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Ivywood #1
Between the Pages and the Rink
If loving one hockey player is reckless . . . loving two is irresistible.
After enough heartache to last a lifetime, I made a rule:
No men.
No hookups.
No distractions.
Then I walked into the Ivywood Wolves’ ice rink.
Dylan Crawley is the golden-boy captain — cocky grin, effortless charisma, and used to winning on, and off, the ice.
Torin Anderson is the grumpy enforcer — dark eyes, rough edges. The kind of man who doesn’t smile . . . but makes you feel everything.
One is all swagger.
One is all silence.
Both are completely off-limits.
Until the night they step in to protect me — like it’s instinct. Like I’m already theirs.
Dylan makes me laugh.
Torin makes me burn.
And when they decide they’re not competing . . . but sharing?
The rules shatter.
Now I’m caught between two possessive hockey gods who don’t play fair — and don’t plan on letting me go.
Maybe I should choose.
Maybe I can’t.
Maybe I don’t want to.
A steamy, small-town, why choose, hockey romance featuring a grumpy enforcer, a cocky captain, a heroine with PCOS, found family, and possessive heroes who fall hard. Perfect for fans of Emily Rath, Lily Gold, Grace McGinty, Elle Kennedy and Rachel Reid.
After enough heartache to last a lifetime, I made a rule:
No men.
No hookups.
No distractions.
Then I walked into the Ivywood Wolves’ ice rink.
Dylan Crawley is the golden-boy captain — cocky grin, effortless charisma, and used to winning on, and off, the ice.
Torin Anderson is the grumpy enforcer — dark eyes, rough edges. The kind of man who doesn’t smile . . . but makes you feel everything.
One is all swagger.
One is all silence.
Both are completely off-limits.
Until the night they step in to protect me — like it’s instinct. Like I’m already theirs.
Dylan makes me laugh.
Torin makes me burn.
And when they decide they’re not competing . . . but sharing?
The rules shatter.
Now I’m caught between two possessive hockey gods who don’t play fair — and don’t plan on letting me go.
Maybe I should choose.
Maybe I can’t.
Maybe I don’t want to.
A steamy, small-town, why choose, hockey romance featuring a grumpy enforcer, a cocky captain, a heroine with PCOS, found family, and possessive heroes who fall hard. Perfect for fans of Emily Rath, Lily Gold, Grace McGinty, Elle Kennedy and Rachel Reid.
466 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2026
71 people are currently reading
252 people want to read
About the author
Meadow Thompson
2 books27 followersMeadow Thompson is an English author who writes adult contemporary romance, living in the west of England in the countryside. When she's not caring for a hedgehog or walking her two dogs, she's happily writing swoon-worthy men.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
April 2, 2026
| ARC REVIEW | ★★★★☆
Tropes/Themes
ᡣ𐭩 Why choose (MFM)
ᡣ𐭩 Ice Hockey Players x Author
ᡣ𐭩 Friends to lovers
ᡣ𐭩 Protective MMCs
ᡣ𐭩 PCOS representation
ᡣ𐭩 ADHD representation
Trigger Warnings
ᡣ𐭩 Explicit sexual content
ᡣ𐭩 Bereavement (loss of parents)
ᡣ𐭩 Dementia
ᡣ𐭩 Body dysmorphia/insecurities
ᡣ𐭩 Mental health struggles (inc. suicidal ideation)
My Thoughts
To say that this book is right up my alley would be an understatement! I am OBSESSED with ice hockey and regularly watch my local team, so when I discovered that this book was about a romance between two hockey player MMCs and a book-loving, author FMC, I was already sold on the idea. But then I also discovered the PCOS representation! I stumbled across this book while I myself was in the middle of the diagnostic process for PCOS. I have never read a romance where the FMC has this condition, so it's safe to say that I was overjoyed to see some representation.
I loved the author's writing style. It was fun and engaging, fast-paced, and brimming with banter. The spicy scenes were SPICY! I honestly don't think I've read sex scenes this well-written in a looong time. In regard to the characters, it was clear that a lot of time and effort went into forming them, with great detail given to sculpting their pasts and personalities.
Smart, sassy, and sweet without being sappy, I thought Fawn Higgins was such a wonderful FMC. I found her easy to relate to and also really sympathised with her. Despite having her own personal issues, she was still selfless enough to deeply care for those around her in any way she could which made her so easily likeable.
The cocky team captain Dylan Crawley was the epitome of "golden retriever". His energetic (if not a little chaotic) vibe was quite frankly adorable. Plus, I loved the ADHD representation and how it was written in such a balanced way, ensuring the realities of it were encompassed in a true to life fashion without making it his entire personality or taking away from other aspects of his character.
I cannot lie, Torin Anderson is the exact kind of MMC I love in a romance book! Mysterious, brooding, and stand-offish but secretly a caring and protective sweetheart. I adored everything about him and I felt that his reserved and grumpy nature perfectly balanced Dylan's charismatic, "100 mile an hour" personality, making for a perfectly harmonious dynamic. I also thought the nod to speaking up about men's mental health was done in very good taste and that it effectively showed Torin's more vulnerable side.
Yes, the relationship between the trio moved incredibly fast, but it totally worked and didn't feel rushed in the slightest.
Sticking with the theme of sensitive subjects, the scenes featuring Fawn's grandfather and Dylan's mum were devastatingly emotional, bittersweet and so beautifully written. My own grandfather had dementia so I feel that I am equipped to give this following praise: Meadow Thompson wrote about the realities of loving a relative with dementia in such a raw, truthful and poignant way, with several of Dylan and Fawn's thoughts and feelings surrounding their relatives' condition hitting the nail straight on the head for what it's like to love someone who doesn't remember you. I was taken aback by how tenderly and sensitively this topic was handled.
Overall
This book touched on so many important themes and provided representation for topics that, in my opinion, are massively underrepresented in the romance genre (and across literature in general). The banter throughout the story was fun and often made me laugh out loud, and the plot was fast-paced but still brimming with detail — All of which made for a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging read. And when you consider that this is the author's DEBUT NOVEL, the standard of writing is even more impressive!
Receiving this arc came at the perfect time for me and I absolutely loved it.
Thank you to Meadow Thompson, Luna Literary Management, and Choc-Lit for gifting this eBook in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All opinions are my own.
Tropes/Themes
ᡣ𐭩 Why choose (MFM)
ᡣ𐭩 Ice Hockey Players x Author
ᡣ𐭩 Friends to lovers
ᡣ𐭩 Protective MMCs
ᡣ𐭩 PCOS representation
ᡣ𐭩 ADHD representation
Trigger Warnings
ᡣ𐭩 Explicit sexual content
ᡣ𐭩 Bereavement (loss of parents)
ᡣ𐭩 Dementia
ᡣ𐭩 Body dysmorphia/insecurities
ᡣ𐭩 Mental health struggles (inc. suicidal ideation)
My Thoughts
To say that this book is right up my alley would be an understatement! I am OBSESSED with ice hockey and regularly watch my local team, so when I discovered that this book was about a romance between two hockey player MMCs and a book-loving, author FMC, I was already sold on the idea. But then I also discovered the PCOS representation! I stumbled across this book while I myself was in the middle of the diagnostic process for PCOS. I have never read a romance where the FMC has this condition, so it's safe to say that I was overjoyed to see some representation.
I loved the author's writing style. It was fun and engaging, fast-paced, and brimming with banter. The spicy scenes were SPICY! I honestly don't think I've read sex scenes this well-written in a looong time. In regard to the characters, it was clear that a lot of time and effort went into forming them, with great detail given to sculpting their pasts and personalities.
Smart, sassy, and sweet without being sappy, I thought Fawn Higgins was such a wonderful FMC. I found her easy to relate to and also really sympathised with her. Despite having her own personal issues, she was still selfless enough to deeply care for those around her in any way she could which made her so easily likeable.
The cocky team captain Dylan Crawley was the epitome of "golden retriever". His energetic (if not a little chaotic) vibe was quite frankly adorable. Plus, I loved the ADHD representation and how it was written in such a balanced way, ensuring the realities of it were encompassed in a true to life fashion without making it his entire personality or taking away from other aspects of his character.
I cannot lie, Torin Anderson is the exact kind of MMC I love in a romance book! Mysterious, brooding, and stand-offish but secretly a caring and protective sweetheart. I adored everything about him and I felt that his reserved and grumpy nature perfectly balanced Dylan's charismatic, "100 mile an hour" personality, making for a perfectly harmonious dynamic. I also thought the nod to speaking up about men's mental health was done in very good taste and that it effectively showed Torin's more vulnerable side.
Yes, the relationship between the trio moved incredibly fast, but it totally worked and didn't feel rushed in the slightest.
Sticking with the theme of sensitive subjects, the scenes featuring Fawn's grandfather and Dylan's mum were devastatingly emotional, bittersweet and so beautifully written. My own grandfather had dementia so I feel that I am equipped to give this following praise: Meadow Thompson wrote about the realities of loving a relative with dementia in such a raw, truthful and poignant way, with several of Dylan and Fawn's thoughts and feelings surrounding their relatives' condition hitting the nail straight on the head for what it's like to love someone who doesn't remember you. I was taken aback by how tenderly and sensitively this topic was handled.
Overall
This book touched on so many important themes and provided representation for topics that, in my opinion, are massively underrepresented in the romance genre (and across literature in general). The banter throughout the story was fun and often made me laugh out loud, and the plot was fast-paced but still brimming with detail — All of which made for a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging read. And when you consider that this is the author's DEBUT NOVEL, the standard of writing is even more impressive!
Receiving this arc came at the perfect time for me and I absolutely loved it.
Thank you to Meadow Thompson, Luna Literary Management, and Choc-Lit for gifting this eBook in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Imagine if you knew nothing about hockey and then walking into the rink to see them doing their warm ups…. This still has me cackling. Fawn you sweet innocent soul, she didn’t know what she signed up for.
This book made me laugh, blush, call my partner over for assistance and then made cry, so truly a well rounded book. And the part about the ADHD meds making Dylan be not at full volume was the best way I’ve ever seen it described.
I was not prepared for how spicy the scenes got… a masterpiece. I won’t spoil anything but… be ready! There’s no slow burn to be found. Dylan also threw me for a loop, he has such golden retriever energy! So when he just dominates… it’s so good.
And then, for the gut wrenching parts you have Fawns Grandad and Dylan’s mom with dementia. And Toren’s past, that broke me. No spoilers because his story line is very important in the moment of reading.
Favorite line: “We want all of you, princess. The girl who blushes, the goddess who screams, the woman in between. We want the mornings and the nights, every filthy, perfect moment.”
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Length: 553 Pages
Why Choose
MFM
Small Town
Hockey MMCs x Author FMC
Instant Attraction
ADHD Rep
PTSD Rep
PCOS Rep
Thank you to Joffe Books, and author Meadow Thompson, for providing me with the eARC of “Between the Pages and the Rink”.
