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Final Shift: An Opposites Attract MM Hockey Romance

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One last championship. One defiant rookie. One deadly order that could cost Tane Rivers everything—including his heart.

Tane is staring down the barrel of his final season with the Toronto Enforcers. The legendary thirty-eight-year-old is an All-Star veteran who's given his body, blood, and total loyalty to the franchise. But the Cardini family, the mafia syndicate that runs the team, has other Tane must reign in their explosive new signing, twenty-one-year-old rookie phenom Jacob Gosling.

Jacob is pure chaos on and off the ice. Cocky and instinctive, he lives for the nightlife and the endless high of being the league's hottest prospect. Defiance is Jacob's default... until the bosses decide enough is enough.

Tane's orders from the Cardini family are break the brat's rebellion, enforce submission by any means. But what begins as tense mentorship erupts into something raw and heated clashes turn into steamy discipline where Jacob learns the sting of Tane's hand feels better than any party high.

Guided by Tane, Jacob slowly discovers the quiet appeal of cozy nights together and the pull between them deepens into something neither expected.

Then the threats arrive. A rival crime family targets the Enforcers' playoff run—and Jacob is in the crosshairs. As danger closes in and the season hurtles toward its explosive climax, one final shift could win everything... or lose it all.

Final Shift is a high-heat, standalone MM hockey romance featuring a significant age gap, high-stakes mafia danger, forced obedience evolving into fierce protection, possessive veteran x bratty rookie, spanking and consensual power-play scenes, found-family team dynamics, enemies-to-lovers tension, and a hard-won HEA.

Perfect readers who crave dark-edged hockey romance with forbidden desire and thrills on and off the ice.

This is the first book in the ICE ENFORCERS series.

316 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 4, 2026

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About the author

Z.W. Elodie

2 books4 followers

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5 stars
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14 (48%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Sussu {Romance Obsessed}.
285 reviews17 followers
Did Not Finish
April 23, 2026
Thank you GRR for the arc!
This unfortunately is a dnf from me at 20%>
Who the hell is Chase??? The main characters are Jacob and Tane, but every Jacob chapter is named Chase.
I feel like in general, it would benefit from having an editor.
I didn't really enjoy the story either, I like that it's a unique concept with a mafia family owning a hockey team, but it felt kinda underdeveloped.

Jacob wasn't super likeable and there really wasn't much tension in what's supposed to be a forbidden romance.
2,002 reviews8 followers
May 10, 2026
Well, at least I loved the cover...

I genuinely don't know where to start with this one. I suppose the logical place is at the beginning, where Chapter 1 is headed 'Chase', as are every other alternate chapter, and that sets the standard for the whole book.
I don't know who the eff Chase is, but assume it's Jacob though it's never explained. And I assume jocks only have one nickname but, alongside Chase, Chaser and Chain are also used. Confused? Yeah, me too.
There's no mention of editing or proofreading at all, and it shows. There are so many typos, grammatical errors, and just plain nonsense that it's almost impossible to read. At one point, Tane and Jacob have to take sanctuary in a launderette, moments away from where Jacob was attacked, and by the time they get there, Tane's best friends/teammates are already there, armed and dangerous. How the eff did they get there before Tane? Teleported?
There's very little chemistry between Tane and Jacob, no real connection. I thought Jacob was a Little to start with, then he seems to be a boy, and Tane regards himself as a Daddy but he's more of a Daddy Dom. And while I'm on the subject, who in their right mind drags a young teammate to a training room and tells them to bend over as they're going to spank them. and then does so? WT actual F? Out of nowhere, at work, from a position of power?
I'm not quite sure how or why I finished it but I do have to say thank you for the typo (at least, I hope it is!) that told me that the mob owners of the team were 'running a hickey franchise', which cheered me up no end.
Profile Image for Amanda Winter.
1,052 reviews23 followers
May 12, 2026
This was my first read from Z.W. Elodie...this book has a really solid idea here with a fresh twist on hockey romance that definitely caught my attention.

Final Shift takes the familiar NHL-style setting and adds a darker edge with the Toronto Enforcers being owned by a crime family. That element gave the story a unique vibe and raised the stakes in a way you don’t usually see in this genre.

Jacob and Tane were interesting to follow. Jacob is the talented but reckless rookie, while Tane is the worn-down captain just trying to get one last win before his body calls it quits. Their dynamic—especially the shift from reluctant babysitter to protector—was engaging, and I did like how their relationship developed from that setup. There’s definitely something compelling in the “brat meets control” energy they had going on.

