The Swan and the Sentinel: A Novel

by Bill Keenan

Genres: Sports Romance, Romance, Hockey Romance, Contemporary, Audiobook, Hockey, Sports

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 16, 2026

About the author

Bill Keenan is the author of the memoirs Odd Man Rush and Discussion Materials. Both were adapted into feature films, on which he served as co-writer and producer (ODD MAN RUSH and BULL RUN). His first two novels, The Swan and The Sentinel and The House on Ember Row, will be published in 2026. His debut play, Spin Cycle, premiered off-Broadway in 2025. After playing professional hockey in Europe for three years, he served as COO of Air Mail, the media company founded by Graydon Carter, from 2018 to 2025. He holds a BA from Harvard University and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Reviews

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75🌟, 3🌶️

This book surprised me in a lot of ways.

I expected a light hockey romance, but it felt more like a heartfelt story about ambition, identity, and finding your footing again when life doesn’t go as planned.

I really enjoyed Petra and Liam together. Their relationship develops through support, trust, and shared challenges rather than nonstop romance, which made their connection feel genuine. I especially loved how much respect the story had for both ballet and hockey, and how deeply those worlds shaped the characters and their journeys.

While there were a few moments where I wanted a little more emotional depth and a clearer sense of time, they didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment.

This was a sweet, uplifting story with lovable characters, plenty of heart, and a message about perseverance.

A thoughtful and heartwarming read that I truly enjoyed.

~~~~

Huge thank you to Bill Keenan, The Author Agency & NetGalley for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨

[Amber Brennan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honest review as an ARC reader

This one had so much potential! Initially, the idea of a hockey player and ballerina intrigued me. As the story went on, I felt disconnected from the characters and their “romance”. There were parts I enjoyed: the sister coming, moments with the niece, the comedic humor from the hockey team.

Unfortunately, I do not feel this one was for me but if you love hockey and ballet, this might be the perfect book for you.

[K.M. Higginbotham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure, I have an early copy of this book as I’m connected to the publisher!

This was a nice, easy read. Low stress. Closed door. A really wholesome romance and a nice character voice. A good palate cleanser!

There were definitely some moments where I craved more tension in various parts of the story—for that I’d probably dock 1/4th of a star, if we’re getting nitty gritty—but overall I think this book is kind of cozy, and we don’t get many romcoms from a male POV. Not to mention, Bill Keenan was a professional hockey player, and his wife is a NYC ballerina, so there’s so much realism attached to hockey and ballet in this. I found that aspect pretty interesting to read and it’s nice to think that some amount of this is inspired by their actual love story.

[chaptersandcheckups]

3.5⭐️

Honest Review of ARC received from Netgalley via The Author Agency!

So I loved the story and the basis of the book! An injured hockey player trying to make a comeback and stay relevant vs a prima ballerina trying to make it as a lead dancer without giving into the politics involved in ballet! I love a dual POV so was a bit caught off guard with the 1st and 3rd person POV mix.. there was great character growth for both MC’s!

When Liam LeClerc is told he has to attend a ballet to keep relevant while recovering from a hamstring injury, he takes his niece to the show and meets Petra Montgomery.. he notices her style and flow and how easy she makes it seem even though he realizes the effort she has to put into her dance..

Liam is desperate to play hockey which results in an unconventional way to train, ballet lessons!

The lessons bring Liam and Petra together pretty quickly, but she is offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to go to St Petersburg in Russia.. and has to leave the morning after his return game.. blessing in disguise, Petra’s sister gets accepted to Parson’s school of design and is coming to New York, leading to Petra giving up her dream and staying back.

Liam and Petra’s story and training continues. There is a short 3rd act breakup but when Petra needs a partner in her dream production, Liam is there to help.. but on the same night as the most important game.. 🩰🏒

Tropes:
🏒Closed door romance
🩰Opposites attract
🏒Forced proximity
🩰Career comeback
🏒Hockey romance

[p_a_u_l_a · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒘𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒍 𝒃𝒚 𝑩𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝑲𝒆𝒆𝒏𝒂𝒏 ✨
a heartwarming sports romance about healing, second chances and finding strength in unexpected places

⭐ 4 out of 5 stars | sports romance | hockey | ballet | healing journey | wholesome |

| Book Series: Standalone |
[ E BOOK ]
| advanced review copy|

⛸️ 𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙄𝙣𝙛𝙤
The Swan and the Sentinel by Bill Keenan is a sports romance that combines professional hockey with the world of ballet. The story follows an injured hockey player who turns to ballet as part of his recovery process and unexpectedly finds much more than physical healing along the way.