This book made me laugh, blush, call my partner over for assistance and then made cry, so truly a well rounded book. And the part about the ADHD meds making Dylan be not at full volume was the best way I’ve ever seen it described.
I was not prepared for how spicy the scenes got… a masterpiece. I won’t spoil anything but… be ready! There’s no slow burn to be found. Dylan also threw me for a loop, he has such golden retriever energy! So when he just dominates… it’s so good.
And then, for the gut wrenching parts you have Fawns Grandad and Dylan’s mom with dementia. And Toren’s past, that broke me. No spoilers because his story line is very important in the moment of reading.
Favorite line: “We want all of you, princess. The girl who blushes, the goddess who screams, the woman in between. We want the mornings and the nights, every filthy, perfect moment.”
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Length: 553 Pages
Why Choose
MFM
Small Town
Hockey MMCs x Author FMC
Instant Attraction
ADHD Rep
PTSD Rep
PCOS Rep
Thank you to Joffe Books, and author Meadow Thompson, for providing me with the eARC of “Between the Pages and the Rink”.
April 9, 2026
HOLY CANNOLI!
Thank you to Meadow Thompson, and Luna Literary for this e-arc. All the warnings and the tropes made me want to read this book and it did not disappoint. I laughed, I cried... multiple times and I was hot and bothered! This book is SPICY! in all the right ways. Meadow, I cannot believe this is your debut ! I couldn't put it down. It is so well written; every character well thought out. The point of views of the men and our leading lady, they fit so naturally. Having loved someone with dementia, but from afar because I lived so far and having lost them, this book hit me so hard. It was 1:45 in the morning and I was sobbing and sniffling and just making a wreck out of my shirt because I wasn't expecting the big heavy tears that came. You nailed these emotions, the feelings from every angle. With Dylan, and most importantly with Fawns first time with these gentle giants. Literally sobbing. Torin's past hit me like a freight train as well. This surprised me in all the best ways, it is so much more than just another hockey romance. I really enjoyed this book so much. I don't love showing my own emotions but this got me to a place where I was okay with it. The tears were warranted. I could tell this was written with heart, and there was just so much layered depth to it.
Mind the warnings, and enjoy the show.
Some favorite quotes:
"We all just... get each other. So we don't ignore it. Whatever this is... we don't run from it."
"You don't have to hide anymore.", "Every piece of you is worthy and beautiful. Even the parts someone else made you hate."
"I've got you", "She's ours now" (I was sobbing!)
Tropes, etc:
Why Choose
Ice Hockey Players x Writer
Small Town
Slow Burn, but when it hits - IT HITS!
Protective MMCs
PCOS Rep
ADHD Rep
PTSD Rep
Friends to Lovers
Golden Retriever x Grumpy Mysterious MMCs
Aftercare Kings
Thank you to Meadow Thompson, and Luna Literary for this e-arc. All the warnings and the tropes made me want to read this book and it did not disappoint. I laughed, I cried... multiple times and I was hot and bothered! This book is SPICY! in all the right ways. Meadow, I cannot believe this is your debut ! I couldn't put it down. It is so well written; every character well thought out. The point of views of the men and our leading lady, they fit so naturally. Having loved someone with dementia, but from afar because I lived so far and having lost them, this book hit me so hard. It was 1:45 in the morning and I was sobbing and sniffling and just making a wreck out of my shirt because I wasn't expecting the big heavy tears that came. You nailed these emotions, the feelings from every angle. With Dylan, and most importantly with Fawns first time with these gentle giants. Literally sobbing. Torin's past hit me like a freight train as well. This surprised me in all the best ways, it is so much more than just another hockey romance. I really enjoyed this book so much. I don't love showing my own emotions but this got me to a place where I was okay with it. The tears were warranted. I could tell this was written with heart, and there was just so much layered depth to it.
Mind the warnings, and enjoy the show.
Some favorite quotes:
"We all just... get each other. So we don't ignore it. Whatever this is... we don't run from it."
"You don't have to hide anymore.", "Every piece of you is worthy and beautiful. Even the parts someone else made you hate."
"I've got you", "She's ours now" (I was sobbing!)
Tropes, etc:
Why Choose
Ice Hockey Players x Writer
Small Town
Slow Burn, but when it hits - IT HITS!
Protective MMCs
PCOS Rep
ADHD Rep
PTSD Rep
Friends to Lovers
Golden Retriever x Grumpy Mysterious MMCs
Aftercare Kings
April 4, 2026
This book was excellent. The story was good and the concept was strong. It was an absolute pleasure to read this.
The cover is nice. It's an image of a beautiful lake. This actually means something in the book which was really nice. I thought it was cleverly done.
The writing is excellent and the story flowed beautifully. The book is written in first person and is from multiple POVs - Fawn, Dylan and Torin. Why Choose isn't normally a trope that I would normally go for because past examples have given me the ick. Meadow did a brilliant job with this and she wrote the trope in the sweetest way possible.
The book is set in the fictional New England town of Ivywood. This worked well and Meadow's building of the setting is lovely.
The characters were all excellent. They fit so well into the story. I loved Fawn, Dylan and Torin. Their relationship was pretty special and I love how they interacted. It was too hard to pick a favourite between Torin and Dylan! They were both the sweetest in their own ways. On this occasion why choose? Both of them are book boyfriend material!!!
I definitely recommend this and I cannot wait for the next visit to Ivywood!
The cover is nice. It's an image of a beautiful lake. This actually means something in the book which was really nice. I thought it was cleverly done.
The writing is excellent and the story flowed beautifully. The book is written in first person and is from multiple POVs - Fawn, Dylan and Torin. Why Choose isn't normally a trope that I would normally go for because past examples have given me the ick. Meadow did a brilliant job with this and she wrote the trope in the sweetest way possible.
The book is set in the fictional New England town of Ivywood. This worked well and Meadow's building of the setting is lovely.
The characters were all excellent. They fit so well into the story. I loved Fawn, Dylan and Torin. Their relationship was pretty special and I love how they interacted. It was too hard to pick a favourite between Torin and Dylan! They were both the sweetest in their own ways. On this occasion why choose? Both of them are book boyfriend material!!!
I definitely recommend this and I cannot wait for the next visit to Ivywood!
March 31, 2026
I absolutely love everything about this book! Being one of Meadow's beta readers what such a joy and being able to see how gorgeous this book turned out, especially being there since day one has been one of my highlights for the last year!
Meadow's writing has made this such a fun, engaging read and I couldn't put this down. The characters were well thought out, the storyline had me laughing one minute and crying the next. There are some lovely moments throughout that I can't stop thinking about and made me love the characters even more! I'd highly recommend this to anyone and everyone 💜
Meadow's writing has made this such a fun, engaging read and I couldn't put this down. The characters were well thought out, the storyline had me laughing one minute and crying the next. There are some lovely moments throughout that I can't stop thinking about and made me love the characters even more! I'd highly recommend this to anyone and everyone 💜
March 11, 2026
This book had a lot of potential and was an okay read for me, but the relationships between the characters moved far too quickly to feel realistic.
Fawn, who knows nothing about hockey, decides to write a book about it because hockey romance is so popular. To do research, she goes to a rink where she meets hockey players Dylan and Torin. She’s immediately attracted to both of them, and they’re just as quickly drawn to her.
After hanging out once and getting drunk together, they end up back at the guys’ place. Dylan and Torin take care of a very drunk Fawn, and during that time they realize they’re both attracted to her. Not long after, the three of them go on a date together and suddenly they’re all in a relationship. The guys basically just ask each other, “Are you okay with it?” - “Yeah” - and that’s it.
For me, everything just happened too fast. After only two weeks they’re already talking about being together forever. I would have loved more of a slow-burn development. It would have felt more believable if the guys had some doubts or if the relationship had taken more time to build, instead of everyone immediately being completely fine with it.
Overall, it was still an enjoyable read, but I think the story would have benefited from a slower, more developed relationship between the characters.
Fawn, who knows nothing about hockey, decides to write a book about it because hockey romance is so popular. To do research, she goes to a rink where she meets hockey players Dylan and Torin. She’s immediately attracted to both of them, and they’re just as quickly drawn to her.
After hanging out once and getting drunk together, they end up back at the guys’ place. Dylan and Torin take care of a very drunk Fawn, and during that time they realize they’re both attracted to her. Not long after, the three of them go on a date together and suddenly they’re all in a relationship. The guys basically just ask each other, “Are you okay with it?” - “Yeah” - and that’s it.
For me, everything just happened too fast. After only two weeks they’re already talking about being together forever. I would have loved more of a slow-burn development. It would have felt more believable if the guys had some doubts or if the relationship had taken more time to build, instead of everyone immediately being completely fine with it.
Overall, it was still an enjoyable read, but I think the story would have benefited from a slower, more developed relationship between the characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2026
A steamy why choose sports romance but a great storyline too, I loved these characters straight off, relatable and depths to be discovered.
The way the story unfolded kept me gripped from start to finish, a chunky read but with different POV and far more emotion that I expected it didn’t feel like a big book.
I loved the backstories they were emotional and really well written it was easy to fall in love with this read.
A fantastic romance and brilliant read too, I blushed, I cried and I laughed too.
The way the story unfolded kept me gripped from start to finish, a chunky read but with different POV and far more emotion that I expected it didn’t feel like a big book.
I loved the backstories they were emotional and really well written it was easy to fall in love with this read.
A fantastic romance and brilliant read too, I blushed, I cried and I laughed too.
April 7, 2026
After a painful past, Fawn swears off relationships and distractions. But everything changes when she finds herself drawn into the world of the Ivywood Wolves hockey team. There, she meets two very different men: Dylan, the charming and confident captain, and Torin, the quiet and intense enforcer.
Despite trying to keep her distance, she becomes entangled with both of them after they step in to protect her. As her connection with each man deepens, one bringing light and laughter, the other passion and intensity, the situation becomes impossible to ignore.
When Dylan and Torin decide not to compete for her, but to both be with her, all the rules Fawn had set for herself begin to fall apart. Caught between them, she must face her feelings and figure out what she truly wants, if she even wants to choose at all.
This book offers more than just spicy scenes. Fawn, the FMC, has PCOS, Dylan has ADHD, and Torin carries PTSD from his past as a soldier and other trauma that happened in his past.
I didn’t love how quickly the relationship between the three of them developed, I was hoping to see it grow more slowly. However, I really appreciated how protective and supportive Dylan and Torin were toward Fawn, and how she gradually rebuilt her confidence after a toxic relationship.
The spicy scenes were very spicy!!! I might need a hockey player in my life… or maybe two 😏
A huge thanks to Luna Literary Management and Meadow Thompson for the ARC and the opportunity to read this book in advance in exchange for an honest review.