That said, the execution didn’t always land for me. There were a few inconsistencies (like the name mix-ups) that pulled me out of the story, and the timeline jumps weren’t always clear, which made it harder to stay fully immersed. I also found some parts a bit repetitive, especially in the inner monologues, which slowed things down.

Even with those issues, I still found myself interested in the world...especially the veteran players and the team dynamic. There’s a lot of potential here, and I’d be curious to see how future books in this world develop.

Overall: a strong concept with an intriguing edge, even if the writing didn’t fully deliver on it this time.
Profile Image for Nicole.
304 reviews16 followers
May 7, 2026
Review for (Ice Enforcers-1) FInal Shift by Z.W. Elodie

Another fabulous story that has these tropes and triggers-

Spanking
Power Exchange
Hockey
M/M
Enemies to lovers
forbidden desires
Mafia danger
Bratty MC
age gap


This is my type of story, so I went in hoping to get what I hoped for out of it. I wasn't let down. I feel lucky that I found this story. I am newer to sports stories, but if you add in a little intrigue and dark, I'm there. Tane Rivers is a veteran at this sport. He has put in so much work through the years for this sport that it has torn his body up. This is where it gets yummy and adds in the Mafia
The Mafia family, Cardini, runs his team. Jacob Gosling is the up-and-coming rookie for his team, the Toronto Enforcers. He is full of cockyness and parties. Being twenty-one makes him feel invincible. Defiance is his default way of living. I loved the way .Z.W. Elodie wrote their story, how it unfolded, to see how they started and how it grows. I loved the intrigue of the Mafia being a part of the story. I love the added BDSM also; who doesn't like a good spanking scene along with the power exchange these two share? I just couldn't put it down till the end. I just had to know where this author was going to take their story. I wasn't sorry. I am adding this author to my read list because I need more.

Nicole Harvey
2,333 reviews21 followers
May 5, 2026
I wanted to like this book as I love Daddy/Boy books but I couldn't even finish this for several reasons. Jacob is a rookie on a hockey team with Tane, the Captain. Jacob is a spoiled brat who thinks he is the best player but parties too much. Tane is told by the monster owner to control Jacob. This plot is familiar from another author's hockey/ Little/Mob series. It didn't clearly establish the trope in this book despite Jacob calling Tane Daddy in the middle of a spanking but also mixed in Masters and alphas. No guidelines were discussed, no agreement for a relationship, no rational discourse before immediately jumping into a spanking in a public area. There was name confusion throughout a book that needed editing and definition. Jacob talked and acted like a child in the parts I read to his teammates and everyone. There was no chemistry and I'm not sure anyone was that likeable. I feel bad if this was the author's first attempt but it needs more work before publishing. The premise was good but not much else. I received a copy of this through GRR and this is my voluntary opinion.
Profile Image for Kata.
193 reviews4 followers
May 7, 2026
The urge to DNF this was very, very strong. I felt that way multiple times, but once I got halfway through, I figured that since I had already made it that far, I might as well finish it.

It’s not a bad book, and honestly, it had potential, but it just wasn’t for me no matter how much I wanted to love it.
A lot of the time I couldn’t follow what was happening, I didn’t feel the chemistry or connection between the two main characters, and honestly: who is Chase? There was some kind of name change, and nobody noticed that Jason’s chapters suddenly started being labeled as Chase, or what exactly happened there?

And I understand that I received an ARC copy, so typos and mistakes can happen, but not in this quantity — especially considering that English isn’t even my first language, and I found them distracting.

I hope the author will pay more attention to these things next time, because as my first book from them, this was a big disappointment for me.

Thank you to GRR for the ARC copy. This is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Michelle N..
178 reviews2 followers
May 11, 2026
This is my first read from Z.W. Elodie and I enjoyed the book. While hockey romance is a popular theme, this book has a unique take on the concept and that was refreshing. The Toronto Enforcers are a professional hockey team with a lot of talent and the best new player in the league, Jacob Gosling. They also happen to be owned and controlled by the Cardini crime family. The Cardini’s do not like the outlandish and irresponsible way Jacob is behaving when he is not on the ice so they task team captain, Tane Rivers, to keeping an eye on Jacob. Tane is not thrilled to be a babysitter but he soon finds himself more than happy to take on the roll as Daddy and protector, when Jacob’s life is in danger.
I liked the story but there were a few inconsistencies that bothered me in reading the book. These were nothing major, but things I found myself going back to in the story.
I am interested in the other veteran players on the team.
Profile Image for Dreyyy.
164 reviews
May 6, 2026
First, i want to thank GRR for the ARC they gave me !!


