The Rivalry Reset

by Amy Lea

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.

Genres: Romance, Sports Romance, Sports, Adult, Adult Fiction, Hockey Romance, Contemporary

384 pages, Paperback

Expected publication December 8, 2026

About the author

Amy 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.

Reviews

[Grace Quan]

· ˚ 🥅⊹ ⌇ 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

[fromthestudyof]

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

[Amanda Blanche]

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.

[Evie]

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.

[JVO]

[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!

[Bella Higgins]

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.

[Dominique Franklin]

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.

[CrazyCatLadyReadsBooks]

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.

[Carley Lightfoot]

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.

[Nicole]

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.

[Kelsey]

🏒❄️🎙️❤️

Marnie Miller is an established hockey broadcaster for the popular Hockey Nation. She’s constantly underestimated being a woman in the field. But that doesn’t stop her from talking about the thing she loves the most. Parker Landry is a former NHL player and a co-host on the show. He’s obviously well known because of that and for his to the point commentary. Marnie and Parker have an on air feud that keeps being fueled. Until Parker has an accident with a zamboni and wakes up with amnesia. He doesn’t remember anything from the past two years including his rivalry with Marnie. In fact, he’s actually super nice and even a little bit flirty with her. Marnie is thrown off by this and tries to remind him they hate each other. Being that her job was already on the line prior to this happening, Marnie helps Parker transition back to everyday life and is trying to see if anything sparks his memory. Constantly reminding him hate each other, although she doesn’t totally dislike the “new” Parker. As his memory comes back, Parker begins to wonder why he would ever hate her. Marnie is scared that if he remembers, they’ll go back to how they used to be. Maybe there was never true hatred involved between Marnie and Parker because when they realize that, there’s no going back.

I got to read this book early through winning a signed copy from the author (literally so cool). I love any books that include sports romances. I liked getting to know both Marnie and Parker as individuals because they both have so many layers. As the book went on, those were uncovered through vulnerability. I think Marnie was such a powerful character because she was always being put down as a woman broadcaster. But it was even more amazing when Parker saw that she is truly amazing and good at what she does. That was a huge turning point in the story and I appreciated that they could be real with each other!

[Lindsey Domokur]

This book had me in a chokehold. I loved it. It put a spell on me and I didn't want to put it down. Marnie and Parker were work rivals, but more than that, Marnie was on the verge of losing her job because of the tension and fighting that they did on air. That is, until Parker falls and hits his head and doesn't remember anything. Marnie is there by his side because, obviously she is. He doesn't have anyone and he is being so sweet to her and she feels bad. This version of Parker she could be friends with and she is going to take it.
Parker doesn't remember Marnie, but he knows that he likes the way he feels when she is around. He can tell he never hated her so he is going to prove to her that he isn't exactly who she thought he was. As his memory starts to return she thinks he is going to go back to the old Parker, but after talking and realizing both of them might not have been seen in their best moments, she starts to think that maybe there is more to him than she thought.
I think this book had the heart of another book I love so it really captured me. The tension between the two of them popped off the page and Parker was the absolute sweetest, with his cat in the stroller. Ugh. This will be a book I reread for sure.

[Jenn]

The ultimate enemies-to-lovers story, The Rivalry Reset is set in the world of professional hockey commentary and the sparks are flying! Marnie is a retired Olympian (Gold. Hockey. Twice.) working as a commentator for pro hockey. Parker is a retired pro hockey player who joined the same show with Marnie and they've been a thorn in each other's side ever since. But after Parker falls off a zamboni at a charity event and forgets the last two years...and Marnie. Despite the rivalry, Marnie is there for Parker every step of the way. Can they, in the process, put aside their differences and become friends? And what about when Parker's memory comes back and he remembers how much he hated Marnie? And is that even true? Lea's hockey romcom even made this non sports lover swoon.

Because it wouldn't be me if I didn't have a criticism, the screen thing needs to be fixed. He's still in the hospital and has to avoid screens, right? Then she goes to his apartment for his cat and she's facetiming him. Quickly, it goes back to no screens again. And the no screen thing wasn't just a throwaway comment, mentioned rarely. It's brought up a LOT!

[Skye]

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I see "enemies to lovers" and I must read it. Marnie was a former gold medalist Olympian and hockey player, which was refreshing because I've read so many hockey romances where the female lead is either an ice skater or a non-hockey childhood friend. Parker, a former NHL player, getting amnesia from a slow moving Zamboni freak accident was ridiculous but totally worked for the plot. I didn't expect a spoiled hairless cat, but it somehow made Parker endearing if not a little cheesy. The romance was sweet without being too over the top. I enjoyed the bickering and banter, but also appreciated how they communicated with each other and respecting boundaries. No miscommunication trope here! My only issue was the pacing and the rushed ending. It didn't wrap up nicely and left all the subplots completely open. Overall, I liked it and thought this was a fun read.

[Rachel]

Marnie is an Olympic hockey player who has spent her career working twice as hard to be taken seriously in her sport. Now working for Hockey Nation, she finds herself paired with Parker, a former NHL player who comes in guns blazing and seems perfectly happy to argue with her on camera. But when Parker is injured at a charity event, Marnie discovers there’s more going on beneath the surface, and what she learns begins to change their relationship.