🇮🇹:
Dopo un passato doloroso, Fawn decide di rinunciare alle relazioni e a qualsiasi distrazione. Ma tutto cambia quando si ritrova coinvolta nel mondo della squadra di hockey degli Ivywood Wolves. Qui incontra due uomini molto diversi: Dylan, il capitano affascinante e sicuro di sé, e Torin, silenzioso e intenso.
Nonostante cerchi di mantenere le distanze, finisce per legarsi a entrambi dopo che intervengono per proteggerla. Man mano che il rapporto con ciascuno di loro si approfondisce, uno le porta leggerezza e sorrisi, l’altro passione e intensità, la situazione diventa impossibile da ignorare.
Quando Dylan e Torin decidono di non competere per lei, ma di stare entrambi con lei, tutte le regole che Fawn si era imposta crollano. Divisa tra loro, dovrà affrontare i suoi sentimenti e capire cosa desidera davvero, se vuole davvero scegliere.
Questo libro offre molto più di semplici scene spicy. Fawn, la protagonista, ha PCOS, Dylan ha l’ADHD e Torin porta con sé un PTSD legato al suo passato da soldato e altre cose che ha passato.
Non ho amato quanto velocemente si sia sviluppata la relazione tra loro tre, avrei preferito vederla crescere più lentamente. Tuttavia, ho apprezzato molto quanto Dylan e Torin siano stati protettivi e di supporto nei confronti di Fawn, e come lei grazie a loro pian piano a ritrova fiducia in sé stessa dopo una relazione tossica.
Le scene spicy sono davvero… molto spicy!!! Ho bisogno di un giocatore di hockey nella mia vita… o forse due 😏
Un enorme grazie a Luna Literary Management e Meadow Thompson per l’ARC e per l’opportunità di leggere il libro in anteprima in cambio di una recensione onesta.
Despite trying to keep her distance, she becomes entangled with both of them after they step in to protect her. As her connection with each man deepens, one bringing light and laughter, the other passion and intensity, the situation becomes impossible to ignore.
When Dylan and Torin decide not to compete for her, but to both be with her, all the rules Fawn had set for herself begin to fall apart. Caught between them, she must face her feelings and figure out what she truly wants, if she even wants to choose at all.
This book offers more than just spicy scenes. Fawn, the FMC, has PCOS, Dylan has ADHD, and Torin carries PTSD from his past as a soldier and other trauma that happened in his past.
I didn’t love how quickly the relationship between the three of them developed, I was hoping to see it grow more slowly. However, I really appreciated how protective and supportive Dylan and Torin were toward Fawn, and how she gradually rebuilt her confidence after a toxic relationship.
The spicy scenes were very spicy!!! I might need a hockey player in my life… or maybe two 😏
A huge thanks to Luna Literary Management and Meadow Thompson for the ARC and the opportunity to read this book in advance in exchange for an honest review.
🇮🇹:
Dopo un passato doloroso, Fawn decide di rinunciare alle relazioni e a qualsiasi distrazione. Ma tutto cambia quando si ritrova coinvolta nel mondo della squadra di hockey degli Ivywood Wolves. Qui incontra due uomini molto diversi: Dylan, il capitano affascinante e sicuro di sé, e Torin, silenzioso e intenso.
Nonostante cerchi di mantenere le distanze, finisce per legarsi a entrambi dopo che intervengono per proteggerla. Man mano che il rapporto con ciascuno di loro si approfondisce, uno le porta leggerezza e sorrisi, l’altro passione e intensità, la situazione diventa impossibile da ignorare.
Quando Dylan e Torin decidono di non competere per lei, ma di stare entrambi con lei, tutte le regole che Fawn si era imposta crollano. Divisa tra loro, dovrà affrontare i suoi sentimenti e capire cosa desidera davvero, se vuole davvero scegliere.
Questo libro offre molto più di semplici scene spicy. Fawn, la protagonista, ha PCOS, Dylan ha l’ADHD e Torin porta con sé un PTSD legato al suo passato da soldato e altre cose che ha passato.
Non ho amato quanto velocemente si sia sviluppata la relazione tra loro tre, avrei preferito vederla crescere più lentamente. Tuttavia, ho apprezzato molto quanto Dylan e Torin siano stati protettivi e di supporto nei confronti di Fawn, e come lei grazie a loro pian piano a ritrova fiducia in sé stessa dopo una relazione tossica.
Le scene spicy sono davvero… molto spicy!!! Ho bisogno di un giocatore di hockey nella mia vita… o forse due 😏
Un enorme grazie a Luna Literary Management e Meadow Thompson per l’ARC e per l’opportunità di leggere il libro in anteprima in cambio di una recensione onesta.
April 13, 2026
Fawn is working on her second book and dives into the world of ice hockey for research. After attending a game and landing the opportunity to interview players, she expects she might develop a crush on one of them. What she doesn’t expect is to be drawn to two… or for both of them to want her just as much.
This was a really lovely why choose MMF romance. It explores some deeply sensitive topics, including PCOS, dementia,, ADHD, parental loss, body dysmorphia, an abusive ex, and PTSD. Despite everything it takes on, the story never feels overwhelmed or loses its focus.
It’s beautifully written, emotional, and romantic, with plenty of spice woven in. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
If you love books with overly protective MMCs, aching yearning, and a truly beautiful bond between three people, then this is absolutely for you.
MMF WHY CHOOSE ROMANCE
HOCKEY PLAYER MMCs
AUTHOR FMC
FRIENDS TO LOVERS
INSTANT ATTRACTION
SMALL TOWN
This was a really lovely why choose MMF romance. It explores some deeply sensitive topics, including PCOS, dementia,, ADHD, parental loss, body dysmorphia, an abusive ex, and PTSD. Despite everything it takes on, the story never feels overwhelmed or loses its focus.
It’s beautifully written, emotional, and romantic, with plenty of spice woven in. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
If you love books with overly protective MMCs, aching yearning, and a truly beautiful bond between three people, then this is absolutely for you.
MMF WHY CHOOSE ROMANCE
HOCKEY PLAYER MMCs
AUTHOR FMC
FRIENDS TO LOVERS
INSTANT ATTRACTION
SMALL TOWN
April 6, 2026
After leaving a toxic relationship with a man that did nothing but tear her down, Fawn has been living with her best friend Delilah and is ready to work on her second book, a hockey romance. Given permission to watch her local team's practice, she's instantly drawn to two men on the team. Dylan is pure golden retriever energy, always a smile on his face a dancing through life. Torin is the quiet, dark one who practically sees into your soul when you make eye contact. The closer she gets to them, the harder time sh has deciding who she might have more of a connection with.
While this book was set up to be something I enjoy, there were just a few core flaws that I couldn't get past that made this fall into "just ok" territory for me. First, of course deciding to write a hockey book with zero understanding of hockey was a choice, but I also felt like the whole reason she was there (the research) never really... happened. There was essentially one day where she asked hockey questions and then never picked back up as she decided to get more personal with the guys. Sure, whatever, I guess?
With how long this book is, I just thought the pacing was wrong. This could've easily been shortened by about 100 pages and still told the story. Were the spicy scenes spicy? Yes, they were good. Was there a lot of "uh what" thoughts happening while I read? Also yes.
Depending on who the FMC and MMC are in the next book (I have an idea), I'd still pick it up. Maybe this was just a fluke.
While this book was set up to be something I enjoy, there were just a few core flaws that I couldn't get past that made this fall into "just ok" territory for me. First, of course deciding to write a hockey book with zero understanding of hockey was a choice, but I also felt like the whole reason she was there (the research) never really... happened. There was essentially one day where she asked hockey questions and then never picked back up as she decided to get more personal with the guys. Sure, whatever, I guess?
With how long this book is, I just thought the pacing was wrong. This could've easily been shortened by about 100 pages and still told the story. Were the spicy scenes spicy? Yes, they were good. Was there a lot of "uh what" thoughts happening while I read? Also yes.
Depending on who the FMC and MMC are in the next book (I have an idea), I'd still pick it up. Maybe this was just a fluke.
April 17, 2026
Thank you to Luna Literary for the E arc , this is my review and honest opinion 🩷
I absolutely enjoyed this book! I truly experienced every emotion possible, the smiles , giggles and the sad ones too. But I most enjoyed the banter in this book. Omg can we talk about the spice level in this book 🤩 🤯 WOW. Definitely made me blush at times. I also really appreciated the different representation in the book as well, especially PCOS. Thank Meadow Thompson this was beautiful book 📕
🩷small town
🩷Hockey🏒 & Author ✍️
🩷MFM
🩷Why Choose
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I absolutely enjoyed this book! I truly experienced every emotion possible, the smiles , giggles and the sad ones too. But I most enjoyed the banter in this book. Omg can we talk about the spice level in this book 🤩 🤯 WOW. Definitely made me blush at times. I also really appreciated the different representation in the book as well, especially PCOS. Thank Meadow Thompson this was beautiful book 📕
🩷small town
🩷Hockey🏒 & Author ✍️
🩷MFM
🩷Why Choose
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
April 18, 2026
4✯ i had a great time reading this book! i really liked dylan and torin, their individual dynamics were great even if i would have loved a slower development in their relationship with fawn, but also with each other.
That being said, i really felt like i was reading the small town version of Pucking Around with all the similarities. Not a bad thing at all, but i just couldn’t unsee it.
That being said, i really felt like i was reading the small town version of Pucking Around with all the similarities. Not a bad thing at all, but i just couldn’t unsee it.
May 1, 2026
Thanks to Luna Literary Management and the author for this advanced reading copy.
Wow. This was another hockey sports romance with lots of spice. Some of the tropes are small town, why choose, two gorgeous men, PCOS rep, author x two ice hockey players, they fall first and golden retriever MMC and his grumpy best friend. I’ve never read a story with a woman and two men in a relationship. There is quite a bit of spice in this one. I liked the small town vibes as well.
Wow. This was another hockey sports romance with lots of spice. Some of the tropes are small town, why choose, two gorgeous men, PCOS rep, author x two ice hockey players, they fall first and golden retriever MMC and his grumpy best friend. I’ve never read a story with a woman and two men in a relationship. There is quite a bit of spice in this one. I liked the small town vibes as well.
April 1, 2026
I absolutely loved this book! The characters and their relationship developed so beautifully! It was emotional, I was smiling and kicking my feet, I cried and teared up, and swooned! This book put me through it and I didn’t want it to end! I loved every minute! You definitely need to read this one!
March 31, 2026
I read this book very good and nice easy read!!
A steamy, small-town, why choose, hockey romance featuring a grumpy enforcer, a cocky captain, a heroine with PCOS,found family, and possessive heroes who fall hard. Perfect for fans of Emily Rath, Lily Gold, Grace McGinty, Elle Kennedy and Rachel Reid
If loving one hockey player is reckless . . . loving two is irresistible.
