Dangle Café: A Sweet and Spicy Second Chance Hockey Romance

by Ella Apple

A Second Chance Hockey RomanceHe’s the toughest guy on the ice.
She’s the one woman who can still knock him off his game.

Skyhawks enforcer Connor LeBlanc is known for protecting his teammates and shutting down trouble before it starts. Fans love his grit. Opponents fear his right hook. But when it comes to Aimee—the woman he once let slip through his fingers—Connor’s confidence disappears.

Because she’s the one mistake he’s never been able to forget.

After a painful breakup and a series of false starts, Aimee is finally rebuilding her life. Her new job at Dangle Café is exactly the fresh start she needs—espresso foam art, friendly regulars, and a quiet life far from heartbreak.

Then Connor walks through the door.

The hockey star who once shattered her heart suddenly wants another chance. He’s still charming, still stubborn, and somehow even harder to resist than before.

Aimee knows better than to trust him again.

But between late-night coffee runs, Connor’s surprisingly tender side with the family he fiercely protects, and the sparks that still fly every time they’re together, keeping her distance becomes impossible.

When Connor’s high-pressure hockey career collides with Aimee’s fragile new beginning, they’ll have to decide if the past should stay buried…

or if some loves deserve a second shot.

Dangle Café is a cozy, sweet-and-spicy hockey romance filled with sizzling chemistry, protective heroes, found-family warmth, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

101 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 9, 2026

Reviews

[Carolee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ella Apple’s Dangle Café is a heartwarming addition to the Colorado Skyhawks Hockey Romance series. This second chance romance draws readers in with its compelling characters, authentic emotions, and the perfect blend of sweet and spicy moments. The story centers on Connor LeBlanc, the tough-as-nails enforcer of the Skyhawks, whose confidence on the ice contrasts with his vulnerability around Aimee, the woman he’s never been able to forget.

Aimee’s journey of healing and self-discovery culminates as she carves out a new life at Dangle Café. The café provides a cozy backdrop filled with espresso foam art, friendly faces, and a sense of found-family warmth. When Connor re-enters her world, the chemistry between them sizzles, and despite her reservations, Aimee finds it harder and harder to resist his charm and the undeniable spark between them. Their story is a testament to the courage it takes to give love another shot.

Dangle Café stands out for its strong writing, vivid portrayal of emotions, and the authentic connection between its characters. Ella Apple masterfully captures the tension between personal growth and the challenges of a high-pressure hockey career, culminating in a satisfying, happily-ever-after ending. Fans of romance—especially those who enjoy protective heroes and second chances—will find this book impossible to put down. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a heartfelt, uplifting read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marcia Gomes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dangled Café by Ella Apple was an enjoyable enough read, but it didn’t fully capture my interest. The cozy café setting was charming and created a warm atmosphere, which was one of the book’s strongest points.

However, I found the story somewhat predictable, and I struggled to connect with the characters on a deeper level. While there were a few engaging moments, I never felt completely invested in what was happening, and the plot didn’t leave a lasting impression on me.

I should also mention that I mainly read dark romance, so I may not have been the ideal target audience for this book. I tend to enjoy stories with more emotional intensity, tension, and complex character dynamics, whereas Dangled Café has a much lighter and cozier feel.

[Shannon Binegar-Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aimee is the one he let slip away. Now she is back and working at a local coffee shop. Can he win her back or will the past trauma be too much for her to overcome. So much emotion in this one. Many hurdles to overcome and forgiveness for wrong decisions. I absolutely loved this moving second chance romance. It is a great addition to the series. I realized that I missed books 2 and 4 in this series, so am anxious to go back and read them to fill in anything I missed. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by booksprout.

[C Faulkner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in February 2026 and I honestly don't remember how I obtained a copy other than I downloaded it via BookFunnel. I did see the book on a recent BookFunnel collection page (The Penalty Box which expires 31 Mar 2026) so perhaps I downloaded it from a prior BF collection.

I enjoyed this short second chance hockey romance which contains witty banter with humor.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an awesome book. I was in it from the beginning and didn’t want to stop reading it. The MMC is a great guy who cares about his family and even though things didn’t end the best the first time the main characters were together they were able to reconnect and create the future that they should have had the first time around. This will definitely be one that I read again.

[Krystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad story and while I am glad the author defined what dangle means in hockey terms, I don’t really understand it in the title. I guess I was expecting there to be more hockey in the book. Like more games, more practices, more time with the teammates, that kind of thing.

Overall the story was good and there was one sex scene so if that’s not your kind of story, just know that going in.

[Tracy Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Struggling barista, Aimee, moves back to her hometown and bumps into an ex, Conner. Conner is a well known hockey player now and is living the high life.
This story is a cute romantic story with a little bit of spice. I fell in love with all of the characters including the cat.