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The Rivalry Reset
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Expected 5 Jan 27Win a free print copy of this book!
3 days and 23:10:51
12 copies available
U.S. only
A hockey broadcaster’s world is upended when her insufferable cohost wakes up with amnesia, and hopelessly in love with her, in this unforgettable romantic comedy from the international bestselling author of Set on You.
Marnie Miller loves her job as a broadcaster on the iconic Hockey Nation postgame show. She’s sharp, polished, and used to being underestimated. But nothing tests her composure like former NHL defenseman Parker Landry, whose blunt commentary and massive ego ignite a fiery on-air feud.
When a freak Zamboni accident lands Parker in the hospital with a head injury, he wakes up with no memory of Marnie and their rivalry. Now, Parker 2.0 is infuriatingly charming, devastatingly flirty, and head over skates for Marnie. Determined to snap him out of it, she makes it her mission to remind him why they can’t stand each other.
But the more time they spend together, the more Marnie realizes the line between love and hate is razor-thin—and that maybe they’ve been playing on the wrong side of it all along.
Marnie Miller loves her job as a broadcaster on the iconic Hockey Nation postgame show. She’s sharp, polished, and used to being underestimated. But nothing tests her composure like former NHL defenseman Parker Landry, whose blunt commentary and massive ego ignite a fiery on-air feud.
When a freak Zamboni accident lands Parker in the hospital with a head injury, he wakes up with no memory of Marnie and their rivalry. Now, Parker 2.0 is infuriatingly charming, devastatingly flirty, and head over skates for Marnie. Determined to snap him out of it, she makes it her mission to remind him why they can’t stand each other.
But the more time they spend together, the more Marnie realizes the line between love and hate is razor-thin—and that maybe they’ve been playing on the wrong side of it all along.
384 pages, Paperback
Expected publication December 8, 2026
About the author
Amy Lea
8 books3,214 followersAmy Lea is the international bestselling author of romantic comedies for adults and teens, including Set on You, Exes and O’s, and Mindy Kaling’s Book Studio selection Woke Up Like This.
Her acclaimed works have been featured in USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, Cosmopolitan, Elle Magazine and has been long listed as a CBC Canada Reads finalist. They have also been optioned for film and sold to over a dozen foreign territories.
When Amy is not writing, she can be found fan-girling over other romance books on Instagram (@amyleabooks), eating potato chips with reckless abandon, and snuggling with her husband and two goldendoodles in Ottawa, Canada.
Amy is represented by Kim Lionetti at BookEnds Literary Agency.
Her acclaimed works have been featured in USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, Cosmopolitan, Elle Magazine and has been long listed as a CBC Canada Reads finalist. They have also been optioned for film and sold to over a dozen foreign territories.
When Amy is not writing, she can be found fan-girling over other romance books on Instagram (@amyleabooks), eating potato chips with reckless abandon, and snuggling with her husband and two goldendoodles in Ottawa, Canada.
Amy is represented by Kim Lionetti at BookEnds Literary Agency.
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September 14, 2026· ˚ 🥅⊹ ⌇ pre-read
NHL defenseman who had a freak Zamboni accident and is now co-hosting a postgame show with his rival??? SIGN ME UP!
So happy I got the arc! Thanks Berkley
NHL defenseman who had a freak Zamboni accident and is now co-hosting a postgame show with his rival??? SIGN ME UP!
So happy I got the arc! Thanks Berkley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
this was my very first book by amy lea, and i really enjoyed it!
it delivers a fun, fresh take on the enemies-to-lovers and second-chance tropes, featuring great hockey-romance vibes.
the story centers around marnie and parker, whose on-air chemistry is sharp, chaotic, and genuinely funny.
when an amnesia twist leaves parker with no memory of their past feud and suddenly head-over-heels for marnie, it creates wonderful, slow-burn tension.
i loved watching marnie stay ambitious and confident while navigating both vulnerability and humor.
the witty banter and emotional growth make it a very entertaining read from start to finish.
it is cute, clever, and immensely satisfying. i definitely recommend checking it out!
a lot of thanks to penguin general uk and netgalley for sending me the earc of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!
it delivers a fun, fresh take on the enemies-to-lovers and second-chance tropes, featuring great hockey-romance vibes.
the story centers around marnie and parker, whose on-air chemistry is sharp, chaotic, and genuinely funny.
when an amnesia twist leaves parker with no memory of their past feud and suddenly head-over-heels for marnie, it creates wonderful, slow-burn tension.
i loved watching marnie stay ambitious and confident while navigating both vulnerability and humor.
the witty banter and emotional growth make it a very entertaining read from start to finish.
it is cute, clever, and immensely satisfying. i definitely recommend checking it out!
a lot of thanks to penguin general uk and netgalley for sending me the earc of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!
September 13, 2026
My favorite of Amy Lea’s books to date!!!
a really cute former NHL star & Olympian romance where they are co-anchors (on sports center style show) that can’t get along to save their life. Until the former NHL star gets amnesia & can’t stop flirting with her every breath 🙂↕️🙂↕️🙂↕️
fast paced, lighthearted
read it in less than 24 hours which gives it an auto 5 stars
a really cute former NHL star & Olympian romance where they are co-anchors (on sports center style show) that can’t get along to save their life. Until the former NHL star gets amnesia & can’t stop flirting with her every breath 🙂↕️🙂↕️🙂↕️
fast paced, lighthearted
read it in less than 24 hours which gives it an auto 5 stars
September 8, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC of this title releasing January 2027.
3.5/5
This is a sports-adjacent rivals to lovers rom com. Added tropes would be amnesia and workplace. A slow burn with a lot of great banter, well written with good flow. It’s a fun read. Only cons for me was a bit of lacking depth in the story and chemistry. I felt like as much as their love was growing, it was on such shaky ground that the conflict and miscommunication was frequently occurring. That being said, I love drama. But I wanted more of that loyalty and trust.
Marnie is used to fighting for her seat at the table. Even as a former gold metal Olympian, the world of hockey has always been a boys club. Now retired from playing, she’s moved into the journalist/commentator side of the sport she loves. Only to be faced with a lot of the same issues - her biggest one being her co-worker and fellow commentator - Parker. For some reason, he’s hated her since they first met, and the two do nothing but go head to head and bicker. But with the network they work for telling them to tone it down and get along or Marnie potentially will lose her job - what choice does she have. But when an unexpected accident happens that leaves Parker with amnesia, it’s a different blank slate than Marnie ever expected. Now, she gets to know an entirely different Parker. But with the network still on their backs and Parker’s memories slowly returning, is this a temporary truce or will the reset reboot their entire relationship.
3.5/5
This is a sports-adjacent rivals to lovers rom com. Added tropes would be amnesia and workplace. A slow burn with a lot of great banter, well written with good flow. It’s a fun read. Only cons for me was a bit of lacking depth in the story and chemistry. I felt like as much as their love was growing, it was on such shaky ground that the conflict and miscommunication was frequently occurring. That being said, I love drama. But I wanted more of that loyalty and trust.
Marnie is used to fighting for her seat at the table. Even as a former gold metal Olympian, the world of hockey has always been a boys club. Now retired from playing, she’s moved into the journalist/commentator side of the sport she loves. Only to be faced with a lot of the same issues - her biggest one being her co-worker and fellow commentator - Parker. For some reason, he’s hated her since they first met, and the two do nothing but go head to head and bicker. But with the network they work for telling them to tone it down and get along or Marnie potentially will lose her job - what choice does she have. But when an unexpected accident happens that leaves Parker with amnesia, it’s a different blank slate than Marnie ever expected. Now, she gets to know an entirely different Parker. But with the network still on their backs and Parker’s memories slowly returning, is this a temporary truce or will the reset reboot their entire relationship.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I had so much fun reading this one! The amnesia trope was new for me, and I found it really interesting to explore what someone actually forgets and how that affects them. I think the author did a wonderful job with it!
