quick read.
Love the witty banter and the back and forth between Emma and Scott and how the penny drops for them both.
If you’re looking for a hockey romance that doesn’t start that way, this is for you

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scott and Emma are childhood nemeses, but their friends know what’s up…

This was crazy and chaotic and very cute.
I’m not quite sure that it truly reads as a college romance, but I enjoyed it. It’s a wonderful story if you just want to switch off, escape and just be entertained.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review: This was a cute love story of two people that don’t recognize their big feelings for what they are. The interactions at the beginning of the book were a little juvenile for my taste but as the book progressed I was on board. It was an enjoyable quick read!

[Alessa Auger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Je l’ai lu en une soirée! très bon!!

[Ashanti Singh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is how you do insta love!
Cute little novel with great chemistry.

[Kathleen | katiereadsandrambles]

Whomp whomp

[Kate Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing😍💖

I loved it! Nothing bad to say about this novella😂💖 It's cute, funny, and feels like home💖 I hope someday I'll have a love like that🫠😮‍💨🥺😘💖

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this little novella!
It was cute & comical.
Loved how there was always something between them but they never really noticed but everyone else did.
Would definitely recommend.

[Katie_thebookslayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars - What’s the difference between love and hate? As it turns out, it’s a little black dress, an investigation into a brewing prank and a coincidental find in a thrift store that happens to have the hockey captain’s number on it.

Emma and Scott have been rivals since kindergarten, pranks and schemes and arguments have been the foundation of their twenty one years… some of them very petty, some funny and some frustrating.

If your love language is arguing, you’ll love this novella. For me, I hate arguing, but I enjoyed the petty funny behaviour and was determined to see how this worked out for them.