⛸️ 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮
Sometimes you pick up exactly the right book at exactly the right time.
After reading several fantasy books in a row, I was desperately in the mood for a sports romance, and this one sounded absolutely perfect. An injured hockey player learning ballet to help recover from his injury? I mean... how could I not be interested in that?
From the very first chapters, I flew through the pages. The writing was incredibly easy to read and the story immediately pulled me in. It was one of those books where you keep saying "just one more chapter" and suddenly you've read far more than you planned.
What I loved most was how refreshing the premise felt. Hockey and ballet are two worlds that seem completely different on the surface, yet the book brings them together in a way that feels natural and believable. Watching Liam navigate both his recovery and this completely unfamiliar environment was genuinely enjoyable.
And honestly, Liam was probably one of my favorite parts of the book.
I really liked the contrast between him and Garvin. On one side, you have someone who constantly seems focused on himself and his own needs, while Liam consistently thinks about the people around him. That difference became more noticeable the further I read and made certain scenes surprisingly emotional.
More than anything, though, this book simply made me happy.
There wasn't one huge moment that completely blew me away. Instead, it was the overall reading experience that worked so well for me. The romance was sweet, the sports elements were fun and the entire story felt comforting in a way I hadn't realized I needed.
It was exactly the kind of book I had been hoping to find after several disappointing reads. By the time I finished, I found myself thinking: *Yes. This was the four-star read I had been waiting for.*
The biggest weakness for me was definitely the conflict. It wasn't bad, but it felt like it existed mostly because romance books are expected to have one. The issue itself was understandable and fit the story, but the resolution happened so quickly that it never reached the emotional impact it could have had.
I also felt that some character storylines could have been explored more deeply. A few developments appeared and disappeared rather quickly, making them feel a little underdeveloped compared to the rest of the book.
Still, those issues never took away from my enjoyment. Even when I noticed them, I was having such a good time with the story that they became minor complaints rather than major problems.

⛸️ 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨
Liam completely won me over.
His kindness, patience and the way he genuinely cares about the people around him made him incredibly easy to root for. Watching him adapt to a completely different world while dealing with his injury added another layer to his character that I really appreciated.
The relationships throughout the story felt warm and supportive, and the character interactions were one of the main reasons I enjoyed the book so much.
---
⛸️ **Writing Style**
The writing style was smooth, engaging and very easy to binge-read.
I never felt like I had to force myself through a chapter. Quite the opposite. The pages flew by and I found myself constantly wanting to keep reading.
It's the kind of writing style that makes a book feel effortless to get through.

⛸️ 𝘾𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧
The cover fits the sports romance atmosphere really well and perfectly represents the combination of hockey and ballet that makes the story stand out.

📌 𝙋𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩
A sweet, comforting sports romance that reminded me why I love the genre. It wasn't perfect, but it was exactly the book I needed at exactly the right time.

💬 𝙌𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨
What is your favorite unusual sports romance pairing? Have you ever read a book that combined two completely different worlds and somehow made it work perfectly? 📖💚⛸️🏒

[Cheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

This author is not one I was familiar with, and I’ll get to how he ended up on my radar later in my review. I want to be clear that, as far as I can tell, this is the author’s first published Romance book. In my opinion, if an author is a debut author (or debut in the specific genre), it is always something to take into consideration.

I have been a hockey fan all of my life. Hard not to be when you grow up just outside of Detroit. Then I married a guy who played most of his childhood, and did rec leagues when our marriage was young. In most hockey romances, I have found a way to suspend my disbelief when an author takes creative license when it comes to the sport to further the story. It was refreshing to read a hockey romance where it was obvious the writer knows the sport inside and out. Don’t worry, he doesn’t get in the weeds with it. The hockey knowledge isn’t something that is harped on; it’s just obvious in Liam’s thoughts, actions, and all that was going on around him.