Parker and Marnie were everything! Their banter and chemistry had me giggling and kicking my feet. 🥰 I loved how Marnie took care of Parker. She’s so sweet, smart, and determined, and I loved seeing her hold her own in a male-dominated field.
And Parker… oh, he had me swooning! The way he sees Marnie and appreciates her made me love him even more.
Also, I loved Fran. 🐱
If you’re looking for a story that’s genuinely funny, with great chemistry and characters you can’t help but love, you need to read this!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Parker and Marnie were everything! Their banter and chemistry had me giggling and kicking my feet. 🥰 I loved how Marnie took care of Parker. She’s so sweet, smart, and determined, and I loved seeing her hold her own in a male-dominated field.
And Parker… oh, he had me swooning! The way he sees Marnie and appreciates her made me love him even more.
Also, I loved Fran. 🐱
If you’re looking for a story that’s genuinely funny, with great chemistry and characters you can’t help but love, you need to read this!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 4, 2026
❄️🏒THE RIVALRY RESET🏒❄️
ARC REVIEW
First I wanna say thank you so much to @berkleyromance and netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read an eARC of The Rivalry Reset by @amylea Thanks for letting me experience Marnie and Parker in advance.
RELEASES: JANUARY 5th ❄️
This was a FIVE STAR read for me. I give five stars to books that can draw audible reactions and rememberable emotion out from the pages and this did just that . .
LET ME TELL YOU! A time was had reading this book! From the beginning to the end it was hilarious banter and romance with a twist and I was eating it up! I can’t tell you how many times I laughed out loud because this was exactly like my sense of humor. The pace of this book kept it lighthearted and moving through their journey from rivals to lovers. I loved that there was time in between events that followed a realistic timeline. It gave their TENSION an organic feel.
Marnie Miller has a broadcasting job that she loves and is willing to battle for even if it means she is FORCED to partner up with the co-worker that she notoriously has a long standing RIVALRY with. Her Co-host Parker Landry who is also a retired hockey defenseman (NHL) and is just as mouthy and competitive ends up in a freak Zamboni accident. He wakes up with no memory of Marnie or their rivalry. Parker 2.0 is charming, down right flirtatious and Marnie’s goal is to keep reminding him of the reasons they don’t usually like each other. As she helps him through his recovery the line that kept them on opposing sides begin to blur. They skate that thin line between love and hate and find out it matters which side you’re on.
Marnie Miller: is sharp, fiery and obsessed with cherry cokes. My kinda woman ! She is also kicking butt in a male dominated field and able to hold her own. We love that for her!
Parker Landry: is blunt, protective and a charmer to all except Marnie. He’s navigating being a retired NHL defenseman. Even with the loss of his memories he doesn’t skate around how he feels!
I love that you get the representation of women in male dominated fields standing on business. I love the Main characters conversations ! You really get to know each character and connect with them because with each other they converse with no filter. Asking questions and telling each other personal stories. The transitional period between life changes and the highs and lows of navigating those challenges was so spot on and honest. Speaking of honesty, the chaotic family dynamic with each relationship having its own history/emotional pull and getting that EMOTION to be felt in less than 400 pages! Wow.This was a FIVE STAR read for me, with such a refreshing twist on a classic you can’t help but fall in love with a sharp romantic-comedy such as this!
ARC REVIEW
First I wanna say thank you so much to @berkleyromance and netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read an eARC of The Rivalry Reset by @amylea Thanks for letting me experience Marnie and Parker in advance.
RELEASES: JANUARY 5th ❄️
This was a FIVE STAR read for me. I give five stars to books that can draw audible reactions and rememberable emotion out from the pages and this did just that . .
LET ME TELL YOU! A time was had reading this book! From the beginning to the end it was hilarious banter and romance with a twist and I was eating it up! I can’t tell you how many times I laughed out loud because this was exactly like my sense of humor. The pace of this book kept it lighthearted and moving through their journey from rivals to lovers. I loved that there was time in between events that followed a realistic timeline. It gave their TENSION an organic feel.
Marnie Miller has a broadcasting job that she loves and is willing to battle for even if it means she is FORCED to partner up with the co-worker that she notoriously has a long standing RIVALRY with. Her Co-host Parker Landry who is also a retired hockey defenseman (NHL) and is just as mouthy and competitive ends up in a freak Zamboni accident. He wakes up with no memory of Marnie or their rivalry. Parker 2.0 is charming, down right flirtatious and Marnie’s goal is to keep reminding him of the reasons they don’t usually like each other. As she helps him through his recovery the line that kept them on opposing sides begin to blur. They skate that thin line between love and hate and find out it matters which side you’re on.
Marnie Miller: is sharp, fiery and obsessed with cherry cokes. My kinda woman ! She is also kicking butt in a male dominated field and able to hold her own. We love that for her!
Parker Landry: is blunt, protective and a charmer to all except Marnie. He’s navigating being a retired NHL defenseman. Even with the loss of his memories he doesn’t skate around how he feels!
I love that you get the representation of women in male dominated fields standing on business. I love the Main characters conversations ! You really get to know each character and connect with them because with each other they converse with no filter. Asking questions and telling each other personal stories. The transitional period between life changes and the highs and lows of navigating those challenges was so spot on and honest. Speaking of honesty, the chaotic family dynamic with each relationship having its own history/emotional pull and getting that EMOTION to be felt in less than 400 pages! Wow.This was a FIVE STAR read for me, with such a refreshing twist on a classic you can’t help but fall in love with a sharp romantic-comedy such as this!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED MARNIE AND PARKER!!! I was beyond excited to read The Rivalry Reset and it certainly did not disappoint. It had a little bit of everything I love: a memorable meet cute, forced proximity, amnesia, enemies to lovers, witty banter, and SO much yearning.
I truly loved the Hockey Nation show and found myself constantly drawing parallels to the Sportsnet hockey panel. You could feel the tension between Marnie and Parker from the beginning, and their banter and witty comebacks were so much fun. But what I loved most was their relationship. There was such a softness and endearing quality to them that I adored, especially as a juxtaposition to two powerful former hockey players. Watching their rivalry slowly turn into friendship and then something more was so satisfying.
Parker’s admiration for Marnie had me SWOONING. I loved the way he saw her intelligence, passion, talent, and kindness, and the way Marnie cared for him despite believing he hated her. Their friendship became such a beautiful foundation for their romance, and the yearning was EVERYTHING.
As a Canadian with connections to women’s sports and media, Marnie’s story felt particularly meaningful to me. Her experiences were so valid, and I loved seeing the realities of being a woman in what can still feel like a very much boys’ club. I loved her passion for hockey, her knowledge, and her determination to keep showing up regardless of what people thought of her.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I truly loved the Hockey Nation show and found myself constantly drawing parallels to the Sportsnet hockey panel. You could feel the tension between Marnie and Parker from the beginning, and their banter and witty comebacks were so much fun. But what I loved most was their relationship. There was such a softness and endearing quality to them that I adored, especially as a juxtaposition to two powerful former hockey players. Watching their rivalry slowly turn into friendship and then something more was so satisfying.
Parker’s admiration for Marnie had me SWOONING. I loved the way he saw her intelligence, passion, talent, and kindness, and the way Marnie cared for him despite believing he hated her. Their friendship became such a beautiful foundation for their romance, and the yearning was EVERYTHING.