A steamy, small-town, why choose, hockey romance featuring a grumpy enforcer, a cocky captain, a heroine with PCOS,found family, and possessive heroes who fall hard. Perfect for fans of Emily Rath, Lily Gold, Grace McGinty, Elle Kennedy and Rachel Reid
If loving one hockey player is reckless . . . loving two is irresistible.
April 24, 2026
okay but why not both …?
Meadow Thompson does an amazing job with this book. Between the pages and the rink was a why choose between a novelist and two hockey players that couldn’t be more different.
The story has heat but it also has emotional depth and brings in different aspect of mental and physical struggles you don’t see portrayed in many books.
Our FMC is a gorgeous girl dealing with so much that you’ll discover as you along the pages, and it’s heartbreaking to hear what she does through but she’s so strong and determined.
Our MMC(s) couldnt be any more different and yet they compliment each other beautifully. Both working through their own struggles and everything that made them who they are today to be who they need to be.
I wasn’t expecting the story to be as deeply pulling as it was, I found myself instantly hooked, kicking my feet and even getting teary eyed at certain points.
I look forward to seeing what happened in book 2… maybe more from our 3 maybe Cal…. I can’t wait !
Meadow Thompson does an amazing job with this book. Between the pages and the rink was a why choose between a novelist and two hockey players that couldn’t be more different.
The story has heat but it also has emotional depth and brings in different aspect of mental and physical struggles you don’t see portrayed in many books.
Our FMC is a gorgeous girl dealing with so much that you’ll discover as you along the pages, and it’s heartbreaking to hear what she does through but she’s so strong and determined.
Our MMC(s) couldnt be any more different and yet they compliment each other beautifully. Both working through their own struggles and everything that made them who they are today to be who they need to be.
I wasn’t expecting the story to be as deeply pulling as it was, I found myself instantly hooked, kicking my feet and even getting teary eyed at certain points.
I look forward to seeing what happened in book 2… maybe more from our 3 maybe Cal…. I can’t wait !
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5☆
Firstly, congratulations Meadow on your debut book!
It is a hockey why choose romance. From someone who hasn't read loads of them I really enjoyed it. You definitely go on an emotional rollercoaster and I found that I related to Fawn a lot in so many ways.
Fawn is an author trying to get inspiration and research for her upcoming book- a hockey romance. It made me laugh at how little knowledge she had about the sport to begin with. She ends up going to a local Rink to interview some of the players which is where she meets Dylan and Torin. I adored both of these MMCs and agree with Fawn at why choose one when you can have them both? 😏
The PCOS representation was really nice to see as a fellow girlie who suffers, it's nice to see it highlighted and the struggles you can go through. Fawn has been hurt and holds some emotional scares from her douche bag ex (seriously hes a prick) and I love how these two men come in and help her see that she is beautiful.
You can't mention the book without mentioning the beautiful relationship Fawn has with her Grandpa. Losing my Grandad was one of the hardest things I have ever dealt with and seeing Fawn love him so much and willing to do anything to help him was so heartwarming as it reminded me so much of my relationship with mine. The dementia representation was also lovely to see as it runs through my family as well and my nan is currently going through it.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and it was such a nice heart warming read. I have loved being apart of Meadows street team and seeing this book become what it has and trad published I am very proud of her. 🫶🏼💜
Thank you Meadow, @lunarliteraryagency and @choclituk
for the ARC on this book for an honest review.
Firstly, congratulations Meadow on your debut book!
It is a hockey why choose romance. From someone who hasn't read loads of them I really enjoyed it. You definitely go on an emotional rollercoaster and I found that I related to Fawn a lot in so many ways.
Fawn is an author trying to get inspiration and research for her upcoming book- a hockey romance. It made me laugh at how little knowledge she had about the sport to begin with. She ends up going to a local Rink to interview some of the players which is where she meets Dylan and Torin. I adored both of these MMCs and agree with Fawn at why choose one when you can have them both? 😏
The PCOS representation was really nice to see as a fellow girlie who suffers, it's nice to see it highlighted and the struggles you can go through. Fawn has been hurt and holds some emotional scares from her douche bag ex (seriously hes a prick) and I love how these two men come in and help her see that she is beautiful.
You can't mention the book without mentioning the beautiful relationship Fawn has with her Grandpa. Losing my Grandad was one of the hardest things I have ever dealt with and seeing Fawn love him so much and willing to do anything to help him was so heartwarming as it reminded me so much of my relationship with mine. The dementia representation was also lovely to see as it runs through my family as well and my nan is currently going through it.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and it was such a nice heart warming read. I have loved being apart of Meadows street team and seeing this book become what it has and trad published I am very proud of her. 🫶🏼💜
Thank you Meadow, @lunarliteraryagency and @choclituk
for the ARC on this book for an honest review.
May 8, 2026
📖Book Review📖
Between The Pages and The Rink
Please check for any trigger warnings before you start this book. Your Mental Health is important.
This is Meadow Thomson’s debut novel and I had high hopes for this book, let me tell you it DID NOT disappoint, if anything it exceeded my expectations it was so good. I can’t wait for the next book.
I just loved everything about the book, the writing style was so good and addictive (I was hooked from page 1), the story just flowed and was so smooth. And the characters were just so loveable.
Omg I relate to Fawn so much it’s crazy, especially with how she feels about her body and stretch marks. It’s nice to read about a fmc having the same thoughts and issues about that. Makes me feel like it’s not just me and I’m not alone in those feelings.
I liked the way Meadow wrote about Fawn and her Grandpa and their experience with dementia. It was heartbreaking to read but also eye opening and it was written in a sensitive way. I also liked how she wrote about Fawns experience with PCOS I think it definitely helps bring more awareness and attention is a horrible disease that a lot of people don’t know much about.
I honestly think fawn is one of my new favourite FMCS, I just relate to her so much from her body confidence issues to how she can sometimes be a little awkward (but still relatable). She is just so honest and kind.
I also loved how Meadow wrote about Fawn having PCOS and the struggles she faced with it. I feel it helped to bring more awareness of PCOS and to normalise it. It’s not just a “bad” period. It just made the book more deep and emotional that some of the parts of the book Meadow had actually experienced herself.
I hated everyone who was mean to Fawn. Coach, Harper and Jason were like the holy trinity of nasty people. I felt so sad for Fawn like just let the girl live her best life ya know.
Dylan’s loss 😭😭😭 iykyk, tho 2-3 chapters especially broke me as I’ve experienced what he has and its gut wrenching in the worst way and something I don’t wish on anyone. Meadow portrayed this beautifully and in a respectful way.
What happened between Torin and Dylan I can’t lie it made me feel a little weird and I’m not sure why? I don’t wanna say what it is as I don’t wanna spoil the book for those who haven’t read it yet. It just kinda felt like it wasn’t mentioned beforehand so when it happened it was like whoa 😧.
I loved the storyline and how Fawn didn’t have to choose, she could have both! Lucky girl getting two hot hockey players (not jealous at all).
The spice was ON POINT.
And yes whilst there was some good quality spice there was also plot too so the balance between the two was great.
Definitely a memorable and enjoyable, top read of 2026 for me.
Can’t wait for the next one, I hope it’s Delilah and Cal’s story.
Tropes
🏒Hockey players x writer
🥰MFM why choose
🌶️Spicy
🏘️Small town charm
🩷Friends to lovers
💪🏻Protective MMCS
🐶Golden retriever x grumpy mysterious MMCS
🌸PCOS rep
🤪ADHD rep
🌦️PTSD rep
Aftercare kings
❌Touch her and 💀
😏Insta lust
🗣️Who did this to you
💗Multi first person POV
4.5⭐️
5🌶️
*Images are from Pinterest and are being used for book review aesthetic/purposes only.
Between The Pages and The Rink
Please check for any trigger warnings before you start this book. Your Mental Health is important.
This is Meadow Thomson’s debut novel and I had high hopes for this book, let me tell you it DID NOT disappoint, if anything it exceeded my expectations it was so good. I can’t wait for the next book.
I just loved everything about the book, the writing style was so good and addictive (I was hooked from page 1), the story just flowed and was so smooth. And the characters were just so loveable.
Omg I relate to Fawn so much it’s crazy, especially with how she feels about her body and stretch marks. It’s nice to read about a fmc having the same thoughts and issues about that. Makes me feel like it’s not just me and I’m not alone in those feelings.
I liked the way Meadow wrote about Fawn and her Grandpa and their experience with dementia. It was heartbreaking to read but also eye opening and it was written in a sensitive way. I also liked how she wrote about Fawns experience with PCOS I think it definitely helps bring more awareness and attention is a horrible disease that a lot of people don’t know much about.
I honestly think fawn is one of my new favourite FMCS, I just relate to her so much from her body confidence issues to how she can sometimes be a little awkward (but still relatable). She is just so honest and kind.
I also loved how Meadow wrote about Fawn having PCOS and the struggles she faced with it. I feel it helped to bring more awareness of PCOS and to normalise it. It’s not just a “bad” period. It just made the book more deep and emotional that some of the parts of the book Meadow had actually experienced herself.
I hated everyone who was mean to Fawn. Coach, Harper and Jason were like the holy trinity of nasty people. I felt so sad for Fawn like just let the girl live her best life ya know.
Dylan’s loss 😭😭😭 iykyk, tho 2-3 chapters especially broke me as I’ve experienced what he has and its gut wrenching in the worst way and something I don’t wish on anyone. Meadow portrayed this beautifully and in a respectful way.
What happened between Torin and Dylan I can’t lie it made me feel a little weird and I’m not sure why? I don’t wanna say what it is as I don’t wanna spoil the book for those who haven’t read it yet. It just kinda felt like it wasn’t mentioned beforehand so when it happened it was like whoa 😧.
I loved the storyline and how Fawn didn’t have to choose, she could have both! Lucky girl getting two hot hockey players (not jealous at all).
The spice was ON POINT.
And yes whilst there was some good quality spice there was also plot too so the balance between the two was great.
Definitely a memorable and enjoyable, top read of 2026 for me.
Can’t wait for the next one, I hope it’s Delilah and Cal’s story.
Tropes
🏒Hockey players x writer
🥰MFM why choose
🌶️Spicy
🏘️Small town charm
🩷Friends to lovers
💪🏻Protective MMCS
🐶Golden retriever x grumpy mysterious MMCS
🌸PCOS rep
🤪ADHD rep
🌦️PTSD rep
Aftercare kings
❌Touch her and 💀
😏Insta lust
🗣️Who did this to you
💗Multi first person POV
4.5⭐️
5🌶️
*Images are from Pinterest and are being used for book review aesthetic/purposes only.