That being said, the end of this story fell apart for me. Again, I don’t have a problem when creative license needs to be taken, but the way the story went was bordering on bizarre. It may have worked for me if the whole story hadn’t been so spot-on regarding hockey. But going from that to a sharp right turn to not having anything resembling what would really happen in the situation presented took me out of the story. It may have also helped, timeline-wise, if the author had made it a fictional league and not tried to make it like it was the NHL.

Speaking of the timeline, I was never sure when things were taking place because there was no clear timeline to the story. In some ways, that seemed intentional. Liam and Petra were in a bubble of timelessness, while still going about their regular lives of practice and performance. Sometimes it worked, and worked well. Yet, when things came to a head at the end, that timelessness felt like it was an issue.

The story is mostly told from Liam’s POV. That is, Liam’s first-person POV. When it’s Petra’s POV, it’s generally third-person. And, surprise, we also get Liam in third-person at times. I don’t know if that’s intentional. Luckily, it didn’t disrupt the story flow…it just messed with my “ducks in a row” brain.

What is crazy is that I did enjoy most of this story. I liked Liam and Petra together and found Liam to be an amazing partner for her until he decided to keep a very dumb secret. That threw conflict in where conflict was not needed. I was invested in seeing how the pair worked things out. That is all mostly because the beginning works so well. I can see the author’s potential in the Romance genre, but he’s not quite there for me.

Now is where I tell you I found this author via a favorite hockey romance author of mine, Sawyer Bennett. My ebook had a book she co-authored on my suggestions, and I was curious since I didn’t know about this book. (Grizz, the first book in a new hockey romance series out in July.) When I looked Bill Keenan up, I found this book on NetGalley and thought I’d give him a go. Sawyer Bennett is one of my favorite, if not my favorite, hockey romance authors, so I’m trusting her with that new book. I’m looking forward to seeing this author grow in the Romance genre side of things, too.

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored The Swan and the Sentinel. This book completely swept me away and honestly surprised me in the best possible way. I went in expecting a sweet sports romance, but what I got was so much more. It was emotional, inspiring, beautifully written, and filled with two characters that completely stole my heart.

Petra and Liam were everything. I loved them individually, but together they were absolutely magic. They were both at a point in their lives where the thing that had always defined them suddenly felt uncertain, and watching them slowly help each other heal and rediscover themselves was such a beautiful journey.

Liam LeClerc was just perfection. Seeing this NHL player humbled by ballet lessons was equal parts adorable and hilarious, but what I loved most was his determination and willingness to step completely outside his comfort zone. He wasn’t afraid to look foolish if it meant fighting for his future, and the way he supported Petra and believed in her had me swooning so hard. This man had such a huge heart.

And Petra… my heart hurt for her. She was so talented and passionate, yet constantly overlooked because of politics within her company. Watching her slowly remember why she fell in love with dance in the first place was emotional and incredibly rewarding. I found myself rooting for her so hard. She deserved the world, and I loved seeing her confidence return little by little.

The chemistry between these two felt so natural. Their late-night ballet sessions became some of my favorite scenes in the book. There was something so intimate and special about the trust they built together. Their relationship wasn’t rushed, and because of that, every moment felt meaningful. You could feel their friendship growing into something deeper, and I was completely invested.

One thing I absolutely loved was how authentic everything felt. The love for both ballet and hockey poured off the pages. It never felt forced or overly technical, just immersive and genuine. You could tell there was so much care put into these worlds, and it made the story even more special.

But what really stayed with me was how hopeful this book was. At its core, it’s about finding yourself again when life doesn’t go according to plan. It’s about learning that sometimes your greatest strength comes from unexpected places and that starting over doesn’t mean you’ve failed. That message hit me right in the heart.

Petra and Liam’s story was beautiful, tender, and full of hope. I laughed, I got emotional, and I fell completely in love with these characters. Their journey felt like a graceful dance itself, full of stumbles, determination, trust, and ultimately something truly breathtaking.

Bill Keenan absolutely delivered with this one. The Swan and the Sentinel was heartfelt, unique, and utterly captivating, and I loved every single page. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Petra and Liam when I turned that final page, and honestly, I would happily read about these two all over again.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not a traditional romance novel. It is so much more though. It is written by someone who clearly has a deep understanding of ballet, and what is required to perform difficult movement seemingly effortlessly.