As a Canadian with connections to women’s sports and media, Marnie’s story felt particularly meaningful to me. Her experiences were so valid, and I loved seeing the realities of being a woman in what can still feel like a very much boys’ club. I loved her passion for hockey, her knowledge, and her determination to keep showing up regardless of what people thought of her.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really enjoyed this romance book, it's funny, it's sweet and the characters' development makes sense. I also love a "he falls first" / "he's secretly loved her all along" trope so this was perfect.
The Reset Rivalry follows two retired hockey stars, Marnie Miller and Parker Landry. Their first meeting is frosty to say the least, so years later when they meet again, Marnie and Parker instantly form a rivalry, both on and off air. They work for a show, Hockey Nation, where they discuss all things hockey. But Marnie struggles to be taken seriously, gets paid less than her male counterparts and is blamed whenever the show's popularity dips. In an effort to save her job, she agrees to attend a charity event with Parker, her nemesis. Only to watch him fall off a zamboni and hit his head, hard. He experiences amnesia and Marnie is the one to step up and look after him, but he's almost unrecognisable after his accident. Suddenly he's sweet and charming, complimentary and grateful to Marnie for her support. She can't help but be drawn to this new version of her co-host, and as they continue to spend more time together outside of work, sparks begin to fly...
I loved the commentary in this book about female athletes and the lack of investment in female sport, plus the way Marnie's parents' divorce was discussed felt nuanced and developed. Overall this was a really fun read and I devoured it in one day!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin UK for the eARC.
The Reset Rivalry follows two retired hockey stars, Marnie Miller and Parker Landry. Their first meeting is frosty to say the least, so years later when they meet again, Marnie and Parker instantly form a rivalry, both on and off air. They work for a show, Hockey Nation, where they discuss all things hockey. But Marnie struggles to be taken seriously, gets paid less than her male counterparts and is blamed whenever the show's popularity dips. In an effort to save her job, she agrees to attend a charity event with Parker, her nemesis. Only to watch him fall off a zamboni and hit his head, hard. He experiences amnesia and Marnie is the one to step up and look after him, but he's almost unrecognisable after his accident. Suddenly he's sweet and charming, complimentary and grateful to Marnie for her support. She can't help but be drawn to this new version of her co-host, and as they continue to spend more time together outside of work, sparks begin to fly...
I loved the commentary in this book about female athletes and the lack of investment in female sport, plus the way Marnie's parents' divorce was discussed felt nuanced and developed. Overall this was a really fun read and I devoured it in one day!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin UK for the eARC.
August 3, 2026
[4.25⭐️]
shout-out to Amy Lea for using one of my all-time fave fanfic tropes LMAO
I've been a somewhat reluctant fan of Amy Lea since her first book, which was chosen for a book club I'm in and I famously quite disliked, but she was just so charming in the author chat that I decided to give her a shot and continue reading her books. Her second book was a hit for me, the third not so much, then I REALLY liked the following one, and so on and so forth. All this to say I've BEEN reading Amy Lea books and can comfortably say this is my fave of hers so far (I haven't read SOMETHING LIKE FATE or THE BODYGUARD AFFAIR yet but they're on the schedule!) and I feel good about my commitment to reading all her works.
Davis you fucking bitch I KNEW I couldn't trust you the second I met you!!!
Corbin/Ethan novella WHEN!!!
Thank-you to NetGalley, Berkeley Publishing Group, and Amy Lea for the eARC!
shout-out to Amy Lea for using one of my all-time fave fanfic tropes LMAO
I've been a somewhat reluctant fan of Amy Lea since her first book, which was chosen for a book club I'm in and I famously quite disliked, but she was just so charming in the author chat that I decided to give her a shot and continue reading her books. Her second book was a hit for me, the third not so much, then I REALLY liked the following one, and so on and so forth. All this to say I've BEEN reading Amy Lea books and can comfortably say this is my fave of hers so far (I haven't read SOMETHING LIKE FATE or THE BODYGUARD AFFAIR yet but they're on the schedule!) and I feel good about my commitment to reading all her works.
Davis you fucking bitch I KNEW I couldn't trust you the second I met you!!!
Corbin/Ethan novella WHEN!!!
Thank-you to NetGalley, Berkeley Publishing Group, and Amy Lea for the eARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was fortunate to receive an early copy of The Rivalry Reset by Amy Lea from Berkley via NetGalley, and I really enjoyed this one! This is my first time reading anything from Amy Lea.
One of my favorite things about the book was Marnie. I loved that she was such a strong, independent, career-focused woman who knew what she wanted and wasn’t willing to lose herself for a relationship. I also really enjoyed the relationship between Marnie and Parker. Their dynamic was fun to read, but what won me over was Parker actually recognizing that he had been an idiot and had messed things up with her in the beginning. I always appreciate a love interest who can admit when he was wrong and put in the effort to make things right!
Overall, The Rivalry Reset was a fun, enjoyable romance with a heroine I loved rooting for and a relationship that kept me invested.
Thank you to Berkley for providing me with an early copy in exchange for my honest review.
One of my favorite things about the book was Marnie. I loved that she was such a strong, independent, career-focused woman who knew what she wanted and wasn’t willing to lose herself for a relationship. I also really enjoyed the relationship between Marnie and Parker. Their dynamic was fun to read, but what won me over was Parker actually recognizing that he had been an idiot and had messed things up with her in the beginning. I always appreciate a love interest who can admit when he was wrong and put in the effort to make things right!
Overall, The Rivalry Reset was a fun, enjoyable romance with a heroine I loved rooting for and a relationship that kept me invested.
Thank you to Berkley for providing me with an early copy in exchange for my honest review.
October 25, 2026
Amy Lea has been one of my favorite romance authors ever since her debut, SET ON YOU. Her books are filled with so much humor and heart.
THE RIVALRY RESET is an incredibly swoony and heartwarming romance. Two feuding hockey broadcasters have their lives turned upside down when one of them wakes up with amnesia and forgets that he hated his cohost.
The “new” Parker Landry is the perfect book-boyfriend, and the more I learned about him the more I adored him.
I loved how Marnie stepped right in to help Parker with his recovery. They had great banter, and it was easy to see how much they enjoyed each other’s presence.
THE RIVALRY RESET is the perfect mix of sports and romance, with two former hockey players forging their next chapter.
THE RIVALRY RESET is an incredibly swoony and heartwarming romance. Two feuding hockey broadcasters have their lives turned upside down when one of them wakes up with amnesia and forgets that he hated his cohost.
The “new” Parker Landry is the perfect book-boyfriend, and the more I learned about him the more I adored him.
I loved how Marnie stepped right in to help Parker with his recovery. They had great banter, and it was easy to see how much they enjoyed each other’s presence.
THE RIVALRY RESET is the perfect mix of sports and romance, with two former hockey players forging their next chapter.
September 24, 2026
3.75 rounded up! Okay so in fairness, I pretty much NEVER enjoy the amnesia trope (and usually DNF them, actually, if I even pick them up) and that’s just because they are SO unrealistic and not true to what actually happens in real life
There were definitely still inaccuracies in this one specific to the traumatic brain injury, recovery process afterwards, etc., BUT they did nail the long term memories being preserved and the more recent memory and day to day info having to be repeated, SO bonus points for that. Plus I was entertained :)
There were definitely still inaccuracies in this one specific to the traumatic brain injury, recovery process afterwards, etc., BUT they did nail the long term memories being preserved and the more recent memory and day to day info having to be repeated, SO bonus points for that. Plus I was entertained :)
October 20, 2026
Probably my favorite Amy Lea book yet! So much fun and I got sucked in fast, didn't want to put it down. There's a great setup, the animosity is fantastic, and then drama hits. Which is, of course, entertaining because who doesn't want some good romantic drama? But it then makes way for an absolutely adorable story. Both Marnie and Parker have so much heart and the way they build a new friendship is so sweet.