This book was a lot of fun! I loved that Marnie and Parker were both hockey players, which added another layer to their dynamic and made the tension between them feel genuine. Their chemistry worked for me both before and after the accident, and I especially appreciated the way the story explores how easily we can get in our own way when it comes to relationships.

The slow-burn romance felt well earned, the banter was top-notch, and I genuinely enjoyed watching their relationship develop. I’ll definitely be recommending this one to readers looking for a hockey romance that offers something a little different.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Danielle]

Marnie works for Hockey Nation and when she finds out they hired Parker, she is not happy. She had met him a few years earlier and tried to interview him, he was rude to her and she hasn't forgotten that. They argue and bicker when the cameras are rolling but soon that takes a toll on ratings. The boss man says they need to get along so they do publicity events. Parker cant understand why she hates him so much. At one event Parker gets injured and gets amnesia, so Marnie decides to help him remember... but Parker cannot understand why they don't get along. Can he convince Marnie for a new start even after he gets his memory back?

[Amy Escobar]

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.


weird as it is to say, it’s such a fun concept! Enemies to lovers when one experiences amnesia. It makes that character into a different version of themselves, so does it really count as enemies to lovers?
I really enjoyed the side characters and wished that there was continued series where we got to explore their stories deeper as well. First time reading a book by this author, thoroughly enjoyed ,would recommend.

[Miss Leabharlann]

*NetGalley ARC*

5/5 ⭐️

I absolutely fell in love with Marnie and Parker. This was a total 5 star read for me. It was sweet and emotional and I couldn’t put it down.

Marnie is a former Olympic ice hockey player for Team Canada. After an injury ended her career early, she became a sports journalist and worked her ass off to earn her place on the panel show discussing all things hockey. Parker is a retired NHLer who was offered a spot on the show when his career ended. Marnie and Parker definitely do not start off on the right foot when they start working together.

After Parker ends up with a concussion and amnesia, he wakes up thinking Marnie is his girlfriend and their relationship takes a complete U-Turn from that day on.

I loved how strong and soft Marnie was. She was a badass with an insane knowledge of hockey but she also loved to laugh, and stepped up from the start to help Parker recover.

The way Parker was all in on Marnie from the moment he woke up in that hospital bed was so cute to read. He truly could not imagine a world in which he hated her and knew no matter what he was going to charm her and win her over.

Overall, a really fantastic read!

[Olivia Blacke]

Enemies to lovers, rivalry to partners, & amnesia tropes set on the hockey broadcasting stage? YES PLEASE.

Whether you're looking for a comforting romance that tackles some serious, real-world issues (male-dominated sports, divorce, death of a parent) in a respectful way while still being highly entertaining, or you're just looking for a hockey fix while you're waiting for the season to start, THE RIVALRY RESET hits the back of the net. Even if you're not a sports fan, there's something for everyone to fall in love with in this HEA romance.

[Hannah Winegar]

Aside from her smarmy coworker, Marnie loves everything about her job as a commentator for Hockey Nation. At a fundraising event, an encounter with a Zamboni causes Pakrer to lose all memories of the last two years, including memories of Marnie and their indifference towards each other. Somehow, Marnie is the one there for Parker after his accident, and the more she learns about Parker, it's possible she hates him less.

I hate that I predicted the epilogue, but c'est la vie. I love Amy Lea too much to complain about much.

Thanks, NG!

[Megan Malone]

Sports romance perfection. 10 out of 10. No notes.

I loved the characters, their rivalry turned romance felt organic under the circumstances.

Pacing was good and never felt like there was a pause.

I will definitely be purchasing once released!

I will hear no criticism of this book. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing Group for the e-arc.

[Susan]

This was such a cute book! Parker & Marnie were great characters. I loved how the rivalry wasn't too much because sometimes I feel like that can be hard to come back from. The setting of this book was great as well. I love books like this that just make me smile.
I was provided an advanced copy of this book which has not affected my review.

[Ainsley Rymill]

3.5 ⭐️
I had fun reading this and loved that it was a semi-slow burn romance. I wouldn’t say it was particularly unique or groundbreaking in terms of hockey romance books, but it was definitely a cozy quick read perfect for any sports romance lover.

[Kerri Satterlund]

Cute quick read.

[Gretal]

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.

[Katelyn]

This one was just okay. Predictable and lacked some character development

[Megs]

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy!


This is my favourite Amy Lea book to date. Rivals to lovers sports romance with great banter and chemistry.

[Sarah Laughmiller]

Great story line. Funny with wonderful dialogue between the characters. I'm not a fan of so much cussing or the spice level. But, I was able to skip it easily. Thanks Net Galley for the arc!

[Danny Kearl]

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

This is the first book I’ve read by Amy Lea, and it definitely won’t be the last because I could NOT put this down!

Give me an enemies-to-lovers romance with a sprinkle of amnesia? Say less.

This whole story was pure perfection. I loved the characters, the romance and the world Amy Lea created, and now I just NEED more!

I would happily read more from this world and these characters. Please give me more immediately!