So this book is a 2,5 max, I pushed it to 3 on goodreads. I guess the idea of the book was promising and i was very excited to read it. However, the execution was not good.

First, the Jacob's chapters were under "Chase" so that makes no sense, and the name Chase was mentioned a few times instead of Jacob. Moreover, the jumps in time were not clear and not really defined so it was difficult to get a real timeline within the story.

I would also like to say that the book felt really repetitive, like every two sentences you read either Tane or Jacob and it is kinda tiring in the long term.

And there are also so many typos that make the reading not easy.


So overall i think this could be a great book as the idea is fun and interesting, however with how it's written right now it is not ideal..
3,168 reviews21 followers
May 7, 2026
​Jacob and Tane are interesting characters who are respectively at the beginning and what is close to the end of their hockey careers. Jacob is a bit cocky and parties too much. Tane is trying to squeeze one more championship out of a body that seems ready for retirement but he kind of wants one more hurrah. The team they play for is owned by a shady owner who charges Tane with getting Jacob in line. Pushing this relationship leads them to becoming more to one another, much to Jacob's benefit and in a way Tane's as well. There was so much to like about these characters, even though Jacob is a bit entitled and bratty. But the writing was a bit stilted and that was distracting for me at times. Still I was glad to finish and am hopeful that maybe the next story will read more smoothly.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
453 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 28, 2026
This book honestly left a lot to be desired for me. I was pretty confused at parts and feel like it was haphazardly put together. I just couldn’t connect with the main characters at all. We got the story of Jacob and Tane in this book. Not sure who Chase is but that name was the title of every single Jacob chapter. And the name was referenced more than once too. Also the relationship between these two characters just didn’t make sense at all. And the way pretty much every single character acted was just so off feeling. The plot was ok but their relationship just ruined it. It had the bones but just really fell short for me.
849 reviews7 followers
May 4, 2026
This isn to my usual read but I loved it. I loved Tane and Jacob as what started out as a mentorship blossomed into more. Tane is the veteran trying to finish his final season of hockey playing for a team run by the mafia. Jacob is the wild fire hot shot rook who loves and lives life to its fullest. Tane is all discipline whereas Jacob has never heard that word. Suddenly the mafia owned team demands Tane reign Jacob in. I love how their relationship developed and both learned new things they like. Love watching Tane work his magic and discipline on Jacob who discovered some news things about himself. A feel good read.
Profile Image for Suzanne Irving.
2,879 reviews25 followers
May 7, 2026
Hockey romance with extra excitement

Z. W. Elodie has taken the typical mm hockey romance and added a Ds relationship and the mafia which definitely ups the excitement factor. Tane is such a steady influence on Jacob and we get a lot of fun times to get them there. There are a few side stories, such as Jacob with his friends and someone trying to make sure the Toronto team doesn’t make it to the playoffs. It’s all plotted together well and is a fun story. There is a side relationship that involves one of Jacob’s friends and a mafia character that hopefully will be the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Megan Warren-Keel.
23 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
April 21, 2026
MM | hockey | age gap | teammates

This one was rough. First, who is Chase?! The MCs are Jacob and Tane, but Chase and Chas are mentioned in the chapter headings and throughout. Was there a name change that wasn’t caught? It’s a lot.

The relationship is amazingly unrealistic. You aren’t going to spank a teammate you just met because they disrespected you. It was awkward. I could get on board if this was written as more of a fantasy, but it’s written as reality and that’s not at all realistic.

Plot: 2/5
Relationship: 1/5
Spice: 3/5
73 reviews1 follower
April 22, 2026
i didn’t like the writing style AT ALL.
I didn’t like the stutter in Jacob’s dialogue, didn’t find any sense in his change of attitude, the way he caught feelings all of the sudden…?? And i’m not even starting on Tane’s character 😭
I can understand there are some grammar mistakes as i received an ARC and it’s not the final draft but i did not expect whole plot holes 🥲
And… who is Chase? when i started the book and the character was called Jacob i couldn’t be more confused lol
this book had a really good potential but meh 😕
Profile Image for Johanna.
4,480 reviews73 followers
Review of advance copy
April 29, 2026
Book 1 of the Ice Enforcers series. And a FANtastic start it is! Look forward to more from this world.