Liam is an injured hockey player facing down being traded if he can't get his body back in fighting shape soon. His doctor tells him to start looking into alternative treatments. A visit from his niece and the team's PR director conspire to send him to the ballet one night, and all it takes is seeing HER onstage to open his eyes to what ballet might have to offer him. After meeting Petra backstage, he awkwardly signs up his niece for a ballet class she can't ever attend. And when he tries to go to the class to fix his mixup- his idea of having Petra teach him instead is born.

Petra is a soloist chasing that elusive Principal dancer promotion, but somehow finds the time to teach a hockey player to move in ways he'd never dreamed of before. I love the way the ballet is presented in this book. It's really honored as a discipline that combines artistry with complex movement and athletic prowess at the same time. I would say Ballet is a character in this book, in a way I haven't seen before.

As for the romance, it is sweet and beautiful how Liam sees Petra in ways she hasn't had before. He is an excellent book boyfriend who puts her needs first and tries to give her the world.

The story seems like a parade of things testing Liam and Petra's relationship. Despite looking like they are finished before they even start, they start to build their life together. But between a little deception from Liam, to Petra's coworkers trying to tear her down they almost throw it all away.

I enjoyed the conclusion even though it seems a little unbelievable. It is fiction, after all. But it gives all the tingly vibes of the dream that we can have it all and everything will work out in the end if we just try hard enough.

The only thing keeping this from being a 5 star read for me is I had a little trouble with the sense of time. I was confused in a few places about how much time had passed, and it took me out of the moment. This is a minor detail in my opinion though.

This book has an interesting perspective on romance. It is also a love letter to ballet, something that has been a big part of my life since I was a child. I recommend it to fans of romance, fans of ballet, or fans of hockey, as well as anyone who enjoys a story about a man who gets his life together through loving a woman and challenging himself to think outside the box.

Thank you to the author for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

[Dee Layton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Swan and the Sentinel by Bill Keenan was such a beautiful book. This was a emotional, inspiring, beautifully written book. The characters in this book I feel forever have a place in my heart because they were just absolutely beautifully written. I felt that the author really put their all into this book to make it authentic, natural, and real. It was a slow and comfortable book something that was very interesting to read between the darker books that I do read.
Pertra and Liam were both at a place in their life where be comfortableness of everything was starting to become uncertain. Watching them both together work through and grow together but also individually as well, Was absolutely breathtaking.
Liam was an NHL player that wanted to step out of his comfort zone, And was humbled but ballet lessons. It was so comfortable seeing him step out of his comfort zone and be there when Petra needed him. He to me is just a green flag man all the way around.
Now Petra I really loved her but I also kind of hurt for her as well. She was absolutely talented and amazing dancer. But due to politics and biases in her company she was constantly looked over like she was irrelevant. Which set her off on a journey of self-discovery. The self-discovery of figuring out why she loved dancing in the first place. To watch her Grow and have confidence in herself again was just absolutely breathtaking.
The chemistry between these two was absolutely electric. I personally love the more intimate connection that they had. Like the late night ballet lessons where they were just themselves. I love the slow pace building of the relationship to me it made everything feel so much more natural and real.
Overall, love how the author in the way this book was written you kind of felt every emotion that the characters are feeling at the same time. Bill Keenan delivered a beautiful heartfelt book. With two absolutely amazing and beautifully written characters. I genuinely hated closing the book at the end. I loved Petra and Liam so much, I hope we can read more of them from him in the future.

[Nishe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

An aspiring principal ballerina and an injured hockey player finding each other through dance, healing, and unexpected love? Sign me up immediately.

This was a sweet and enjoyable read with really good chemistry between the characters. I loved the mix of ballet and hockey, and the overall vibe of the story was comforting and easy to get through. I also really appreciated the author’s knowledge, genuine interest, and attention to detail when it came to both hockey and ballet.

That being said, I did wish there was a bit more emotional depth. The story felt more focused on the plot than on fully developing the characters and their growth. Because of that, the romance felt a little too instant for me at times, which made it harder to become completely invested in their relationship.

Liam’s POV is written in first person, so you really get to know him and his friends much more deeply than Petra, whose chapters are written in third person. Because of that, I felt like Petra’s character wasn’t explored as much, we don’t really get enough insight into her life, her friendships, or who she is outside of the romance.