April 12, 2026
Here is my review for Between The Pages And The Rink by Meadow Thompson
I found myself drawn into this ice hockey players versus writer romance as the story brilliantly portrayed their characters and the story so well. Fawn Higgins was doing research for her second book which included ice hockey players. She had done some research online but felt she needed more information and wanted to see how the players interacted together on the rink, their banter plus more knowledge of the game. She managed to get invited to a practice game of the Ivywood Wolves and met Cal who gave her some invaluable insider information. She went back to interview the players when she was immediately attracted to Dylan Crawley, the captain and Torin Anderson, the grumpy enforcer. Both stepped in to protect her on the bar crawl. If she had to pick one, could she? This was an intriguing romance story where Fawn's character had anxiety issues, had come out of a toxic relationship and was following a set of rules about men. Both Dylan and Torin are off-limits but her body is saying otherwise. Dylan and Torin have their own issues they are dealing with but step up to protect Fawn and won't let their friendship come between them because of Fawn. Fawn is interested in them and their stories, not just for her book. The relationship between the three is the basis of the story. The author has done a lot of research before writing this book and it shows in the information contained in the story as it is very detailed. The characters are quite interesting, very descriptive and very realistic with their emotions etc. The descriptive writing was very detailed and everything was described really well. The synopsis helped draw me to read this story as I don't read much in this genre but I liked the storyline and it was written really well. I found I couldn’t put the book down as I wanted to carry on reading. I look forward to the next book in the series.
Blurb :
If loving one hockey player is reckless . . . loving two is irresistible.
After enough heartache to last a lifetime, I made a rule:
No men.
No hookups.
No distractions.
Then I walked into the Ivywood Wolves’ ice rink.
Dylan Crawley is the golden-boy captain — cocky grin, effortless charisma, and used to winning on, and off, the ice.
Torin Anderson is the grumpy enforcer — dark eyes, rough edges. The kind of man who doesn’t smile . . . but makes you feel everything.
One is all swagger.
One is all silence.
Both are completely off-limits.
Until the night they step in to protect me — like it’s instinct. Like I’m already theirs.
Dylan makes me laugh.
Torin makes me burn.
And when they decide they’re not competing . . . but sharing?
The rules shatter.
Now I’m caught between two possessive hockey gods who don’t play fair — and don’t plan on letting me go.
Maybe I should choose.
Maybe I can’t.
Maybe I don’t want to.
A steamy, small-town, why choose, hockey romance featuring a grumpy enforcer, a cocky captain, a heroine with PCOS,found family, and possessive heroes who fall hard. Perfect for fans of Emily Rath, Lily Gold, Grace McGinty, Elle Kennedy and Rachel Reid
I found myself drawn into this ice hockey players versus writer romance as the story brilliantly portrayed their characters and the story so well. Fawn Higgins was doing research for her second book which included ice hockey players. She had done some research online but felt she needed more information and wanted to see how the players interacted together on the rink, their banter plus more knowledge of the game. She managed to get invited to a practice game of the Ivywood Wolves and met Cal who gave her some invaluable insider information. She went back to interview the players when she was immediately attracted to Dylan Crawley, the captain and Torin Anderson, the grumpy enforcer. Both stepped in to protect her on the bar crawl. If she had to pick one, could she? This was an intriguing romance story where Fawn's character had anxiety issues, had come out of a toxic relationship and was following a set of rules about men. Both Dylan and Torin are off-limits but her body is saying otherwise. Dylan and Torin have their own issues they are dealing with but step up to protect Fawn and won't let their friendship come between them because of Fawn. Fawn is interested in them and their stories, not just for her book. The relationship between the three is the basis of the story. The author has done a lot of research before writing this book and it shows in the information contained in the story as it is very detailed. The characters are quite interesting, very descriptive and very realistic with their emotions etc. The descriptive writing was very detailed and everything was described really well. The synopsis helped draw me to read this story as I don't read much in this genre but I liked the storyline and it was written really well. I found I couldn’t put the book down as I wanted to carry on reading. I look forward to the next book in the series.
Blurb :
If loving one hockey player is reckless . . . loving two is irresistible.
After enough heartache to last a lifetime, I made a rule:
No men.
No hookups.
No distractions.
Then I walked into the Ivywood Wolves’ ice rink.
Dylan Crawley is the golden-boy captain — cocky grin, effortless charisma, and used to winning on, and off, the ice.
Torin Anderson is the grumpy enforcer — dark eyes, rough edges. The kind of man who doesn’t smile . . . but makes you feel everything.
One is all swagger.
One is all silence.
Both are completely off-limits.
Until the night they step in to protect me — like it’s instinct. Like I’m already theirs.
Dylan makes me laugh.
Torin makes me burn.
And when they decide they’re not competing . . . but sharing?
The rules shatter.
Now I’m caught between two possessive hockey gods who don’t play fair — and don’t plan on letting me go.
Maybe I should choose.
Maybe I can’t.
Maybe I don’t want to.
A steamy, small-town, why choose, hockey romance featuring a grumpy enforcer, a cocky captain, a heroine with PCOS,found family, and possessive heroes who fall hard. Perfect for fans of Emily Rath, Lily Gold, Grace McGinty, Elle Kennedy and Rachel Reid
April 19, 2026
There’s something about this book that lingers.
Maybe it’s the way it balances softness with heavier themes, or how the relationships feel layered rather than rushed but Between the Pages and the Rink ended up being more emotionally grounded than I expected going in.
At its core, this is a why choose romance that leans into connection over spectacle. What makes it stand out is that Dylan and Torin aren’t larger-than-life hockey stars, they’re just normal guys playing beer league, working regular jobs, and showing up in ways that feel real. That choice alone made the story feel more intimate.
Fawn, as our FMC, was incredibly easy to connect with. She’s navigating the aftermath of a difficult relationship while managing her own insecurities and living with PCOS, all while trying to build something for herself through her writing. There’s a quiet resilience to her that made her feel genuine, I found myself rooting for her constantly.
Then there’s Dylan and Torin, who couldn’t be more different but somehow balance each other perfectly.
Dylan is warmth and chaos, the golden retriever energy that brings light into every scene, even when he’s being a bit of a disaster. He loves loudly and without hesitation.
Torin, on the other hand, is all quiet intensity. Protective, guarded, and emotionally layered, with a depth that unfolds slowly as the story progresses.
What really worked for me was the dynamic between the three of them. It didn’t feel forced or surface-level, it felt like each relationship had its own weight, and together they created something that made sense emotionally, not just romantically.
The book also touches on heavier themes like grief, Alzheimer’s, mental health struggles, and past trauma. These elements were handled thoughtfully and added depth to the story without overshadowing the romance.
I will say the pacing leaned a little fast in parts, especially in the development of the connection, and at times the balance tipped more toward the physical side than I would have preferred but the emotional core kept me invested throughout.
There were moments I laughed, moments I felt frustrated for the characters, and moments where I just sat with what they were going through. That kind of emotional engagement always sticks with me.
A strong debut that definitely has me curious for what comes next, especially if we get more from this world.
Who this is for: readers who love why choose romance with strong emotional connections, contrasting love interests, and a mix of comfort, angst, and character-driven storytelling.
✨ Thank you so much to the author and Luna Literary Management for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Maybe it’s the way it balances softness with heavier themes, or how the relationships feel layered rather than rushed but Between the Pages and the Rink ended up being more emotionally grounded than I expected going in.
At its core, this is a why choose romance that leans into connection over spectacle. What makes it stand out is that Dylan and Torin aren’t larger-than-life hockey stars, they’re just normal guys playing beer league, working regular jobs, and showing up in ways that feel real. That choice alone made the story feel more intimate.
Fawn, as our FMC, was incredibly easy to connect with. She’s navigating the aftermath of a difficult relationship while managing her own insecurities and living with PCOS, all while trying to build something for herself through her writing. There’s a quiet resilience to her that made her feel genuine, I found myself rooting for her constantly.
Then there’s Dylan and Torin, who couldn’t be more different but somehow balance each other perfectly.
Dylan is warmth and chaos, the golden retriever energy that brings light into every scene, even when he’s being a bit of a disaster. He loves loudly and without hesitation.
Torin, on the other hand, is all quiet intensity. Protective, guarded, and emotionally layered, with a depth that unfolds slowly as the story progresses.
What really worked for me was the dynamic between the three of them. It didn’t feel forced or surface-level, it felt like each relationship had its own weight, and together they created something that made sense emotionally, not just romantically.
The book also touches on heavier themes like grief, Alzheimer’s, mental health struggles, and past trauma. These elements were handled thoughtfully and added depth to the story without overshadowing the romance.
I will say the pacing leaned a little fast in parts, especially in the development of the connection, and at times the balance tipped more toward the physical side than I would have preferred but the emotional core kept me invested throughout.
There were moments I laughed, moments I felt frustrated for the characters, and moments where I just sat with what they were going through. That kind of emotional engagement always sticks with me.
A strong debut that definitely has me curious for what comes next, especially if we get more from this world.
Who this is for: readers who love why choose romance with strong emotional connections, contrasting love interests, and a mix of comfort, angst, and character-driven storytelling.
✨ Thank you so much to the author and Luna Literary Management for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2026
I had to sit on this for a minute…this book threw me for a loop in the best way possible. I bawled my eyes out in chapters 50-52…I just honestly felt so much for these characters. It’s written in each of their POV which makes it easy to fly through - you just want to see what they’re thinking/feeling individually and I love that.
Fawn is our FMC - if this were real life, I’d be friends with her. She struggles with body image (totally relatable) - she doesn’t want people to see her body due to a douche of an ex. She has PCOS, struggles with her weight and she thinks her stretch marks make her ugly (also relatable). I loved her bestie Delilah - such a baddie in her own way and she was such a support system to Fawn. She really only has her and her grandpa. Her grandfather is in a home due to dementia- anyone that’s gone through this with a loved one - it’s so hard.
Fawn is an author - her second book is supposed to be a hockey romance which she knows nothing about. She scopes out the local hockey team doing research - this research changes her life by introducing her to Cal, Dylan and Torin.
Dylan is our golden retriever with ADHD - he also happens to be the captain of the hockey team and she thinks he’ll screw anything that walks. Torin is the black cloud with PTSD that draws her attention with one glance. There’s something about them that she can’t seem to let go.
Between the three of them, there’s so many past and current traumas. They build a relationship and don’t make her choose between the two - have you ever been in that situation? That you just wish you could combine two people into one - in this case, Fawn gets them both. There’s banter between them had me laughing out loud throughout the book! I loved them so much!
There’s some MM exploration between Dylan and Torin - they’ve been best friends forever and never really thought about crossing that line until Fawn. There were definitely parts of the book that had me blushing!!
Watching them heal each other was beautiful. Definitely check the TW’s - there are some touchy subjects but I literally could not put this book down! It hit so close to home with how much I resonated with Fawn personally - with the struggles of not feeling good enough, physical insecurities and having a grand with dementia. I loved each character separately and together - they literally pick themselves up from the pits and put the pieces back together and their story couldn’t have been better. I definitely would recommend this book and I look forward to reading more from this author! Thank you so much to her and Luna Literary for the early read! All opinions are my own.
Fawn is our FMC - if this were real life, I’d be friends with her. She struggles with body image (totally relatable) - she doesn’t want people to see her body due to a douche of an ex. She has PCOS, struggles with her weight and she thinks her stretch marks make her ugly (also relatable). I loved her bestie Delilah - such a baddie in her own way and she was such a support system to Fawn. She really only has her and her grandpa. Her grandfather is in a home due to dementia- anyone that’s gone through this with a loved one - it’s so hard.
Fawn is an author - her second book is supposed to be a hockey romance which she knows nothing about. She scopes out the local hockey team doing research - this research changes her life by introducing her to Cal, Dylan and Torin.
Dylan is our golden retriever with ADHD - he also happens to be the captain of the hockey team and she thinks he’ll screw anything that walks. Torin is the black cloud with PTSD that draws her attention with one glance. There’s something about them that she can’t seem to let go.
Between the three of them, there’s so many past and current traumas. They build a relationship and don’t make her choose between the two - have you ever been in that situation? That you just wish you could combine two people into one - in this case, Fawn gets them both. There’s banter between them had me laughing out loud throughout the book! I loved them so much!
There’s some MM exploration between Dylan and Torin - they’ve been best friends forever and never really thought about crossing that line until Fawn. There were definitely parts of the book that had me blushing!!
Watching them heal each other was beautiful. Definitely check the TW’s - there are some touchy subjects but I literally could not put this book down! It hit so close to home with how much I resonated with Fawn personally - with the struggles of not feeling good enough, physical insecurities and having a grand with dementia. I loved each character separately and together - they literally pick themselves up from the pits and put the pieces back together and their story couldn’t have been better. I definitely would recommend this book and I look forward to reading more from this author! Thank you so much to her and Luna Literary for the early read! All opinions are my own.
April 12, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
🌶️🌶️.25
💕 Why Choose (MFM)
✨️ Friends To Lovers
💕 Ice Hockey Players X Author
✨️ Protective MMCs
💕 PCOS Rep
✨️ ADHD Rep
⚠️ CHECK YOUR CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS! Protect your mental peace ☮️⚠️
✨️ 📚 ARC 📖 REVIEW ✨️
This book was totally everything that I hoped it would be and more! The 🥵 SPICE 🥵 was spicing!!!! I loved how well sculpted and rounded the characters are! The author took time and so much effort to make them into who they were. She also took two very big representations and did them SO WELL! I loved that she took these on and really gave them her best shot!
The author also included bereavement, dementia, and mental heath struggles. These are some big topics that can be so hard to read for many. Meadow really tackled these subjects with care and love. There are several subjects she included that I have struggled with myself and even though these sunjects can be hard to read, I didn't have any struggles reasding them.
Fawn was sassy, smart, and sweet. She was relatable and I was able to feel her pain all the way down to my heart. It was almost like a reverse Grinch effect. Even though Fawn had her issues, she was still the most selfless and deeply caring person for those that are around her. Being the person she is, she is super likeable with her personality but also the way that she cared for people! I felt liike Fawn and I were kindred spirits in the way she cares for people. I love my people and I love them hard!
Dylan and Torin really ran the gambit for MMCs! Dylan is our golden retriever and Torin is the mysterious and broody guy that I automatically wanted to know more about. These two personalities worked so well within this book! Torin may have been moody and distant but that doesn't mean he wasn't an amazing person once you got to know him. He had such a big heart and needed Dylan and Fawn both so that he could share his heart with them. When someone who has such a big heart needs to share it to be fulfilled, but Torin was guarded for good reason. He had been hurt at some point and couldn't be hurt so quickly.
This trio's relationship formed very quickly but worked so well and made sense, not just for them but for the reader! I truly enjoyed seeing how everything unfolded! ONce it unfolded it gave me all the feels and I couldn't help but root them on!
Thank you 🫶🏻 to ✨️ Meadow Thompson & Luna Literary ✨️ for the complimentary 📚 ARC 📚. ✨️ All opinions are my own, honest, and voluntary✨️.
🌶️🌶️.25
💕 Why Choose (MFM)
✨️ Friends To Lovers
💕 Ice Hockey Players X Author
✨️ Protective MMCs
💕 PCOS Rep
✨️ ADHD Rep
⚠️ CHECK YOUR CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS! Protect your mental peace ☮️⚠️
✨️ 📚 ARC 📖 REVIEW ✨️
This book was totally everything that I hoped it would be and more! The 🥵 SPICE 🥵 was spicing!!!! I loved how well sculpted and rounded the characters are! The author took time and so much effort to make them into who they were. She also took two very big representations and did them SO WELL! I loved that she took these on and really gave them her best shot!
The author also included bereavement, dementia, and mental heath struggles. These are some big topics that can be so hard to read for many. Meadow really tackled these subjects with care and love. There are several subjects she included that I have struggled with myself and even though these sunjects can be hard to read, I didn't have any struggles reasding them.
Fawn was sassy, smart, and sweet. She was relatable and I was able to feel her pain all the way down to my heart. It was almost like a reverse Grinch effect. Even though Fawn had her issues, she was still the most selfless and deeply caring person for those that are around her. Being the person she is, she is super likeable with her personality but also the way that she cared for people! I felt liike Fawn and I were kindred spirits in the way she cares for people. I love my people and I love them hard!
Dylan and Torin really ran the gambit for MMCs! Dylan is our golden retriever and Torin is the mysterious and broody guy that I automatically wanted to know more about. These two personalities worked so well within this book! Torin may have been moody and distant but that doesn't mean he wasn't an amazing person once you got to know him. He had such a big heart and needed Dylan and Fawn both so that he could share his heart with them. When someone who has such a big heart needs to share it to be fulfilled, but Torin was guarded for good reason. He had been hurt at some point and couldn't be hurt so quickly.
This trio's relationship formed very quickly but worked so well and made sense, not just for them but for the reader! I truly enjoyed seeing how everything unfolded! ONce it unfolded it gave me all the feels and I couldn't help but root them on!
Thank you 🫶🏻 to ✨️ Meadow Thompson & Luna Literary ✨️ for the complimentary 📚 ARC 📚. ✨️ All opinions are my own, honest, and voluntary✨️.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Stepping slightly outside my usual comfort zone with Between the Pages and the Rink turned out to be a really interesting reading experience, and one I’m glad I took a chance on. What I didn’t expect going in was just how emotionally layered this story would be.
Beneath the romance, this is a book that quietly weaves in real-life challenges, adding a depth that really pulled me in. These are handled with care and sensitivity, woven naturally into the characters’ lives rather than feeling like they’re there just for drama. It gives the story a grounding that makes everything feel more real, more human, and ultimately more affecting. And I think that’s what stayed with me most.
Yes, the “why choose” dynamic is a central part of the story, but it’s the how - how these characters arrive at that place, how their lives and experiences shape their choices - that really gives it meaning. There’s a sense of history and emotional build-up that makes everything feel earned, and I found myself completely invested in that journey without needing every detail spelled out.
The story is told through all three perspectives, which adds another layer of connection. Being able to see inside each of their thoughts and emotions gives a fuller understanding of who they are, and why they respond to things the way they do. It never feels one-sided, each voice brings something important to the overall picture. In terms of tone, this sits firmly in an emotionally driven, open-door romance. It has its more intense moments, but they’re rooted in connection rather than explicit detail, which made it feel balanced and easy to settle into.
I found this to be a really fast-paced and engaging read. The writing flows effortlessly, making it incredibly easy to get pulled in and stay there. I was completely hooked from early on, and it never felt like a struggle to keep turning the pages. What I appreciated most, though, was the underlying softness. For all the heavier themes woven throughout, there’s a strong sense of care, understanding, and emotional support that runs quietly beneath everything else.
Overall, this was a thoughtful and emotionally rich read that offered far more depth than I initially expected. It gently pushed me outside my usual reading comfort zone, but in a way that felt natural, engaging, and genuinely worthwhile.
Beneath the romance, this is a book that quietly weaves in real-life challenges, adding a depth that really pulled me in. These are handled with care and sensitivity, woven naturally into the characters’ lives rather than feeling like they’re there just for drama. It gives the story a grounding that makes everything feel more real, more human, and ultimately more affecting. And I think that’s what stayed with me most.
Yes, the “why choose” dynamic is a central part of the story, but it’s the how - how these characters arrive at that place, how their lives and experiences shape their choices - that really gives it meaning. There’s a sense of history and emotional build-up that makes everything feel earned, and I found myself completely invested in that journey without needing every detail spelled out.
The story is told through all three perspectives, which adds another layer of connection. Being able to see inside each of their thoughts and emotions gives a fuller understanding of who they are, and why they respond to things the way they do. It never feels one-sided, each voice brings something important to the overall picture. In terms of tone, this sits firmly in an emotionally driven, open-door romance. It has its more intense moments, but they’re rooted in connection rather than explicit detail, which made it feel balanced and easy to settle into.
I found this to be a really fast-paced and engaging read. The writing flows effortlessly, making it incredibly easy to get pulled in and stay there. I was completely hooked from early on, and it never felt like a struggle to keep turning the pages. What I appreciated most, though, was the underlying softness. For all the heavier themes woven throughout, there’s a strong sense of care, understanding, and emotional support that runs quietly beneath everything else.
Overall, this was a thoughtful and emotionally rich read that offered far more depth than I initially expected. It gently pushed me outside my usual reading comfort zone, but in a way that felt natural, engaging, and genuinely worthwhile.
April 27, 2026
Josie are you proud I read a hockey romance.
Right let me preface this with the fact that I do not normally read books like this so one of these stars is for the sheer level of advertising budget that somehow got allocated to this thing that it was showing up as every second advert on my instagram and I was like why the hell not anything to break up the monotony of reading les mis. Also I have no idea how it compares to ones of this genre regularly.
I don’t feel like I really can criticise this book that much honesty because like I read the whole thing so like what was I doing at the devils sacrament. But also it was not good. The characters were so cringy and weird especially considering they were 26-30 like who is acting like this. The way they all spoke to eachother was jarring every time also there was a whole long bit on how her mean ex love bombed her but then they’re all telling eachother they love eachother within like a week. The epilogue is them moving in together less than three months(!!!) after they first meet. Some other characters are introduced who are all immediately written out of the story and just exist as like vague peripheral things I guess to try and flesh out the background.