Of course, it's still rocky. There is a lot of uncertainty, both professionally and personally, the two are endlessly intertwined in this book. It's all about trust. And the depth and backstory is just enough to make the characters dynamic and interesting, serious but still lively.
I did have a very early copy, though, and there were some inconsistencies here and there that I hope will be cleared up before proper publication. And being a little nitpicky, there were a couple things toward the end that I would have wished were slightly different... but that's totally a me/preference thing.
Overall, there is a great balance. Sweet and heartfelt but also full of tension. Loved it and highly recommend.
* I received a free early ecopy from the publisher
Of course, it's still rocky. There is a lot of uncertainty, both professionally and personally, the two are endlessly intertwined in this book. It's all about trust. And the depth and backstory is just enough to make the characters dynamic and interesting, serious but still lively.
I did have a very early copy, though, and there were some inconsistencies here and there that I hope will be cleared up before proper publication. And being a little nitpicky, there were a couple things toward the end that I would have wished were slightly different... but that's totally a me/preference thing.
Overall, there is a great balance. Sweet and heartfelt but also full of tension. Loved it and highly recommend.
* I received a free early ecopy from the publisher
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a super cute read, my first ever Amy Lea novel! I absolutely loved the storyline with the amnesia 😍
It was a little bit on the slower paced side for me, I would have liked a faster paced storyline personally, however all in all I really enjoyed this read and I am super keen to read more from this author 😍
It was a little bit on the slower paced side for me, I would have liked a faster paced storyline personally, however all in all I really enjoyed this read and I am super keen to read more from this author 😍
September 9, 2026
3.5⭐️
This was an enjoyable read. Very easy to pick up even when life got in the way. It was my first amnesia trope romance in a while and I liked that it was Parker who had it and not Marnie. It added to the yearning. I love a yearner.
This was an enjoyable read. Very easy to pick up even when life got in the way. It was my first amnesia trope romance in a while and I liked that it was Parker who had it and not Marnie. It added to the yearning. I love a yearner.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love Amy Lea! Any time her books come out, I am so eager to read them!
In this book, we follow Marnie and Parker. both ex athletes battling it out at the commentator table in the world of hockey. Originally loved for having witty banter that borderlines argumentative, they are now being told to turn it down as to not irrate the viewers. While trying to figure that out, Parker has an accident with a Zamboni that knocks out two years of his most recent memories. Who is the only person to nurse him back to health? Marnie. From there, the story gets good.
Amy has a way with words, the story is engaging, fast paced and well worth the read. This book is out January 5, 2027-make sure you get your hands on it!
In this book, we follow Marnie and Parker. both ex athletes battling it out at the commentator table in the world of hockey. Originally loved for having witty banter that borderlines argumentative, they are now being told to turn it down as to not irrate the viewers. While trying to figure that out, Parker has an accident with a Zamboni that knocks out two years of his most recent memories. Who is the only person to nurse him back to health? Marnie. From there, the story gets good.
Amy has a way with words, the story is engaging, fast paced and well worth the read. This book is out January 5, 2027-make sure you get your hands on it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved this book so much. The plot was unique and not something I’ve read before. The banter between Marnie and Parker was fun. This is the first book by Amy I read and when I went to the bookstore, I searched the shelves and was happy to see multiple books of hers on the shelf, which will be added to my TBR.
Review of advance copy
No me gustó que se dejara de lado lo que Marnie está pasando con su carrera cuando paso el accidente de Parker. Se que se volvió a retomar en la parte final, solo que siento debió tener mas foco esa parte.
October 20, 2026
I really enjoyed this one! The amnesia trope is one of my favourites.
I loved Marnie’s journey throughout the book and there were so many sweet moments!
Arc from NetGalley
I loved Marnie’s journey throughout the book and there were so many sweet moments!
Arc from NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was pretty cute, and I liked Marnie and Parker a lot. I just think it had a bit of a pacing problem and maybe didn't embrace the premise quite as much as I expected/wanted it to.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC gifted in exchange for honest review
Please pay attention to the trigger warnings before diving into this book.
50 stars, no notes actually.
I have been a fan of Amy Lea for a few years now and I love her style of writing. That being said, The Rivalry Reset is hands down my absolute favorite. This book put me through the wringer emotionally and in my opinion, has done such a great job at putting the spotlight on the inequalities in how women are treated in the sports industry, from athletes to media. It was a difficult read at times because it made me so angry but that's the point. The issues that Marnie faces are issues that women in male dominated industries, particularly sports, face every single day. Marnie was an amazing hockey player, knew the game like the back of her hand, with incredible hockey intelligence and because of her gender and last name, was constantly treated like a nepo "diversity hire" by her colleagues, by the executives, and by the viewers. Amy did not shy away talking about the hard things, like how difficult it is to pursue a career in hockey as a female player, even with the rise of the PWHL.
Another thing that I really appreciated was Parker's backstory. He was raised by a single mother who sacrificed constantly so that he could pursue his dream. He spoke openly about how expensive hockey is, especially as you get older and move through the various leagues in pursuit of reaching the NHL. His championing the charity that quietly helped families who were struggling to afford the sport was so meaningful, and I loved how open he was about how the community often made him and his mum feel like charity cases by making a big deal of any financial assistance they received.
The sparks between these two were so electric, even before his accident. It truly speaks to Marnie's character the way she sat beside a man she was convinced hated her for hours on end as he lay unconscious in the hospital. She showed up for him through the entire ordeal, despite their pasts and his memory loss. The way they were able to form such a solid friendship as she helped him through his recovery was so heartwarming. I believe that the foundation of friendship was so instrumental in the development of their romantic relationship. I loved how Parker loved her before he even had the words to express it. How he was constantly in awe of her, her talent, her intelligence, her drive and discipline, and her kindness. How he embraced every part of her, and her crazy family so wholeheartedly. They were truly so good for each other and I was rooting for them so hard. I also love how he loved Fran, she was such a star in this story.
As for Davis, if that man has no haters, I cease to exist. He represents the worst kind of man, the self proclaimed "nice guy" when really he's just a slick slimy demon in sheep's clothing.
There is so much to love about this book, the romance, the found family, the complex family dynamics, the calling out of misogyny in the sports world, the delicious spice and of course, the sweetest sphynx around, Fran. This is truly a powerful story that is so much more than enemies to lovers' romance, and one that will be so deserving of the praise it will undoubtedly get.
Please pay attention to the trigger warnings before diving into this book.
50 stars, no notes actually.
I have been a fan of Amy Lea for a few years now and I love her style of writing. That being said, The Rivalry Reset is hands down my absolute favorite. This book put me through the wringer emotionally and in my opinion, has done such a great job at putting the spotlight on the inequalities in how women are treated in the sports industry, from athletes to media. It was a difficult read at times because it made me so angry but that's the point. The issues that Marnie faces are issues that women in male dominated industries, particularly sports, face every single day. Marnie was an amazing hockey player, knew the game like the back of her hand, with incredible hockey intelligence and because of her gender and last name, was constantly treated like a nepo "diversity hire" by her colleagues, by the executives, and by the viewers. Amy did not shy away talking about the hard things, like how difficult it is to pursue a career in hockey as a female player, even with the rise of the PWHL.
Another thing that I really appreciated was Parker's backstory. He was raised by a single mother who sacrificed constantly so that he could pursue his dream. He spoke openly about how expensive hockey is, especially as you get older and move through the various leagues in pursuit of reaching the NHL. His championing the charity that quietly helped families who were struggling to afford the sport was so meaningful, and I loved how open he was about how the community often made him and his mum feel like charity cases by making a big deal of any financial assistance they received.