The love story also felt a bit rushed at times. The book leaned more plot-focused, and because of that, I didn’t fully feel the emotional connection developing between them as a couple. I wish we had gotten more quiet moments between them to really see their relationship grow naturally.

Overall, still a lovely read with good chemistry and great attention to detail. I just wish we had gotten to dive a little deeper into the characters and their emotions.

[Angie (mushmysteriesandmore) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this book and for the most part it was enjoyable. The storyline was interesting; an injured hockey player takes lessons from a ballerina as an alternative healing process. However I do have a few issues with this book.

First, what I loved. I really enjoyed the characters. Petra was so lovely and yet she wasn’t get the breaks. Her career was controlled by a sleezy manager who wasn’t giving her the parts she deserved and he played favourites for her biggest rival who wasn’t just dancing for him. She was also getting short-changed by her boyfriend Gavin, a film star who was just cast as James Bond and everything was about him and what he could get. He didn’t support Petra at all. So when she meets hockey player Liam LeClerc, she quickly falls for him and ends things with Gavin. Liam was such a sweetheart, he cared about Petra, he listened to her and was truly interested in her as a person. I felt the relationship between them was beautiful, they brought out the best in each other.

However, this book fell short after about halfway through. I felt the secret Liam was keeping from Petra was unnecessary and the fact it resolved itself was too easy and caused no conflict, making it an unnecessary plot point. Why have potential drama and then not go through with it? I also struggled with the style of writing. The book is mainly told from Liam’s perspective and is in first person. However, when we switch to Petra’s POV, this is in third person, and occasionally we stay in third person for Liam as well making reading a bit disjointed and confusing.

I also felt the ending was a little bit of a stretch on reality and not really how I wanted this to end. I wanted a cleaner ending, with more emotional connection.

[Mairi Swan · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Sports
*Ballet
*Sweet
*Closed door

Heroine, Petra, is a ballet dancer and her dream is to take the leading role. Hero, Liam, is a hockey player who's injured and tries to overcome this obstacle to get back in game. So he tries something alternative and after watching a ballet play he decides to try it. Petra is there for him to make him stronger and to support him.
While Liam gets stronger and comes back in the game several obstacles come that threaten their relationship and their positions in the dream work.
First I have to tell you all that I'm biased cause I LOVE LOVE LOVE The swan lake and in general Tchaikovsky's work. And I admire ballet dancers and their dedication as I get that it's really hard work.
I liked Petra and how sweet she was and willing to sacrifice her dream for her family. And Liam trying to fix everything for those who cared, Petra and her sister and his teammates.
I gave this story 3.5 stars as I felt it didn't had the depth that I would have liked. Even though I liked the plot, I felt that the Author has potential to make their story even more appealing. And even though some details don't stick in reality, as a fiction I'm totally on board to accept them as that, I would have liked a more flowy writing.
And I do believe this Author has potentials and I would be happy to see the next story coming.
I received this arc and this is my honest opinion.

[Jackie Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Swan and the Sentinel is injured NHL player Liam LeClerc and ballerina Petra’s sweet, witty and entertaining story. This is the first book I have read by this author but it won’t be the last because this is a beautifully written journey that drew me in and didn’t let me go.
Petra lives to dance, she is talented and passionate and when she is not performing she teaches six year olds.
Liam takes his young niece to one of her performances and after the show hangs around to meet the dancer his niece is excited by. Pulled into the excitement he signs her up for lessons and when that goes wrong he finds himself in a classroom full of little girls explaining why it’s him and not his niece there………
Fighting a hamstring injury his doctors have told him to look outside the box because everything they have tried is not working long term and on the spur of the moment he convinces Petra to teach him to dance and that’s when the fun and games begin.
I loved everything about this book because it was so different to anything I have read. I fell hard and fast for Liam and I want Petra as my new bestie but what took this book to another level was watching this couple do what ever was needed for the love of their careers and each other. I smiled, I giggled and I swooned as I cheered Liam and Petra on.

[The Cozy Sloth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to The Author Agency for an ARC!

One of the things that I really enjoyed about this book was the way that it was so detailed about the ballet practices. As a ballet fan, I really enjoyed seeing a lot of the backstage parts of working as a dancer. The characters were also a highlight of the story. Liam wasn’t one of those hockey characters that was cocky. He had a genuine love for both the game and his teammates. Petra was such a sweet character and I really enjoyed seeing her relationship with her sister. The relationship between Liam and Petra’s sister was also sweet to see, because there was so much trust between the two of them, even after just meeting.

There was a part in this book towards the end that reminded me of one of the scenes in the first High School Musical movie where everything was happening at the same time on the same day and the characters had to figure out how to make everything work. That made me giggle because I was obsessed with the High School Musical movies when I was younger.

One of things that I hoped for while reading this book was getting to see more of the New York setting. I wish that we had gotten more scenes of the characters exploring the city, instead of having so many scenes set inside apartments and workplaces.

[Rae Latte · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hockey player, a ballerina, an injury, a dream opportunity, and a second chance in this story about taking risks, learning to trust, and finding a way to let go of the past.

When Liam realizes that his hockey career could be over he leans into his last resort for recovery to explore using everything he has for one more chance to play.

Petra has worked her entire life to be a prima ballerina and when an opportunity presents itself it forces her to make a decision that will change her life. Will she take the risk and leave everything for the hope of center stage or will she stay in New York City and hope that one day she might finally get her wish?

A sinfully sweet story about family, obligation, trust, hope and proving your worth don't matter unless you have someone to support you and be there to lean on. If they can overcome the obstacles, learn to have faith, and fight for what they want...they will realize that they won't have to go far to have their happy ending.

Always honest, always my own, and thankful to Post Hill Press and Bookcase Media for a gifted e-arc and paper galley book.

[IvvyReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m very grateful for The Author Agency,
Bill Keenan and Netgalley providing the book.

"When the lives of a disheartened prima ballerina and an injured hockey star collide, can their pas de deux end in an encore?
When NHL forward Liam LeClerc’s career-threatening injury refuses to heal, desperation drives him to an unlikely solution: ballet lessons from Petra Montgomery, a talented soloist overlooked due to her company’s politics."
(Book description).

Reading time:2h24min Star rating: 3.3/4 Style: Hockey Player x Prima Ballerina

Slow Burn
Comeback Story
Forced Proximity
Fish Out of Water
Closed Door Romance
Opposing Worlds Collide
Hockey Player x Prima Ballerina

I liked the book. It was different, perhaps because I'd never read a romance novel written by a man before?

It was a different kind of romance, but good. I really liked Liam, even though I read more about his POV than Petra's. I felt like I needed to know more about Petra's feelings.

#TheSwanandtheSentinel #NetGalley

Publication date: June 16, 2026
Publisher: Post Hill Press

ARC received from Netgalley via The Author Agency!

[Coffeenbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

- Hockey romance
- Instant attraction

I have been consuming all of the hockey romances I can find and this one stands out in a few ways. This is the first book I've read where the POV was first person for one character and third person for the other. It also is lighter on the romance and heavier on the plot of the story. Neither are things that detracted me from the story.

A chance encounter at the ballet brings Liam, an injured hockey player, and Petra, a ballerina leads to events that will change both of their lives. Liam enlists Petra to teach him ballet to hopefully strengthen his injured muscles. The two connect, but when Petra is offered the opportunity of a lifetime, their time together seems to be ending....until Petra's sister Claire announces she's moving to New York to be with Petra.

I was not a fan of Claire for the secret/deception about her move. And dragging Liam into the deception seemed pretty selfish to me. But the mark of a good book, in my opinion, is one that makes you feel strongly one way or another.

This book was a quick read and enjoyable.

[Debra Ramos · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hockey and a ballerina, two worlds colliding in the most unexpected way. The Swan and the Sentinel is a raw, emotional story of resilience, reinvention, and love found in life’s hardest moments.

The FMC and MMc were everything. I loved them individually, but together they were lovely. Both are at a point where the identities they’ve always relied on feel uncertain, and watching them slowly heal, grow, and rediscover themselves and each other was such a moving journey.

I loved how authentic it all felt. The passion for both ballet and hockey was immersive and genuine, never forced.

But what really hit me was the hope woven throughout the story. At its core, it’s about finding yourself again when life doesn’t go as planned. Is realizing that starting over isn’t failure, and that strength often comes from the most unexpected places.

Overall, this was a beautifully emotional, inspiring read that lingers long after the final page.

Thank you to the author and theauthoragency for the eARC, this is my honest review.

[Zah-Kari Lottier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This hockey romance is a standout read that perfectly balances cute family moments with compelling character growth. It was so heartwarming to see Liam take his niece to the ballet using tickets from a friend, and Pestra (Petra) inviting her to class was a "cute" touch.While Petra’s boyfriend Gavin is acting like an "asshole" due to his new fame, it’s clear that Liam is the much better match for her.Liam acting as Petra’s spotter for *The Nutcracker* was incredibly sweet, especially since it keeps them together. It was great to see Petra’s dad embracing his roots despite fleeing Russia, and Claire finally feeling comfortable enough to share her secret with Liam.Even though the video of Liam practicing at the ballet studio led to people shaming him, it was "crazy" that it ended up being the very thing that got him back on the ice.A fantastic entry into the hockey romance genre that leaves you wanting more from this author.

[Tori Wolfe · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a quick and easy read with a summary that initially had me so excited to read. A ballet dancer and a hockey player in New York eventually falling for each other? Yes please. But I was incredibly let down by the lack of emotional depth in the characters and the fact that things were so plot driven there was no “falling in love” so to speak. We saw hardly any bonding between characters that actually had me believing they were in love. And then we spent half the book lying to my girl Petra after she gave up her dream job? That was a hard no from me. The only thing that saved the star rating of this book for me was the realism I saw in the dance scenes and the connection of nostalgia those scenes brought me as someone who desperately misses dance. This is a book that had so much potential if there would have been a little more “heart” put into it instead of focusing only on what was happening in the plot and allowing room for more character thoughts and emotions to show on page.

[Tenley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hockey? Check. Ballet? Check. Romance? Check.

All the makings of a solid sports romance, and that’s what it is. Solid. But nothing more.

I liked the characters, but their romance felt very fast to me, but I usually prefer a slower burn, so that could just be me.

What really got me was the realism in the sports. Not that I always want complete realism in my romances, but I didn’t love the unrealistic nature of the sports in this story. It was not the sports themselves, those were portrayed very in depth and with a lot of in-sport terminology that I respected. It was in how our main characters navigate the worlds of their sports and the timeline in which the story occurs.

But I think for those who like sports romance but that don’t have much knowledge of these sports or those that don’t care about the realism of the sports, this book may be right up your alley.

Thank you to Post Hill Press for the ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Anna Deschenes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book more than I expected. The story kept me engaged throughout and there was enough conflict to keep it interesting. The hockey and ballet scenes were very descriptive and fun to read, and while I didn't love the different points of view for each main character's chapter (Liam's were first person POV and Petra's were third person POV), Bill Keenan is a good writer.

Though this is categorized as a romantic comedy, it's quite different to a typical romance novel. It's more plot driven so we don't get a lot of description about the romantic emotions from the characters. Liam and Petra were both likeable and relatable most of the time.

I really liked the following quotes (from various parts of the book):
"Some people are naturals at happiness. They slip into it the way other people slip into a pair of jeans or trust funds: easily and entirely unfairly. I am not one of those people."
"She reminds me that children don't dream in probabilities, they dream in absolutes. They behave without calculation, which is probably why their belief can resuscitate the dead parts of us adults."
"Time is such an unforgiving constant in our lives, the only thing we borrow that we can never pay back, and the interest rate on lies is always compounding."

*I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily providing an honest review.*

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy from Netgalley

What to expect
🏒 Injured hockey player MMC
🩰 Ballerina FMC
🏒 Epic comeback

This book follows Liam LeClerc an injured hockey player who is about to be replaced if he can't get back out on the ice.
So, he enlists the help of our FMC Petra Montgomery a talented soloist ballerina. She teaches him ballet to help him strengthen his muscles.

I enjoyed these characters. The character growth for each individual MC was great.
I was looking for more relationship development between the MC's.

Loved Petra's sister and what she brought to the book. Brining in the element of - how far are you willing to go to help someone knowing it's the wrong thing to do.

The plot of this was great.

Loved the way the author wrote the hockey and ballet scenes. Very detailed.

Loved the ending of the book. Was sitting here cheering them on!

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story from beginning to end. As a hockey romance fan, this one really delivered, and Bill’s attention to detail kept me completely hooked. Liam is fighting to salvage his career after an eight‑month injury setback, and his journey back to the ice felt authentic and emotional.
Enter Petra—what begins as a chance meeting opens the door to a new path of recovery, and the chemistry between them is undeniable. You can truly feel the pull between these two, and I loved how their relationship develops naturally over the course of the book. Liam is incredibly supportive, and while he faces some tough decisions, getting insight into his thought process made those moments even more compelling. This was a true page‑turner, and I didn’t want it to end. Highly recommended for hockey romance lovers!

[JennPetito · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came for the hockey player taking ballet lessons and stayed because somehow Bill Keenan convinced me that hamstring rehab and pliés are a perfectly reasonable path to romance. Humans really will turn anything into a love story.

The Swan and the Sentinel follows an injured NHL player and an overlooked ballerina, both trying to prove they still belong in the careers they love. I enjoyed watching Liam and Petra grow individually while helping each other rediscover why they fell in love with their sports in the first place.

The hockey-meets-ballet concept was surprisingly sweet, the character growth worked for me, and I now firmly believe more hockey players should be forced into dance classes for entertainment purposes.

Thank you to the author for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Tiffani Cook · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to netgalley and Bookcase Media for asking if I'd sign up for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really wanted to like this one. The premise if a struggling hockey player needing ballet lessons to hopefully save his career and falls for the instructor? Yes please. However, it fell flat for me.

I can look past the fact that I personally prefer multiple POV and this is pretty much single POV but I understand everyone has their own preferences. Saying that, what got me was fact that there were many plot holes that I couldn't ignore. Also, the descriptions of the hockey play were fantastic...if only that level of detail and attention was put towards the romance aspect or the development between the two main characters this could've been an amazing book.

[Angie Strauch · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sidelined ballerina and an injured hockey player form an unexpected partnership, finding healing, passion, and maybe love in the ballet studio.

This had such a cute, unique premise. Ballet meets hockey instantly pulled me in. The banter was fun and easy to read, and I loved how passionate both Petra and Liam were about their crafts, which added a nice layer to their connection.

That said, I found myself wanting more depth. The story leaned more plot heavy, and I missed stronger character growth and emotional development. Because of that, the romance felt a little insta lovey at times, which made it harder to fully invest.

Overall, a sweet and enjoyable read with great chemistry, but I wish it had dug a bit deeper into the characters. 💕

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liam LeClerc nunca pensó que lo más difícil de su vida sería volver a jugar hockey al nivel que alguna vez tuvo. Con una carrera en pausa y más preguntas que respuestas sobre su futuro, está dispuesto a intentar cualquier cosa para recuperar aquello que siente que está perdiendo.

Petra Montgomery lleva años demostrando que el talento por sí solo no es suficiente. En un mundo donde cada oportunidad debe ganarse y cada error puede costar demasiado, ha aprendido a confiar únicamente en su trabajo y en su determinación.

Ninguno de los dos busca complicaciones. Sin embargo, una serie de encuentros inesperados los obliga a compartir más tiempo del que imaginaban. Poco a poco, las diferencias que parecían separarlos comienzan a convertirse en el motivo por el que disfrutan estar juntos.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this ARC from NetGalley, here’s my honest review:

First, this is more of a 3.5 but I’m rounding down because I don’t think it’s a 4.

What I liked:
- The dual narrative and I enjoyed the 1st POV to 3rd POV the author did, even if it left me wanting more of Petra’s inner life.
- The depth of knowledge of both hockey and ballet was 🧑‍🍳💋
- It was easy to read

What didn’t quite work for me:
- It felt too plot driven and I prefer character driven stories
- The pacing was all over the place
- The chemistry was good but I didn’t quite believe the romance

It’s a closed door romance and I guess it’ll work better for other people, I think it was too rushed and *external* and for me, romance should lean more internal.

[Jordan Fiest · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Swan and Sentinel is a sweet sports romance.

If you want a lighter read with a closed door story, that is super sweet and cute, then this story is for you. I loved seeing Petra and Liam connect on an emotional level. He needs to get a leg up in his career and in order to do this he decides to take ballet lessons, so he can become more agile while on the ice. Through their interactions together, you can see they both take something from their bond and make themselves better in their own industries. This was a sweet and light read which gave you all the emotional feels required for a great story.