Also I don’t know if the author has like an embarrassment fetish but the first three interactions the fmc has with them (out of the like 6 they have before they tell eachother they love eachother) is her just being super unwell or drunk or something and like I get the point is that they’re lovely and will take care of her but she hasn’t really been appealing in any way and even the love interests can’t find anything really nice to say about her other than she’s special in an undefined way.
A lot of the things about the fmc were just too specific for it not to just feel like complete self insert although I did appreciate that the main character (who is a romance author obviously) said she was only writing a hockey romance because they’re selling at the moment.
I have more thoughts about why this book was ridiculous but again I read all 500 pages (which is crazy literally nothing happens except sex and her visiting her grandpa) so I can’t say much else except I wouldn’t recommend.
Right let me preface this with the fact that I do not normally read books like this so one of these stars is for the sheer level of advertising budget that somehow got allocated to this thing that it was showing up as every second advert on my instagram and I was like why the hell not anything to break up the monotony of reading les mis. Also I have no idea how it compares to ones of this genre regularly.
I don’t feel like I really can criticise this book that much honesty because like I read the whole thing so like what was I doing at the devils sacrament. But also it was not good. The characters were so cringy and weird especially considering they were 26-30 like who is acting like this. The way they all spoke to eachother was jarring every time also there was a whole long bit on how her mean ex love bombed her but then they’re all telling eachother they love eachother within like a week. The epilogue is them moving in together less than three months(!!!) after they first meet. Some other characters are introduced who are all immediately written out of the story and just exist as like vague peripheral things I guess to try and flesh out the background.
Also I don’t know if the author has like an embarrassment fetish but the first three interactions the fmc has with them (out of the like 6 they have before they tell eachother they love eachother) is her just being super unwell or drunk or something and like I get the point is that they’re lovely and will take care of her but she hasn’t really been appealing in any way and even the love interests can’t find anything really nice to say about her other than she’s special in an undefined way.
A lot of the things about the fmc were just too specific for it not to just feel like complete self insert although I did appreciate that the main character (who is a romance author obviously) said she was only writing a hockey romance because they’re selling at the moment.
I have more thoughts about why this book was ridiculous but again I read all 500 pages (which is crazy literally nothing happens except sex and her visiting her grandpa) so I can’t say much else except I wouldn’t recommend.
March 3, 2026
Absolutely amazing debut novel from Meadow Thompson, I was hooked from the start and I didn't want to put it down as I needed to know what was going to happen.
The characters are relatable, you can't help but feel their joy and pain.
Fawn is the perfect FMC - she has flaws, she has insecurities, she has doubts and because of this you can see yourself in her and that makes you want to root for her right from the start.
Dylan is a golden retriever, with a dominant edge and wow am I here for that. He's the comedic relief in the friendship pairing of him and Torin and his heart is as pure as they come and needs to be protected at all costs.
Torin is a harder nut to crack, the silent brooding type who'd rather work through his feelings using his fists than talking. But underneath all of the armour he's got a soft spot for his best friend and Fawn.
The chemistry between the three of them is off the charts, and I'm so glad Meadow made this a why choose because the thought of one of them being left out just isn't an option. And yes while the burn is a little slow, when it hits it hits hard and is just wow.
The chemistry isn't only physical but emotional as well, Dylan, Torin and Fawn bring out the best version of each other. Supporting one another through the good times and the bad.
The storyline is engaging, and I'm not going to spoil much about it but the twist towards the end was unexpected and made me really hate a side character so much (if you know, you know).
What you will find inside this book:
❤️ Why Choose
❤️ Character POV
❤️ Ice Hockey Players x Writer
❤️ Nicknames
❤️ Small Town
❤️ Slow Burn, but when it hits - IT Hits! 🥵
❤️ Protective MMCs
❤️ An FMC Learning To Accept Her Body
❤️ PCOS Rep
❤️ Friends to Lovers
❤️ Golden Retriever x Grumpy Mysterious MMCs
❤️ Aftercare Kings
❤️ Banter
❤️ Tender Moments
❤️ Sweet & Pure Love
❤️ Great Side Characters (I'm hoping we get more Cal & Delilah)
❤️ 5 Star Read
❤️ HEAs
If you're looking for a read that will have you gripped from the start, the look no further. Meadow has you covered and trust me you will not be disappointed.
The characters are relatable, you can't help but feel their joy and pain.
Fawn is the perfect FMC - she has flaws, she has insecurities, she has doubts and because of this you can see yourself in her and that makes you want to root for her right from the start.
Dylan is a golden retriever, with a dominant edge and wow am I here for that. He's the comedic relief in the friendship pairing of him and Torin and his heart is as pure as they come and needs to be protected at all costs.
Torin is a harder nut to crack, the silent brooding type who'd rather work through his feelings using his fists than talking. But underneath all of the armour he's got a soft spot for his best friend and Fawn.
The chemistry between the three of them is off the charts, and I'm so glad Meadow made this a why choose because the thought of one of them being left out just isn't an option. And yes while the burn is a little slow, when it hits it hits hard and is just wow.
The chemistry isn't only physical but emotional as well, Dylan, Torin and Fawn bring out the best version of each other. Supporting one another through the good times and the bad.
The storyline is engaging, and I'm not going to spoil much about it but the twist towards the end was unexpected and made me really hate a side character so much (if you know, you know).
What you will find inside this book:
❤️ Why Choose
❤️ Character POV
❤️ Ice Hockey Players x Writer
❤️ Nicknames
❤️ Small Town
❤️ Slow Burn, but when it hits - IT Hits! 🥵
❤️ Protective MMCs
❤️ An FMC Learning To Accept Her Body
❤️ PCOS Rep
❤️ Friends to Lovers
❤️ Golden Retriever x Grumpy Mysterious MMCs
❤️ Aftercare Kings
❤️ Banter
❤️ Tender Moments
❤️ Sweet & Pure Love
❤️ Great Side Characters (I'm hoping we get more Cal & Delilah)
❤️ 5 Star Read
❤️ HEAs
If you're looking for a read that will have you gripped from the start, the look no further. Meadow has you covered and trust me you will not be disappointed.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)
Thank you to Meadow Thompson for the ARC of Between the Pages and the Rink.
Overall, this was an okay read for me. The concept had a lot of potential, and there were definitely moments I enjoyed, but there were quite a few things that just didn’t fully line up.
The biggest issue for me was how fast the romance moved. There was zero slow burn not even a hint of it. The feelings escalated almost instantly, and it felt rushed rather than earned. I had a hard time buying into such deep emotions when the characters had just met. On top of that, the two MMCs were suddenly completely fine being in a relationship with Fawn with little to no real discussion. That felt like a major leap that deserved more depth and communication.
I was also thrown off by the club hockey aspect. They’re 26 and 30 years old playing on a club team, yet somehow have enough financial stability to help Fawn with her grandfather’s nursing home expenses — despite being a rink manager and a mechanic, not pro hockey players. Speaking of that, it was never clearly explained how Fawn figured out she was going to pay for her grandpa’s care in the first place. Those loose ends made the timeline and financial logistics feel unrealistic.
Cal also surprised me. At the beginning, I thought he was going to play a much bigger role in the story, but he ended up not really having much importance beyond quickly hooking up with Fawn’s friend. That felt like a missed opportunity.
And the ax-throwing date… I’m still not sure what that was. It just added to the overall feeling that everything was happening fast and without much grounding.
Then Fawn moves in after only 3–4 months? Again, it just felt rushed. The pacing overall made it hard for me to fully connect with the romance.
That said, the twist with the coach being the bad guy was genuinely interesting and probably my favorite part of the book. I didn’t fully see that coming, and it added some much-needed tension.
In the end, this wasn’t a bad read it just felt like it needed more development, stronger pacing, and tighter explanations to really land for me. A solid 3 stars.
Thank you to Meadow Thompson for the ARC of Between the Pages and the Rink.
Overall, this was an okay read for me. The concept had a lot of potential, and there were definitely moments I enjoyed, but there were quite a few things that just didn’t fully line up.
The biggest issue for me was how fast the romance moved. There was zero slow burn not even a hint of it. The feelings escalated almost instantly, and it felt rushed rather than earned. I had a hard time buying into such deep emotions when the characters had just met. On top of that, the two MMCs were suddenly completely fine being in a relationship with Fawn with little to no real discussion. That felt like a major leap that deserved more depth and communication.
I was also thrown off by the club hockey aspect. They’re 26 and 30 years old playing on a club team, yet somehow have enough financial stability to help Fawn with her grandfather’s nursing home expenses — despite being a rink manager and a mechanic, not pro hockey players. Speaking of that, it was never clearly explained how Fawn figured out she was going to pay for her grandpa’s care in the first place. Those loose ends made the timeline and financial logistics feel unrealistic.
Cal also surprised me. At the beginning, I thought he was going to play a much bigger role in the story, but he ended up not really having much importance beyond quickly hooking up with Fawn’s friend. That felt like a missed opportunity.
And the ax-throwing date… I’m still not sure what that was. It just added to the overall feeling that everything was happening fast and without much grounding.
Then Fawn moves in after only 3–4 months? Again, it just felt rushed. The pacing overall made it hard for me to fully connect with the romance.
That said, the twist with the coach being the bad guy was genuinely interesting and probably my favorite part of the book. I didn’t fully see that coming, and it added some much-needed tension.
In the end, this wasn’t a bad read it just felt like it needed more development, stronger pacing, and tighter explanations to really land for me. A solid 3 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
Us three. The three of us. Always.
Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Ready to write her second book, Fawn gets the chance to sit in on the local hockey team's practice and interview their players. Along the way, she feels a connection to two of them - the golden retriever Dylan Crawley and the brooding Torin Anderson - and it turns out, that they feel that connection as well.
The storyline in this drew me to it, what is better than a romance writer falling in love with her inspiration? Fawn was so sweet and has been through so much - I loved that she caught both Dylan and Torin's eyes right away and the moments when they were so protective had my heart. You can really feel how much they loved and wanted to be with her, and how it's never a question for them that she can have them both. And the way they lift her up and are there for her (and how she's there for them, too), it really is relationship goals.
I enjoyed them falling in love - there's some really sweet and spicy scenes of her getting to know them, together and separate - but their romance did feel very fast-paced/insta-love at times with the depth of their emotions, and that (along with some of the plot points and dialogue) pulled me out the story. But this book does handles a lot of tough topics in a really thoughtful way, and there were a lot of moments (especially at the end) that had me choked up while reading.
If you are a book girlie who love protective MMCs and the FMCs that will do anything for them, then you're going to love this. 💖
Tropes & Tags:
📖 sports romance
🏒 hockey players x writer
💖 why choose / MMF romance
📖 pcos rep
🏒small town
💖 friends to lovers
📖 protective mmcs
This book covered some heavier themes than I was expecting, so some addtl warning tags:
[I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, thank you so much Meadow Thompson & Luna Literary Management! 📖]
Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Ready to write her second book, Fawn gets the chance to sit in on the local hockey team's practice and interview their players. Along the way, she feels a connection to two of them - the golden retriever Dylan Crawley and the brooding Torin Anderson - and it turns out, that they feel that connection as well.
The storyline in this drew me to it, what is better than a romance writer falling in love with her inspiration? Fawn was so sweet and has been through so much - I loved that she caught both Dylan and Torin's eyes right away and the moments when they were so protective had my heart. You can really feel how much they loved and wanted to be with her, and how it's never a question for them that she can have them both. And the way they lift her up and are there for her (and how she's there for them, too), it really is relationship goals.
I enjoyed them falling in love - there's some really sweet and spicy scenes of her getting to know them, together and separate - but their romance did feel very fast-paced/insta-love at times with the depth of their emotions, and that (along with some of the plot points and dialogue) pulled me out the story. But this book does handles a lot of tough topics in a really thoughtful way, and there were a lot of moments (especially at the end) that had me choked up while reading.
If you are a book girlie who love protective MMCs and the FMCs that will do anything for them, then you're going to love this. 💖
Tropes & Tags:
📖 sports romance
🏒 hockey players x writer
💖 why choose / MMF romance
📖 pcos rep
🏒small town
💖 friends to lovers
📖 protective mmcs
This book covered some heavier themes than I was expecting, so some addtl warning tags:
[I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, thank you so much Meadow Thompson & Luna Literary Management! 📖]
March 31, 2026
ARC REVIEW
4⭐️
"Us three. The three of us. Always."
Such an amazing debut sports romance novel from Meadow Thompson!
It had me hooked from the beginning and I couldn't put it down!
Fawn is a romance author who is trying to write a hockey romance, even tho she knows absolutely nothing about hockey. So she heads to the local ice rink to do research. At the rink she meets Dylan and Torin, two players on the hockey team Fawn is doing research on.
The characters are so relatable, i couldn't help but feel their joy and pain. They have such an emotional chemistry and Dylan, Torin and Fawn support each other through the good and the bad, while bringing out the best version of one another.
The burn in this story might be slow, but when it hits, it hits HARD. The story had me smiling from beginning to end.
The love, protection and growth were all done so wonderfully! This story is all about healing, love and finding the people who will support you and be there for you no matter how dark your days might be.
_______________________________________________________
WHAT TO EXPECT:
📖 Why Choose
🏒 Ice Hockey Players x Writer
📖 Small Town
🏒 Slow Burn, but when it hits - IT HITS!
📖 Protective MMCs
🏒 PCOS Rep
📖 Friends to Lovers
🏒 Golden Retriever x Grumpy Mysterious MMCs
📖 Aftercare Kings
_______________________________________________________
📚 SYNOPSIS 📚
Ivywood is everything a small town should be: a sparkling lake, towering trees, and one of the best nursing homes around—it’s exactly what Fawn Higgins, a newly published author, needs.
Between caring for her grandfather and trying to write her next ice hockey romance novel, she has no room in her life for distractions.
That is, until two talented hockey players, Dylan Crawley and Torin Anderson, skate into her life. Intense and impossible to ignore, the two hockey players challenge everything Fawn thought she wanted.
As emotions simmer and tension builds, why choose when she can have both, right?
_______________________________________________________
Thank you so much Luna Literary Management & author Meadow Thompson for sending me the e-ARC
4⭐️
"Us three. The three of us. Always."
Such an amazing debut sports romance novel from Meadow Thompson!
It had me hooked from the beginning and I couldn't put it down!
Fawn is a romance author who is trying to write a hockey romance, even tho she knows absolutely nothing about hockey. So she heads to the local ice rink to do research. At the rink she meets Dylan and Torin, two players on the hockey team Fawn is doing research on.
The characters are so relatable, i couldn't help but feel their joy and pain. They have such an emotional chemistry and Dylan, Torin and Fawn support each other through the good and the bad, while bringing out the best version of one another.
The burn in this story might be slow, but when it hits, it hits HARD. The story had me smiling from beginning to end.
The love, protection and growth were all done so wonderfully! This story is all about healing, love and finding the people who will support you and be there for you no matter how dark your days might be.
_______________________________________________________
WHAT TO EXPECT:
📖 Why Choose
🏒 Ice Hockey Players x Writer
📖 Small Town
🏒 Slow Burn, but when it hits - IT HITS!
📖 Protective MMCs
🏒 PCOS Rep
📖 Friends to Lovers
🏒 Golden Retriever x Grumpy Mysterious MMCs
📖 Aftercare Kings
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📚 SYNOPSIS 📚
Ivywood is everything a small town should be: a sparkling lake, towering trees, and one of the best nursing homes around—it’s exactly what Fawn Higgins, a newly published author, needs.
Between caring for her grandfather and trying to write her next ice hockey romance novel, she has no room in her life for distractions.
That is, until two talented hockey players, Dylan Crawley and Torin Anderson, skate into her life. Intense and impossible to ignore, the two hockey players challenge everything Fawn thought she wanted.
As emotions simmer and tension builds, why choose when she can have both, right?
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Thank you so much Luna Literary Management & author Meadow Thompson for sending me the e-ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Between the Pages and the Rink is a slow burn, why choose hockey romance. The beginning of the book started off with Fawn doing research for her upcoming novel. To do this, she reached out the local hockey team coach to sit in on practices and interview some of the players. The first day she went to practice, two players, Dylan Crawley and Torin Anderson caught her eye. After some brief interaction with them, she's invited out to the bar where things get tense for Fawn as her ex boyfriend shows up. Both Dylan and Torin help defend her. After that night, the friendship between them seems to move pretty quickly and I felt that the romantic relationship that did eventually form between Fawn, Dylan, and Torin was genuine. The communication between Dylan and Torin regarding their feelings for Fawn was awesome and I felt that both proved to be attentive to Fawn equally.
While I did enjoy the romance in it, one part that I found I wanted more information on was Dylan and Torin's own attraction to one another. It's touched on briefly, but all I know is that I wanted more details while reading. While I get that the book is "why choose", I was wondering if the moments between just the two of them was a "bi-awakening" moment for them. Either way, I felt that this added more meaning to how important Torin and Dylan were to each other. I also felt that them having each other was good for when the relationship became complicated with Fawn.
The part that made me sad was Fawn's grandfather being in the nursing home as my grandfather is currently in a nursing home due to dementia This part definitely added a personal aspect to it.
Overall, this book was a 4/5 for me, 2/5 for spice. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy reading why choose romance, love triangle, mm intimacy (there's very little besides kissing and some grinding), hockey romances, and romantic suspense. There is also PCOS representation for readers who experience that on a daily basis.
Thank you Joffe Books & Meadow Thompson for the review copy. All opinions are my own.
While I did enjoy the romance in it, one part that I found I wanted more information on was Dylan and Torin's own attraction to one another. It's touched on briefly, but all I know is that I wanted more details while reading. While I get that the book is "why choose", I was wondering if the moments between just the two of them was a "bi-awakening" moment for them. Either way, I felt that this added more meaning to how important Torin and Dylan were to each other. I also felt that them having each other was good for when the relationship became complicated with Fawn.
The part that made me sad was Fawn's grandfather being in the nursing home as my grandfather is currently in a nursing home due to dementia This part definitely added a personal aspect to it.
Overall, this book was a 4/5 for me, 2/5 for spice. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy reading why choose romance, love triangle, mm intimacy (there's very little besides kissing and some grinding), hockey romances, and romantic suspense. There is also PCOS representation for readers who experience that on a daily basis.
Thank you Joffe Books & Meadow Thompson for the review copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Fawn is a romance author trying to write a hockey romance… despite knowing absolutely nothing about hockey. So naturally she heads to the local ice rink for “research,” where she meets Dylan and Torin! Two players who end up turning her world completely upside down!
I adored Fawn! She’s guarded, hurting, and trying to rebuild her life piece by piece. She’s also deeply insecure and struggles to see her own worth after everything she’s been through which a lot of us can relate too! You can feel how hard she’s trying to protect her heart and stay in control. Watching her slowly start to trust again, open up, & begin to see herself the way the boys see her was honestly so beautiful.
Dylan and Torin were everythinggg! Polar opposites but somehow works! Dyl is the charming, cocky captain who makes Fawn laugh, teases her mercilessly and keeps her safe! While grumpy Tor shows his care in the quietest, most intense ways, always there when she needs him. I was swooning, melting and yelling at the pages the entire time!
When they decide they’re not competing… but sharing? I was SCREAMING! The spice?? I was sweating, blushing, and clutching my imaginary pearls every other chapter!! Dylan and Torin together is actually unfair because the tension, the possessiveness, and the way they both want her had me fanning myself. 🔥
This sucked me right in and I loved being in Ivywood with these 3! It was SO EASY to fall in love with all of them! This book had me smiling and grinning almost the entire time and then crying by the end!! This touches on a lot of heavier topics, PCOS, dementia, PTSD, depression to name a few! It made these characters so layered and relatable. The love, the protection, the growth? it was all done so wonderfully! Meadow absolutely killed this, I would never believe this was a debut book! I will definitely be reading more of whatever she writes!! This book is all about healing, love,l and finding the people who refuse to let you break. I loved this story so much and I’m honestly still recovering from the emotional damage 😅
I adored Fawn! She’s guarded, hurting, and trying to rebuild her life piece by piece. She’s also deeply insecure and struggles to see her own worth after everything she’s been through which a lot of us can relate too! You can feel how hard she’s trying to protect her heart and stay in control. Watching her slowly start to trust again, open up, & begin to see herself the way the boys see her was honestly so beautiful.
Dylan and Torin were everythinggg! Polar opposites but somehow works! Dyl is the charming, cocky captain who makes Fawn laugh, teases her mercilessly and keeps her safe! While grumpy Tor shows his care in the quietest, most intense ways, always there when she needs him. I was swooning, melting and yelling at the pages the entire time!
When they decide they’re not competing… but sharing? I was SCREAMING! The spice?? I was sweating, blushing, and clutching my imaginary pearls every other chapter!! Dylan and Torin together is actually unfair because the tension, the possessiveness, and the way they both want her had me fanning myself. 🔥
This sucked me right in and I loved being in Ivywood with these 3! It was SO EASY to fall in love with all of them! This book had me smiling and grinning almost the entire time and then crying by the end!! This touches on a lot of heavier topics, PCOS, dementia, PTSD, depression to name a few! It made these characters so layered and relatable. The love, the protection, the growth? it was all done so wonderfully! Meadow absolutely killed this, I would never believe this was a debut book! I will definitely be reading more of whatever she writes!! This book is all about healing, love,l and finding the people who refuse to let you break. I loved this story so much and I’m honestly still recovering from the emotional damage 😅
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