The sparks between these two were so electric, even before his accident. It truly speaks to Marnie's character the way she sat beside a man she was convinced hated her for hours on end as he lay unconscious in the hospital. She showed up for him through the entire ordeal, despite their pasts and his memory loss. The way they were able to form such a solid friendship as she helped him through his recovery was so heartwarming. I believe that the foundation of friendship was so instrumental in the development of their romantic relationship. I loved how Parker loved her before he even had the words to express it. How he was constantly in awe of her, her talent, her intelligence, her drive and discipline, and her kindness. How he embraced every part of her, and her crazy family so wholeheartedly. They were truly so good for each other and I was rooting for them so hard. I also love how he loved Fran, she was such a star in this story.
As for Davis, if that man has no haters, I cease to exist. He represents the worst kind of man, the self proclaimed "nice guy" when really he's just a slick slimy demon in sheep's clothing.
There is so much to love about this book, the romance, the found family, the complex family dynamics, the calling out of misogyny in the sports world, the delicious spice and of course, the sweetest sphynx around, Fran. This is truly a powerful story that is so much more than enemies to lovers' romance, and one that will be so deserving of the praise it will undoubtedly get.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Marnie Miller is a former Olympic hockey player who now works as a broadcaster on the Hockey Nation post-game show. She loves her job, but there's one rather irritating downside. Parker Landry, a former NHL player with a massive ego and absolutely no filter. The two can't stand each other, and their on-air arguments have become something of a regular occurrence.
However, when Parker ends up in hospital following a rather unfortunate incident involving a Zamboni, he wakes up with a head injury and absolutely no memory of Marnie or their rivalry. Instead of the arrogant dickhead she's used to dealing with, Marnie suddenly finds herself faced with a ridiculously charming, flirty version of Parker who seems to have decided he's completely in love with her.
Naturally, Marnie decides she needs to remind him why they hate each other. Except the more time they spend together, the more she starts to question whether they actually hated each other quite as much as they thought.
I feel like the whole amnesia thing is one of those tropes that's really easy to get wrong in romance books, but I actually loved how it was done here.
I really liked both Marnie and Parker, and I felt like they were properly fleshed-out characters rather than just existing for the sake of the romance. Their relationship was really well developed, as were the relationships with the other characters, which I always appreciate.
I also thought the way Amy Lea handled the toxic treatment of women in male-dominated industries was really well done. It wasn't just thrown in for the sake of creating conflict, and I liked that it was explored throughout the story. I especially loved that some of the characters you initially thought were absolute dickheads actually turned out to be the good guys. I do love it when a book manages to change my opinion of a character without it feeling forced.
Now, the only thing that really threw me off was some of the kissing and sex scenes.
I don't know whether I was missing something, but I swear there were moments where they'd be standing there having a perfectly normal conversation and suddenly Parker would be biting Marnie's lip.
Hang on. When did we start kissing?
There's also a point where they're kissing and then she feels his breath on her neck. Sir, when exactly did you stop kissing her and move down there, please?
I know this is probably a ridiculous thing to get caught up on, but it happened enough that I kept noticing it, and it did take me out of the moment a little bit.
Other than that, I really enjoyed this book. I read it in one sitting, which is always a good sign, and I'd definitely read more from Amy Lea. This was actually my first book by her, so I'm quite pleased to have discovered another author whose writing I enjoy.
Also, completely unrelated, but this is now the second book in a row I've read with a blonde MMC and I haven't immediately thrown up in my mouth.
Am I evolving?
Anyway, really enjoyable read, great characters, a well-executed amnesia trope and definitely an author I'll be reading again.
Tropes:
- Enemies to lovers
- Colleagues
- Former NHL player MMC
- Former Olympic hockey player FMC
- Amnesia
However, when Parker ends up in hospital following a rather unfortunate incident involving a Zamboni, he wakes up with a head injury and absolutely no memory of Marnie or their rivalry. Instead of the arrogant dickhead she's used to dealing with, Marnie suddenly finds herself faced with a ridiculously charming, flirty version of Parker who seems to have decided he's completely in love with her.
Naturally, Marnie decides she needs to remind him why they hate each other. Except the more time they spend together, the more she starts to question whether they actually hated each other quite as much as they thought.
I feel like the whole amnesia thing is one of those tropes that's really easy to get wrong in romance books, but I actually loved how it was done here.
I really liked both Marnie and Parker, and I felt like they were properly fleshed-out characters rather than just existing for the sake of the romance. Their relationship was really well developed, as were the relationships with the other characters, which I always appreciate.
I also thought the way Amy Lea handled the toxic treatment of women in male-dominated industries was really well done. It wasn't just thrown in for the sake of creating conflict, and I liked that it was explored throughout the story. I especially loved that some of the characters you initially thought were absolute dickheads actually turned out to be the good guys. I do love it when a book manages to change my opinion of a character without it feeling forced.
Now, the only thing that really threw me off was some of the kissing and sex scenes.
I don't know whether I was missing something, but I swear there were moments where they'd be standing there having a perfectly normal conversation and suddenly Parker would be biting Marnie's lip.
Hang on. When did we start kissing?
There's also a point where they're kissing and then she feels his breath on her neck. Sir, when exactly did you stop kissing her and move down there, please?
I know this is probably a ridiculous thing to get caught up on, but it happened enough that I kept noticing it, and it did take me out of the moment a little bit.
Other than that, I really enjoyed this book. I read it in one sitting, which is always a good sign, and I'd definitely read more from Amy Lea. This was actually my first book by her, so I'm quite pleased to have discovered another author whose writing I enjoy.
Also, completely unrelated, but this is now the second book in a row I've read with a blonde MMC and I haven't immediately thrown up in my mouth.
Am I evolving?
Anyway, really enjoyable read, great characters, a well-executed amnesia trope and definitely an author I'll be reading again.
Tropes:
- Enemies to lovers
- Colleagues
- Former NHL player MMC
- Former Olympic hockey player FMC
- Amnesia
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Marnie Miller is a broadcaster on the Hockey Nation postgame show, and boy, does she love it… but Parker Landry (former NHL defense) really does test her patience, leading to a massive on-air clash.
Then Parker has a run in with a Zamboni and he ends up in hospital sporting (lol, yes I went there) a head injury. Parker has forgotten about their rivalry and now is completely enamoured with Marnie. Marnie, however, is not having that! She is determined to make him remember exactly why they don’t get on. But as time goes on, maybe she isn’t sure what side of the love/hate relationship with Parker she wants to be on…
The Pros:
1) The romance - I like how they are together and you really root for them
2) It’s actually a very Christmassy book (always a plus for me) so this would be a great winter read.
3) My favourite character? Fran, Parker’s cat! Plus he is so sweet with her. Love a cat daddy.
4) The story is set in Canada, and obviously there is Hockey involved 🏒
5) I like how things end up being resolved (no spoilers)
The Cons:
1) There is sexism in the workplace and similar themes - but it is an important issue and I’m always glad when it’s highlighted in books
The Quotes:
1) There’s a softness, a twinkle in his eyes. I love the way he looks at me, Parker 2.0. Like I’m something to be cherished. Protected. No one has ever looked at me like this before.
2) “You’re glowing, Marns.”
“I think I might have a string of twinkle lights stuck in my hair.” He laughs, shaking his head. “All of the thousands of lights on this tree are nothing next to you.”
3) “... Long-term resentment can rot you from the inside out if you let it.”
The Summary:
I was thrilled to see Amy Lea had a new book coming out, as I know I always have a great time reading her stories! The Rivalry Reset is no different, I adored it. Both the main characters are likeable (plus, come on, Fran the cat). The romance is sweet and the character arcs were truly touching. Whilst it’s not officially a Christmas book, it is set around Christmas and I’m a fan of a festive read - plus the setting in Canada (and the hockey) really helps with the holiday vibe. I found it funny that Marnie was so addicted to Cherry Coke (same girl). If you love a work place rivals to lovers trope, you should put this book on you TBR immediately.
Summed up in a sentence?:
Marnie helps work rival Parker after he has an accident and loses his memory
I rated the book 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5!
A big thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the free ARC. All opinions are my own.
Then Parker has a run in with a Zamboni and he ends up in hospital sporting (lol, yes I went there) a head injury. Parker has forgotten about their rivalry and now is completely enamoured with Marnie. Marnie, however, is not having that! She is determined to make him remember exactly why they don’t get on. But as time goes on, maybe she isn’t sure what side of the love/hate relationship with Parker she wants to be on…
The Pros:
1) The romance - I like how they are together and you really root for them
2) It’s actually a very Christmassy book (always a plus for me) so this would be a great winter read.
3) My favourite character? Fran, Parker’s cat! Plus he is so sweet with her. Love a cat daddy.
4) The story is set in Canada, and obviously there is Hockey involved 🏒
5) I like how things end up being resolved (no spoilers)
The Cons:
1) There is sexism in the workplace and similar themes - but it is an important issue and I’m always glad when it’s highlighted in books
The Quotes:
1) There’s a softness, a twinkle in his eyes. I love the way he looks at me, Parker 2.0. Like I’m something to be cherished. Protected. No one has ever looked at me like this before.
2) “You’re glowing, Marns.”
“I think I might have a string of twinkle lights stuck in my hair.” He laughs, shaking his head. “All of the thousands of lights on this tree are nothing next to you.”
3) “... Long-term resentment can rot you from the inside out if you let it.”
The Summary:
I was thrilled to see Amy Lea had a new book coming out, as I know I always have a great time reading her stories! The Rivalry Reset is no different, I adored it. Both the main characters are likeable (plus, come on, Fran the cat). The romance is sweet and the character arcs were truly touching. Whilst it’s not officially a Christmas book, it is set around Christmas and I’m a fan of a festive read - plus the setting in Canada (and the hockey) really helps with the holiday vibe. I found it funny that Marnie was so addicted to Cherry Coke (same girl). If you love a work place rivals to lovers trope, you should put this book on you TBR immediately.
Summed up in a sentence?:
Marnie helps work rival Parker after he has an accident and loses his memory
I rated the book 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5!
A big thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the free ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75⭐
I really enjoyed this overall, but I think I loved the first third considerably more than the rest of the book.
The setup was so fun. Marnie and Parker are co-hosts on a sports talk show, publicly cannot stand each other, and then Parker wakes up after an accident with amnesia and absolutely no memory of their rivalry. Instead, he’s suddenly charming, flirty and basically obsessed with her. Which, obviously, is a very good time.
I really liked the banter between them, I liked both characters, and I loved the Christmassy atmosphere.
After the first part of the book, though, I did feel like the pacing dragged a little and I kept waiting for the book to do slightly more with its own premise. Because so much is made early on of how publicly Marnie and Parker dislike each other, I expected a lot more of them interacting on TV once things started changing and more reactions from the people around them. Their relationship ended up feeling surprisingly insular considering their entire rivalry had previously been so public. People seemed to accept the shift between them very quickly, and I kept waiting for more disbelief, speculation, chaos, gossip…anything really.
That might partly be a case of my expectations not quite matching what the book wanted to be, but I definitely noticed myself waiting for that element.
I also don’t think I’d really call this enemies-to-lovers. Honestly, I’m not even sure I’d call it dislike-to-lovers. A lot of their supposed hatred ultimately comes down to miscommunication, which is fine, but I think it’s a bit misleadingly advertised.
There was so much potential for something really emotional and messy, particularly given the amnesia element, but at times it felt a little one-note and I was left wanting more depth from it.
There was a little continuity thing as well: Parker isn’t supposed to have screens for a while after waking up, but fairly early into his recovery Marnie FaceTimes him while she goes to feed his cat, despite the fact he’s explicitly not meant to be having screen time. That didn’t make sense to me.
Overall though, I did have a good time with this. The banter was fun, the festive vibes were lovely and I liked Marnie and Parker together. I just think the premise had the potential to give me a little more than it ultimately did.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this overall, but I think I loved the first third considerably more than the rest of the book.
The setup was so fun. Marnie and Parker are co-hosts on a sports talk show, publicly cannot stand each other, and then Parker wakes up after an accident with amnesia and absolutely no memory of their rivalry. Instead, he’s suddenly charming, flirty and basically obsessed with her. Which, obviously, is a very good time.
I really liked the banter between them, I liked both characters, and I loved the Christmassy atmosphere.
After the first part of the book, though, I did feel like the pacing dragged a little and I kept waiting for the book to do slightly more with its own premise. Because so much is made early on of how publicly Marnie and Parker dislike each other, I expected a lot more of them interacting on TV once things started changing and more reactions from the people around them. Their relationship ended up feeling surprisingly insular considering their entire rivalry had previously been so public. People seemed to accept the shift between them very quickly, and I kept waiting for more disbelief, speculation, chaos, gossip…anything really.
That might partly be a case of my expectations not quite matching what the book wanted to be, but I definitely noticed myself waiting for that element.
I also don’t think I’d really call this enemies-to-lovers. Honestly, I’m not even sure I’d call it dislike-to-lovers. A lot of their supposed hatred ultimately comes down to miscommunication, which is fine, but I think it’s a bit misleadingly advertised.
There was so much potential for something really emotional and messy, particularly given the amnesia element, but at times it felt a little one-note and I was left wanting more depth from it.
There was a little continuity thing as well: Parker isn’t supposed to have screens for a while after waking up, but fairly early into his recovery Marnie FaceTimes him while she goes to feed his cat, despite the fact he’s explicitly not meant to be having screen time. That didn’t make sense to me.
Overall though, I did have a good time with this. The banter was fun, the festive vibes were lovely and I liked Marnie and Parker together. I just think the premise had the potential to give me a little more than it ultimately did.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for sending out a widget on this. I would have never read it, but I am a sucker for amnesia injury romances.
With this book, you have two really well developed characters. A secret softie that overhears his soon-to-be female colleague trash talking his place as her new co-host for a show she worked hard to be a part of. Normally she is a nice person, but it so happens two years prior she had to interview him and he shot her down on live-tv. She never forgot it, and is using it as the reason to dislike him. He likes her from the moment he saw her but this puts him off and starts their animosity for two years.
During a charity outing he falls off a zamboni, looses the memory of the last two years (including their dislike for one another), and falls in love with her at first sight again. And so the rest of the book is her trying not to fall in love with him but finding it incredibly hard to.
I say again, I felt that these characters were well developed and fully visualized. Over the book, you meet her family, and you get to understand why she works so hard at her job, why she is very protective of her place in sports (as a female anchor) and her world behind the scenes of the show. With him, you understand he grew up poor and really is a sweet, genuine guy who reveals little pieces of who he truly is (and has always been) and she never really knew it.
The reason I knock it down a star is regarding his regaining of his memory. You never really get a clear indication of all his memories returning or not. It kind of just falls away from the story. But, I guess that's the realistic part of it, that some incidents don't have someone regaining their memories fully. This is me, though!
Oh, and there are two scenes with spice (which normally I avoid), but I felt they were earned and natural within the progression of the story. And, thank god that them sleeping together didn't cause a "I shouldn't have had sex with you" moment with the female (which is a cliche trope in causing conflict).
Note: This is also set around Christmas! Honestly, I'd like to see it adapted by Netflix or Amazon as part of their Christmas adaptations. It's that good.
With this book, you have two really well developed characters. A secret softie that overhears his soon-to-be female colleague trash talking his place as her new co-host for a show she worked hard to be a part of. Normally she is a nice person, but it so happens two years prior she had to interview him and he shot her down on live-tv. She never forgot it, and is using it as the reason to dislike him. He likes her from the moment he saw her but this puts him off and starts their animosity for two years.
During a charity outing he falls off a zamboni, looses the memory of the last two years (including their dislike for one another), and falls in love with her at first sight again. And so the rest of the book is her trying not to fall in love with him but finding it incredibly hard to.
I say again, I felt that these characters were well developed and fully visualized. Over the book, you meet her family, and you get to understand why she works so hard at her job, why she is very protective of her place in sports (as a female anchor) and her world behind the scenes of the show. With him, you understand he grew up poor and really is a sweet, genuine guy who reveals little pieces of who he truly is (and has always been) and she never really knew it.
The reason I knock it down a star is regarding his regaining of his memory. You never really get a clear indication of all his memories returning or not. It kind of just falls away from the story. But, I guess that's the realistic part of it, that some incidents don't have someone regaining their memories fully. This is me, though!
Oh, and there are two scenes with spice (which normally I avoid), but I felt they were earned and natural within the progression of the story. And, thank god that them sleeping together didn't cause a "I shouldn't have had sex with you" moment with the female (which is a cliche trope in causing conflict).
Note: This is also set around Christmas! Honestly, I'd like to see it adapted by Netflix or Amazon as part of their Christmas adaptations. It's that good.
September 13, 2026
4.5 stars rounded up. I loved this.
The Rivalry Reset is the second book I’ve read recently that kind of takes the idea of a “second chance” and puts a different kind of spin on it, and I really enjoy that. In this one, Parker gets a second chance to his approach with Marnie when a fall from a Zamboni resets his memory of the last two years.
Marnie is a former hockey player turned analyst on the biggest platform on national tv. As a woman, that naturally means she has to work 10 times harder to be taken seriously, despite her resumé, and behave above reproach at all times or find her seat in jeopardy. Of course, former NHL star, Parker, is across the table sparring with her and being praised as “passionate”. The book handles the disparity between the public perception and internal treatment of men and women in male-dominated fields really well and in a way that gets the point across meaningfully.
Marnie and Parker get a rough start when she first has to interview him on a particularly bad day and then again a few years later when he overhears her disputing his hiring as a new analyst. Parker reacts with his ego and pride on the line despite his admiration and respect for Marnie, which devolves into their contentious on-air battles. He gets his do-over when he wakes up in the hospital to Marnie by his side.
The way Marnie steps up to support Parker in the wake of his accident says so much about the kind of person she is. It’s really lovely to see the two of them get to know the true character of each other and how complementary they actually are as a pair. There’s a gentleness to Parker being able to express his awe and appreciation for Marnie and Marnie gradually lowering her defenses to see the Parker who’s been underneath the veneer. They become true partners and learn how to communicate without losing their spark and spirit of debate.
Thank you to Berkley for the eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Rivalry Reset is the second book I’ve read recently that kind of takes the idea of a “second chance” and puts a different kind of spin on it, and I really enjoy that. In this one, Parker gets a second chance to his approach with Marnie when a fall from a Zamboni resets his memory of the last two years.
Marnie is a former hockey player turned analyst on the biggest platform on national tv. As a woman, that naturally means she has to work 10 times harder to be taken seriously, despite her resumé, and behave above reproach at all times or find her seat in jeopardy. Of course, former NHL star, Parker, is across the table sparring with her and being praised as “passionate”. The book handles the disparity between the public perception and internal treatment of men and women in male-dominated fields really well and in a way that gets the point across meaningfully.
Marnie and Parker get a rough start when she first has to interview him on a particularly bad day and then again a few years later when he overhears her disputing his hiring as a new analyst. Parker reacts with his ego and pride on the line despite his admiration and respect for Marnie, which devolves into their contentious on-air battles. He gets his do-over when he wakes up in the hospital to Marnie by his side.
The way Marnie steps up to support Parker in the wake of his accident says so much about the kind of person she is. It’s really lovely to see the two of them get to know the true character of each other and how complementary they actually are as a pair. There’s a gentleness to Parker being able to express his awe and appreciation for Marnie and Marnie gradually lowering her defenses to see the Parker who’s been underneath the veneer. They become true partners and learn how to communicate without losing their spark and spirit of debate.
Thank you to Berkley for the eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 4, 2026
I received an ARC of The Rivalry Reset, and I had such a great time with it. The story follows Marnie, a former hockey player turned sports broadcaster, and Parker, the star athlete she’s spent years clashing with on air. After Parker is injured and wakes up with amnesia, he suddenly has no memory of their rivalry and instead feels an immediate connection to her. As he slowly pieces his life back together, the two of them start to rebuild something new: somewhere between their old grudges and the feelings that keep sneaking in.
One of the things I loved most was how much the book felt like a love letter to Hockey Night in Canada. I happened to finish it on the first Saturday it wasn’t airing, and it made the whole experience feel oddly nostalgic and perfectly timed. Seeing that iconic part of Canadian hockey culture woven into the story added such a warm, familiar touch.
I also adored the dynamic between Parker and Marnie. Even with the enemies‑to‑ever setup, you can tell right from the beginning that there’s something deeper simmering. The amnesia twist was genuinely fun, especially because Parker doesn’t reset every day. Instead, he slowly regains his memories in a way that feels authentic to head trauma, and that gives them space to get to know each other again. I loved watching Marnie rethink the things she thought she knew about him; it added a really sweet emotional layer to their relationship.
Another thing that stood out to me was the subtle commentary on being a woman in sports broadcasting, especially one who used to play hockey herself. It felt thoughtful and grounded, and it added depth to Marnie’s character without ever overshadowing the romance.
Overall, this was cute, heartfelt, and genuinely enjoyable. I liked it a lot and will definitely be recommending it to others who love hockey romances, rivals‑to‑lovers energy, and stories with a clever twist.
One of the things I loved most was how much the book felt like a love letter to Hockey Night in Canada. I happened to finish it on the first Saturday it wasn’t airing, and it made the whole experience feel oddly nostalgic and perfectly timed. Seeing that iconic part of Canadian hockey culture woven into the story added such a warm, familiar touch.
I also adored the dynamic between Parker and Marnie. Even with the enemies‑to‑ever setup, you can tell right from the beginning that there’s something deeper simmering. The amnesia twist was genuinely fun, especially because Parker doesn’t reset every day. Instead, he slowly regains his memories in a way that feels authentic to head trauma, and that gives them space to get to know each other again. I loved watching Marnie rethink the things she thought she knew about him; it added a really sweet emotional layer to their relationship.
Another thing that stood out to me was the subtle commentary on being a woman in sports broadcasting, especially one who used to play hockey herself. It felt thoughtful and grounded, and it added depth to Marnie’s character without ever overshadowing the romance.
Overall, this was cute, heartfelt, and genuinely enjoyable. I liked it a lot and will definitely be recommending it to others who love hockey romances, rivals‑to‑lovers energy, and stories with a clever twist.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🏒 Enemies to lovers w/ an amnesia situation
🏒he falls first
🏒strong FMC in male dominated space
🏒found family
🏒 witty banter
Okay so originally I wanted to read this book because I had previously read Amy Lea’s ‘Woke up like this’ and loved it. A couple chapters in, I worried that this was just that book but hockey instead of high school and it was a re-heated nachos type situation with the whole amnesia/forgotten memory thing.
But no, this book stands on its own. The way Lea writes is so bubbly and quirky and cute, perfect for her romcoms. I started this book and read it in a day or so because I couldn’t put it down.
Loved Marnie as the FMC. She’s confident and strong willed and someone you can really root for, especially as a woman in a male dominated field. I think most women who read this book with resonate with her.
And then we have sweet cinnamon roll Parker. How can you not love the guy? He obviously has it bad for the girl from the beginning even through all their bickering and “fighting”. I LOVE when an MMC loves the FMC for who she truly is. And the yearning…are you kidding me? Swoon.
Also, Fran??? We love a cat dad!
The dialogue and banter in this book was *chef’s kiss*. I could read the back and forth all day.
The miscommunication trope is done well. I find it super annoying when an author keeps using the miscommunication/misunderstanding trope to keep a couple apart. It really works in this book since it’s at the start of the story and the reason why they “hated” each other. It doesn’t keep happening to the point it makes it annoying. They talk it through and get through it.
Also felt very Christmas-y even though it’s not marketed as that. It just felt cozy and lighthearted and wholesome.
Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the free copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
🏒he falls first
🏒strong FMC in male dominated space
🏒found family
🏒 witty banter
Okay so originally I wanted to read this book because I had previously read Amy Lea’s ‘Woke up like this’ and loved it. A couple chapters in, I worried that this was just that book but hockey instead of high school and it was a re-heated nachos type situation with the whole amnesia/forgotten memory thing.
But no, this book stands on its own. The way Lea writes is so bubbly and quirky and cute, perfect for her romcoms. I started this book and read it in a day or so because I couldn’t put it down.
Loved Marnie as the FMC. She’s confident and strong willed and someone you can really root for, especially as a woman in a male dominated field. I think most women who read this book with resonate with her.
And then we have sweet cinnamon roll Parker. How can you not love the guy? He obviously has it bad for the girl from the beginning even through all their bickering and “fighting”. I LOVE when an MMC loves the FMC for who she truly is. And the yearning…are you kidding me? Swoon.
Also, Fran??? We love a cat dad!
The dialogue and banter in this book was *chef’s kiss*. I could read the back and forth all day.
The miscommunication trope is done well. I find it super annoying when an author keeps using the miscommunication/misunderstanding trope to keep a couple apart. It really works in this book since it’s at the start of the story and the reason why they “hated” each other. It doesn’t keep happening to the point it makes it annoying. They talk it through and get through it.
Also felt very Christmas-y even though it’s not marketed as that. It just felt cozy and lighthearted and wholesome.
Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the free copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for my thoughts.
This one was middle of the road for me! Surprisingly, I love an amnesia trope. In general, I really liked the set up and premise of this book. The fact that Parker was the one to lose his memory surprised me and felt like an interesting diversion on how I had expected the story to go. However, the book lost momentum for me around 30%. Tension? What tension? The stakes of this story felt so, so low. Marnie is essentially waiting for Parker to remember to be mean to her again but, Parker didn’t actually want to be mean to her to begin with. Their antagonistic history all centers around a brief, rude interview (Parker was having a horrible day) and then a bad, spur the moment comment that Parker reluctantly never corrected (he overheard something he shouldn’t have and reacted poorly). I don’t know… in my favorite portrayals of the amnesia trope, tension comes from the grief of all that was lost with the brain injury or the uphill battle the one who remembers has to fight to win back the affections/trust of the injured. This book didn’t choose either of those paths and that’s okay, but its low-stakes route really struggled to keep my interest.
A few more nitpicky things….
This description was terrifying:
“‘Look what the Zamboni dragged in.’ Marnie's voice zips down my spine like a skate blade.”
….this was said once Parker and Marnie were romantically involved and feeling good about each other. Her voice feels like a blade to your back?? Oh my. No, thank you.
Also, “Marns” as a nickname is not it. Not good, coach.
All in all, a little lackluster but not a bad book. If you are ready a big Amy Lea fan, I am sure you will enjoy this! I just had trouble buying into the story enough to really root for the characters.
This one was middle of the road for me! Surprisingly, I love an amnesia trope. In general, I really liked the set up and premise of this book. The fact that Parker was the one to lose his memory surprised me and felt like an interesting diversion on how I had expected the story to go. However, the book lost momentum for me around 30%. Tension? What tension? The stakes of this story felt so, so low. Marnie is essentially waiting for Parker to remember to be mean to her again but, Parker didn’t actually want to be mean to her to begin with. Their antagonistic history all centers around a brief, rude interview (Parker was having a horrible day) and then a bad, spur the moment comment that Parker reluctantly never corrected (he overheard something he shouldn’t have and reacted poorly). I don’t know… in my favorite portrayals of the amnesia trope, tension comes from the grief of all that was lost with the brain injury or the uphill battle the one who remembers has to fight to win back the affections/trust of the injured. This book didn’t choose either of those paths and that’s okay, but its low-stakes route really struggled to keep my interest.
A few more nitpicky things….
This description was terrifying:
“‘Look what the Zamboni dragged in.’ Marnie's voice zips down my spine like a skate blade.”
….this was said once Parker and Marnie were romantically involved and feeling good about each other. Her voice feels like a blade to your back?? Oh my. No, thank you.
Also, “Marns” as a nickname is not it. Not good, coach.
All in all, a little lackluster but not a bad book. If you are ready a big Amy Lea fan, I am sure you will enjoy this! I just had trouble buying into the story enough to really root for the characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was a huge fan of Ex's and O's, so the moment I saw Amy Lea's name on NetGalley, I requested without a second thought.
I'll admit I went in cautious, hockey romances are absolutely everywhere right now, and I tend to steer clear, but the premise of the leads being sports broadcasters rather than players hooked me immediately, and the banter that dynamic creates did not disappoint.
Parker and Marnie do not get along. They argue at every given opportunity, which gets them hauled before the bosses and assigned a charity event to try and sort themselves out. Except Parker walks straight into a freak Zamboni accident and loses the last two years of his memory. Including Marnie.
With no family to speak of, Parker would be facing his recovery entirely alone, if Marnie didn't quietly decide to step up. Helping him with his cat, helping him navigate a flat that suddenly feels brand new, helping him piece together a life he can't remember. And with each day, they grow closer, and Marnie starts to see a side of Parker she's never encountered before.
The Rivalry Reset is a fun, easy, genuinely adorable read. Amnesia isn't a trope I usually gravitate toward, but paired with Parker it was completely swoony. Watching these two grow closer worked beautifully, though Marnie's trust issues with Parker felt like a sticking point at times, and the fallout in the broadcasting studio didn't quite land for me either. I'm not sure the path both of them choose makes complete sense when there was a simpler resolution sitting right there.
The epilogue, however, made up for a lot.
Special mention: the sheer, relentless, wonderful yearning Parker brings to every single page. That man.
I'll admit I went in cautious, hockey romances are absolutely everywhere right now, and I tend to steer clear, but the premise of the leads being sports broadcasters rather than players hooked me immediately, and the banter that dynamic creates did not disappoint.
Parker and Marnie do not get along. They argue at every given opportunity, which gets them hauled before the bosses and assigned a charity event to try and sort themselves out. Except Parker walks straight into a freak Zamboni accident and loses the last two years of his memory. Including Marnie.
With no family to speak of, Parker would be facing his recovery entirely alone, if Marnie didn't quietly decide to step up. Helping him with his cat, helping him navigate a flat that suddenly feels brand new, helping him piece together a life he can't remember. And with each day, they grow closer, and Marnie starts to see a side of Parker she's never encountered before.
The Rivalry Reset is a fun, easy, genuinely adorable read. Amnesia isn't a trope I usually gravitate toward, but paired with Parker it was completely swoony. Watching these two grow closer worked beautifully, though Marnie's trust issues with Parker felt like a sticking point at times, and the fallout in the broadcasting studio didn't quite land for me either. I'm not sure the path both of them choose makes complete sense when there was a simpler resolution sitting right there.
The epilogue, however, made up for a lot.
Special mention: the sheer, relentless, wonderful yearning Parker brings to every single page. That man.
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