'Perfect readers who crave dark-edged hockey romance with forbidden desire and thrills on and off the ice.'

The characters were very appealing and complex and complicated and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and intense and exciting and well paced. World building was excellent and solidly drawn. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend!

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Ashley Carrillo.
366 reviews
May 8, 2026
First off, that cover is just beautiful. Second, the blurb for this book really intrigued me. I don't think I've ever read a dark hockey romance about the mafia owning a team. Tane, one of the main characters, is apart of that and is tasked with breaking the cocky new player named Jacob. But when does breaking require chemistry and lust and eventually feelings? Jacob is making him feel things and is maybe getting under his skin. But this is a dark hockey romance and it isn't always sweet. Buckle in.
Profile Image for Kayla.
275 reviews5 followers
Did Not Finish
April 28, 2026
DNF 19%

Life is just too short to force myself to read any further in this.

The writing style is not working for me. And who is this Chase character? The MCs are Jason and Tane yet chapter headers are named Chase when it's Jason's POV. Jason also is the most obnoxious character I've read in awhile. Your a grown man yet your acting like a five year old it's not cute. And Tane wanting to smack a teammates ass is your first thought when meeting them?? Ick.
17.1k reviews178 followers
May 7, 2026
He is about to retire after his final season of the hockey league but a new rookie is going to make things even more complicated. They do not want to listen to orders and they are big headed, believing they can do anything they like. The bosses make him to take control of them or else, he knows what that means so he will do his best. See how he can get that control over them while danger is coming
Profile Image for Sadie Loves  Reading.
44 reviews1 follower
May 12, 2026
I really wanted to enjoy this one because the premise sounded so good, and even though the beginning was a little confusing, I still decided to give it a fair try. Unfortunately, as the story went on, I just couldn’t fully catch up with the plot or connect with what was happening, which made it difficult for me to stay invested. I genuinely hate DNFing ARCs, especially when I can see the potential in the story, but this one just didn’t work for me personally.
Profile Image for Molly Otto.
1,583 reviews33 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 30, 2026
I'm sorry but I couldn't' feel the connection between these two at all. Their meet awkward could have been fun, yet I feel he took it to far and just treated the man like hell for a mistake. Then you have more plot points that I felt unnecessary to move the story along. I felt the author tried to put too much in the story and wasn't able to fully put it all together in the end.
Profile Image for Traci S.
2,175 reviews16 followers
May 7, 2026
Thank you for the book; here is my honest opinion:
On paper, this should have worked for me, it has a lot of tropes I like. Sorry to say, this wasn’t for me, I never connected with this couple. Unfortunately, Jacob and Tane both are hard to like, and nobody in this book speaks or behaves like a real person in a real world.
Profile Image for Ida Umphers.
5,709 reviews48 followers
May 13, 2026
Great potential with this one but it needed another pass or two of editing to keep from taking me out of the story. The idea of mixing age gap, hockey and mafia with these two characters was a really great idea and I kept reading to see how things would go and how they would get their HEA. I also loved the found family dynamic with the team.
Profile Image for Jessica Swan.
2,418 reviews22 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 16, 2026
Thank you to the author and GRR for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

I enjoyed the characters for the most part but the plot was a little too random and wild for my tastes. This wasn't bad, but I don't think this was for me.
Profile Image for Kenneth Cameron.
113 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 26, 2026
Well written with characters that are easy to idenify with and care about. I was hooked from the very first page and will be reading the rest of the Ice Enforcers series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Yvonne.
122 reviews
Review of advance copy
April 25, 2026
Thank you to the Author for the opportunity to read and review this ARC

This wasn't a bad book, but it's not a book for me.
543 reviews2 followers
May 4, 2026
This book was ok but hard to follow at times
Profile Image for Thurman.
758 reviews8 followers
May 6, 2026
It is a good book and a couple.
I received a free copy of this book via GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Esmee.
2,237 reviews2 followers
May 8, 2026
Alles ging heel vlot. En laten we zo'n leeftijdsverschil niet normaliseren... Ook het machtsverschil was niet helemaal oke..
Profile Image for Amanda Grange.
929 reviews5 followers
May 8, 2026
It was ok. I had a hard time concentrating on it so it took longer than necessary to finish. I don't think this book was for me.

Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews