Penalty Shot

by Crea Reitan

You miss all the shots you don’t take.

Denny

My world turns upside down when I’m thrust into single parenthood to my day-old son. Coming from a home where hatred and resentment thrived, I’m terrified of messing up my kid. Just when I’m at my lowest point, on the brink of drowning, a stranger shows up at my door and somehow, he makes it a little easier to breathe even as he makes the guilt in my chest a little louder.

Tyler

My world turns inside out with the loss of my sister - my best friend. I’m hours too late to say goodbye and by the time I get to the hospital, her newborn has already left with her fiance. Tracking them down isn’t as difficult as not falling for him. Everyday this man makes me fall a little harder as I search for the answers my sister took with her to an early grave.

***

This is a LGBTQIA+ story with content not intended for those under 18 years of age due to graphic scenes and situations.

Genres: M M Romance, Found Family, Sports

348 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 14, 2026

About the author

Crea lives in upstate New York with her dog and husband. She has been writing since grade school, when her second grade teacher had her class keep writing journals. She has a habit of creating secondary, and often time tertiary, characters that take over her stories. When she can't fall asleep at night, she thinks up new scenes for her characters to act out. This, of course, is how most of her meant-to-be-thrown-away characters tend to end up front and center - and utterly swoon-worthy! Don't ask her how many book boyfriends she has...

When not writing, Crea is an avid reader. Her TBR pile is several hundred books high (don't even look at her kindle wish list or the unread books on her tablet). Sometimes, she enjoys crafting; sometimes, exploring nature; sometimes, traveling. Mostly, she enjoys putting her characters on paper and breathing life into them. Oh, and sleeping. Crea loves to sleep!

Reviews

[Sjoukje · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much anticipation for this book! And now I’ve read it, I’m a bit torn. It’s a great book. Lots of lovely emotions and a lot of things happening without it getting too much. However… (and I’m a bit sad to say this)… it feels a bit like I’ve read bits and pieces of this story before in other books by this author. She is an amazing writer, that’s not it. And her stories are filled with a lot of realistic feeling characters. But another horrible mother who can’t be stopped? And who does horrible things without explanation? Why do so many of the characters in Crea’s books have horrible parents (or like Tyler) no parents at all without any backstory? It’s not unrealistic I think that people have bad parents, I understand that happens a lot more than people hope to believe. The parents in these books are so bad, it’s hard to imagine that they can exist in the real world. I feel like there needs to be more nuance than we are given in this universe.

I think it’s very wise Crea split up the series for new readers. And when people only read this series, there’s not that much likeness in the stories (although Felton has extremely bad parents too).

That said: I love both Denny and Tyler! And I choose to believe Sally did want to keep Denny around for her brother because that felt like something she’d do for both her brother and her baby. That way her baby would know his father. I also understood Denny very well in his hesitation to become a parent. It was a beautiful solution (and even with her passing that wish came true).
I did wonder where her girlfriends were in this story. Why didn’t Tyler know any of them? He was her best friend. And why didn’t they show up for her baby? If one of my friends had died in childbirth, I think I’d visited her baby daddy to try to help him out, or at least contact her brother to grieve together. Friends and colleagues did show up at the memorial. Why didn’t they reach out somehow? That felt a bit strange.

(And I wondered about the timeline. Tyler and Sally’s grandmother died six years ago. Sally died at 23. That means she was 17 when her official guardian died. How was CAS not involved then? Or maybe they were, but Tyler doesn’t mention it. That’s a tiny thing though.)

Long story short: I’ll definitely reread this book. And I recommend it. I just hope that the following books in this universe will have more nuanced parents. They don’t have to be wonderful, just not so horrible.

[Charlotte.s.library · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, Crea has the ability to find the good in any sh**ty situation, and this book is not exception.

This was a bit hard to read for me, but it was a me problem not a problem with the writing or the characters. Maybe it is my mood, I will have to do a re-read when life wouldn't be this hectic. An audiobook would be amazing, ngl.

These characters were going through it and I am glad that in the end things turned out that way. I love the realism of it all, how Crea always leans into that instead of running away.

The 🔥 parts were, as always, perfection.

Another great addition to the Crea verse.

[wonder ᥫ᭡.]

{arc review}

DNF on page 130!

Thank you so much to chaotic reader and author Crea for including me in the arc team.

I tried so hard to enjoy and like this book, but I couldn't. The story was overall good and interesting, but I find myself not caring about what was really happening. I got bored a lot. The whole situation of the book felt flat to me. I kinda like the characters and understood their grief and struggles, but this was the furthest I could go. The only thing I LOVED about this book was the smut. Holy shit, it really was something else. I enjoyed it so much.

[Miruru Shouting · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though Denny and Tyler came together through unfortunate circumstances, I loved watching them balance new fatherhood with their growing feelings. I appreciated the low-angst for the relationship part.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penalty Shot was one of those books that quietly works its way into your heart through grief, healing, family, and a beautifully developed slow-burn romance.

This is book three in the Winnipeg Avalanche Hockey Series, and while there is plenty of hockey in the world surrounding the story, the emotional journey between Denny and Tyler is what truly stood out to me.

Denny’s life is turned upside down when he suddenly becomes a single father to his newborn son under heartbreaking circumstances.

What I loved most about his character was that despite being overwhelmed, exhausted, and terrified, he stepped up immediately for his son. Coming from a childhood filled with resentment, toxicity, and emotional wounds, Denny constantly worries about repeating the mistakes of his upbringing. He doesn’t want his son to experience the same pain he did, and watching him navigate parenthood while carrying those fears made him such an easy character to root for.

Then Tyler enters the picture.

Tyler is grieving the loss of his sister and carrying the heavy regret of arriving too late to say goodbye. Expecting to find his nephew with the sister he loved, he instead discovers that the baby is already with the man she was planning to marry.

The grief both men carry feels incredibly raw throughout the story.

Neither of them are at their best when they meet. Both are struggling with loss, uncertainty, and questions they don’t have answers to. Yet somehow, together they slowly become a source of comfort and stability for one another.

And that’s where this book really shines.

The romance is a true slow burn.

The relationship develops gradually through shared grief, late-night conversations, mutual support, and learning to trust someone when life has already broken you. Every step of their relationship felt earned, which made the emotional payoff even more rewarding.

I also loved the found family elements woven throughout the story. The warmth, support, and sense of belonging that develops around Denny, Tyler, and the baby created some incredibly touching moments that balanced the heavier themes beautifully.

This wasn’t a story built around instant attraction or constant drama.

It was about healing.

It was about learning how to move forward after loss.

And it was about finding unexpected love when neither person thought they were ready for it.

What You Can Expect

🏒 Hockey romance
🌈 MM romance
👶 Single father romance
🐌 True slow burn
🤍 Grief & healing
🏡 Found family
💙 Emotional character growth
🫂 Comfort after loss
✨ Heartwarming family moments
😭 Emotional but hopeful journey

My Ratings

⭐️ Overall Rating: 4.5/5
🔥 Burn Level: 3.5/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 3.5/5
💧 Emotional Level: 5/5

Thank you to Chaotic Creative Services and Crea Reitan for the ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own.

[BooksBooksandmoreBooks69 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penalty Shot by Crea Reitan is one of those books that quietly sneaks up on you with its emotions and warmth.

It’s the third installment in the Winnipeg Avalanche Hockey series, and it delivers a tender, grief laden MM romance centered on two men learning to navigate sudden single parenthood, loss, and the slow bloom of unexpected love.

The story opens with Denny’s world shattering when he becomes a single father to his newborn son under heartbreaking circumstances. (Sally and Denny aren’t a couple, but Denny was stepping up for his little family.) Haunted by his own toxic upbringing filled with resentment and hatred, he’s terrified he’ll ruin his child. Just as he’s drowning in panic and exhaustion, Tyler appears at his door, the brother of Denny’s late fiancée. Tyler arrives reeling from his own devastating loss, hours too late to say goodbye to his sister, only to find his nephew already gone with the man she was going to marry. What follows is a beautiful, aching slowburn as these two strangers are thrown together by necessity and shared grief.

I loved both of these characters. Denny’s journey from overwhelmed and self doubting to confident, loving dad had me feeling like a proud mother watching her son navigate fatherhood….. You watch him grow through the little victories and quiet moments with the baby, all while carrying heavy guilt. Tyler is patient, steady, and incredibly supportive, even as he grapples with his sister’s secrets and his growing feelings for Denny.

Their relationship develops through late night feedings, shared responsibilities, and the hockey team’s wonderful found family support system. The teammates from previous books step up in meaningful ways that made me smile. I loved both this “Creaverse” everyone still visit’s 😊

The book balances heavy themes of grief, family trauma, and sudden parenthood, with sweetness, domestic warmth, and solid steam. The emotional intimacy often hits harder than the physical scenes, though those are nicely done too. There are touching moments where Tyler tries to keep his sister’s memory alive for the baby, and I loved that.

If you enjoy hurt/comfort stories, single dad tropes, hockey romances, and characters who choose to build something better than what they came from, this one delivers.

It’s comforting in its messiness and left me with that warm, satisfied feeling long after finishing.

A heartfelt, emotional, and very much worth picking up, highly recommended as usual from one of my favourite authors.

🦋

4.5 ⭐

[Meagan Grauel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third installment in the Winnipeg Avalanche Hockey series. We've seen two couples (Dasan & Shiv/Ren & Felton) so far, and Denny has been a character kind of in the background of those stories, more so featured in Ren & Felton's story. You hear about what he's been going through, but nothing that's up close and detailed. So ... after a long wait (I felt like it was long anyway), we get to see Denny and Tyler and their journey from bachelor fuck boy (Denny) and adoring older brother (Tyler) to co-parenting Denny's newborn baby after the tragic loss of Ty's (the baby) mom due to childbirth complications.
There is a ton of open communication and emotional maturity on the part of so many of these characters. Denny has an amazing support group, even though it kills him to admit that he needs any help, and Tyler becomes a part of that group too. They have really in-depth conversations, examining their feelings and getting feedback from one another. And they make sure that Denny is taken care of when his focus has been on his newborn. It's really freaking sweet. I wish all guys were this open, honest, and emotionally mature. But that is why it's a work of fiction, I suppose.

While the first two books in the series are pretty kinky (Dasan & Shiv are honestly the kinkiest), this book tones that kink down. Denny does have a thing for Tyler's "slutty socks" and Tyler is really into nipple play, but that's about as juicy as things get. They are pretty horny though for 2 guys who are exhausted by taking care of a baby, they're on each others dicks often. So there's a plus there.
There is reference to the "gang bangs" that Denny has taken place in in the past and a discussion that seems like Tyler might one day join them, but only from a spectators role. I imagine its in the epilogue that's only available on Crea Reitan's website and bonus things, but the site doesn't actually send you anything if you sign up for the newsletter, which is honestly frustrating as fuck.

The thing that irritated me after a little bit, since it was brought up repeatedly is that they seem to get really stuck up on whether or not Sally would be upset with the two of them for being together, since Denny was engaged to her and Tyler was her brother. Which is really fucking dumb. Sally is literally dead and Denny didn't want to be engaged to Sally, and Sally likely didn't want to be with Denny - they just hadn't had a chance to have that conversation yet. So their guilt, while I suppose it expected, is totally unwarranted. So it brought it down to a 4/5 stars for me.

I really like Crea Reitan's books and she is one of my go to smutty MM authors. I would say that this is definitely one you should read, especially if you liked the first two books in the series. Happy Reading!

[Romantic Reads and Such · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25*s

This is my first book by Reitan and I’m not sure where to start. There are some trigger warnings so I would make sure that you read those to make sure the book is a good fit. It also discusses kinks pretty bluntly so make sure you’re OK there too. I’m kinda like Tyler, more on the slightly salted vanilla side of things, so while it’s not my thing personally I do appreciate where they are coming from and I feel like Reitan explains things well.

She also knows how to deliver the heat because Denny and Tyler are hot together. HAWT hot! While they bring the spice tho they also bring tons of emotions. I mean, Denny hits us right from page one with his guilt and his anxiety and his fear of the future. Then when Sally dies … ooof, it’s a gut punch. But Tyler comes at a time when he’s needed and they slowly get to know one another, drawn together by the miracle of a little boy and the impact from the loss of his mother.

And I love them together. I understand their hesitation considering who Sally was but they work together seamlessly. It’s pretty low angst while also being complicated, steeped in the problems that come from childhood trauma. It’s not easy, and probably could have used the advice of a professional, but I do like that all of them are willing to recognize that they may need to explore further to understand who they are.

Being my first book there is a lot of history in this world and within this friend group that I don’t know or understand. I enjoyed Denny’s story without it but I think I might have a better understanding of their dynamics and their needs with that background. Because these guys truly love each other, making a little family together that does everything they can to support one another.

They are there for Danny even before Ty’s birth and especially after, when he is barely keeping his head above water. Respecting his wishes while also recognizing that he’s not going to always ask for the help he needs. And that respect is extended to each one of their little group, doing everything they can to support and provide the care that each one of them needs. I would love to see more of this play out and am very much looking forward to seeing it in other stories.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Denny has been struggling for a while. When he learns that he is going to be a father, he panics in a number of ways. The days are ticking by closer and closer to when his child will be born. He has to decide what is best for his child’s future, even if that includes him not being in it. But before he can figure it out, the mother of his child, Sally, passes away shortly after childbirth. There is no more figuring out because the moment he sees his son, he knows he loves him. He’ll take care of him. But Denny can’t help but wonder if he is still doing right by him. Then Tyler shows up. Tyler is Sally’s brother. He was on his way to move in with Sally and demand some answers about who she was marrying when he learns she is gone. Tyler always felt like there was something Sally wasn’t saying about her relationship with Denny. And when he tracks Denny down, he has even more questions, because neither of them seem to be in the other’s lives. But that’s something he’ll have to examine later, because all he wants is to be in his nephew’s life. And in doing so, Tyler and Denny realize they need one another in more ways than one. Oof, this story hits you right in the emotions! Both of their lives are turned upside down in many ways. Denny has so much to work through but I loved that he took his responsibilities for his child so seriously in all the ways that mattered. He proved to his friends and himself that him wanting to be a dad now after believing it was something he never wanted, was his own choice because the love he feels for his kid. And for Tyler, he was willing to fight for his nephew and to keep the last bit of family in his life. He never wanted to take his nephew from Denny, he just wanted to be in their lives. And I just loved that together, the three of them, became their own family. It was just really sweet. And even sweeter when you see that Dennis and Tyler are actually definitely made for one another. They get each other in so many ways and have great chemistry. I also loved getting to know these characters and seeing some familiar faces! Another great book in this series for sure!

I received an ARC in exchange or an honest review.

[Noa Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The overwhelming feeling of acceptance, support, and care from him has my brain short-circuiting." - Tyler

"Home isn’t simply somewhere I sleep. It’s a person. It’s him." - Denny

I wish that Denny really knew Sally, his baby mama. I wish that they were in love or friends. Sally has done all the preparation for having his baby; she has bought things for the baby. She has given birth, and the ONLY thing he had to do is simply have a conversation with her about parenthood, about his doubts and feelings about becoming a dad. She sadly passed away after the birth of Tyler (Ty). Denny didn't even know that Sally had a brother named Tyler; that really showed that they didn't know each other at all and the lack of interest. That whole situation annoys me a lot. It's the mother of his child.

Sally was Tyler's sister and best friend; he has been grieving her and decided to go find Denny and help with the baby. Denny has all his friends who helped him a lot with his new situation. I LOVE the found family. I appreciate how Denny’s feelings about suddenly becoming a single dad and learning to navigate it were written. Tyler is so sweet and good for baby Tyler and Denny. I love that Denny made sure to validate Tyler's feelings about wanting to stay in baby Tyler's life. Denny and Tyler are a great team. It wasn't always easy taking care of a newborn while Denny’s mother was also constantly creating drama and unsafe situations, she just wouldn't back up, so annoying. He's trying to live his life with his baby and Tyler. I'm really glad that Denny did EVERYTHING to protect his Tylers.

I received an ARC copy of this book.

[VicReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝙿𝚎𝚗𝚊𝚕𝚝𝚢 𝚂𝚑𝚘𝚝

𝙰𝚁𝙲 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠

4.5/5 ⭐️

↓↓
I just knew going in to this book that it was going to be emotional and heavy and boy oh boy was I right.

Denny you struggling beautiful soul. Right off the bat my heart hurt for him. For his struggles when it came to parenthood, his loss, then everything that came after. I felt like even with Tyler there he didn't get a moment to truly breathe and process everything.

Oh Tyler, I love you so much. Tyler is so understanding, patient, kind and just there in a way that no one else could really be for Denny. I felt like he also didn't have a full moment to really grieve the loss of his sister. He showed up and from there it was all about baby Ty.

You would think that there would be some drama surrounding the fact that Tyler was the baby mom's brother but there was none of that. These two just fit together like they always belonged and they both really needed that.

Gah the found family and friendship aspect, STUNNING! They way they all showed up and supported Denny, Tyler and Ty. They brought food, cleaned up, just honestly being there when they needed some support and help, shows how deep their friendship goes.

As always I absolutely devoured this book. It was just so beautiful and I'm left wanting more. Thankfully though, I know how Crea's universes work and I know I will see all of these beautiful characters again 🥺

𝚆𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝚃𝙾 𝙴𝚇𝙿𝙴𝙲𝚃
💛 Loss/Grief
💛 Hockey
💛 Single Dad
💛 Friends to Lovers
💛 Chosen Family
💛 Hurt/Comfort
💛 Heteroflexible

[angie_bookrecs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book. There's just something about a Creaverse book that does it for me.

Yes, there's a lot of grief in this story, and it hurts. Baby Ty losing his mom, Tyler losing his sister, and Denny being thrown into an impossible situation where he's forced to confront everything he never wanted…it's heavy. You feel every bit of it.

But what got me was what came after.

Denny didn't just suddenly become someone else overnight. He struggled. A lot. He doubted himself. He was scared. But the moment he had that baby in his arms, he stepped up. And not just a little…he became an incredible dad. Watching that growth felt so real and so earned.

And Tyler…I loved him so damn much. The way he showed up for Denny and baby Ty, the way he stayed, supported, and loved without hesitation...while still dealing with his own grief - it was everything.

These two just fit. As co-parents and as partners, they balanced each other so perfectly.

And the found family?? Don't even get me started. The way Denny's friends showed up for him - cleaning, doing laundry, buying groceries, cooking, and just making sure he was okay...physically, mentally, and emotionally. It honestly made me emotional. Everyone deserves that kind of support.

What I really loved was how Tyler kept Sally's memory alive for baby Ty. Those little moments, reminding him of how loved he was by his mom 🥺

This book was full of love. Messy, painful, beautiful love. And I honestly didn't want it to end.

[Naurarwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story pulls at all the heartstrings from the get-go, and I mean it really yanks at them. Denny is flawed, hell, even he knows he is, but it makes his character feel real, like this could be an actual person and how their life is going. He has a fiancée and a baby on the way, two things he doesn't think he actually wants. All that changes, though, when Sally gives birth, but sadly, she loses her life to a birth complication. Denny is then left alone, with a baby he isn't prepared for and not a single clue of what he's doing.

Tyler is Sally's brother, the only family they have is each other, and he'd already agreed to move in with Sally when she had her baby to help look after him. With the loss of his sister, he also doesn't know where her baby is at first; he's hardly been told anything about Denny, but he does eventually turn up on his doorstep.

It isn't love at first sight; it's a gradual progression to a relationship that neither of the two guys saw coming. But deep down, Tyler has his theories, and with his help, Denny is actually able to look after his baby. The emotions of this book are all over the place, but in a good way. First, it breaks your heart with Sally, and then it slowly puts it back together again as Denny and Tyler get closer.

These two are honestly perfect for each other, and I loved reading every single page.

[Stacey Foss · Rating 5 out of 5]

We see Denny struggling with becoming a father and marring his baby mama. They don't truly have a relationship and he is constantly second guessing himself and what kind of parent he will be due to not having a very good childhood with his own parents. When tragedy hits and leaves him a single father, his life changes forever. Tyler has just lost not only his sister but his best friend and he has no idea were his nephew is, he is just trying to get by and find him. When Tyler finally finds Denny and little Tyler. Denny was drowning in everything when he meets Tyler and these two soon start to rely on each other. I loved the progression of their relationship, the attraction was instant but they truly formed a friendship before they moved on with more. Tyler was the one person Denny trusted with Ty the most while Denny gave Tyler a piece of his sister by making him a co-parent to Ty. Tyler and Denny deal with many struggles from Denny feeling like he is not a good father, to his mother becoming obsessive and trying to cause problems for them both. One of the best parts of the book was how everyone came out to support Denny even his siblings that he was not close with, it just warmed your heart as you read. I was given this book as an ARC for my honest review.

[Emmi (bookish_redpanda) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Format: 📱 eBook 📱 (ARC)
Check CWs before reading
Also, take note of the new depiction of series from the author - this is still the Creaverse; just her hockey series has been semi-rebranded

This has to be one of the most heartfelt, emotional books Reitan has put out for a while (and that's saying something, cause she never shies away from diving into the deep and meaningful and hard-hitting emotion) and I absolutely loved it.

It's one of those books that shows character growth and development without the character consciously thinking about it, and I think that's why it hit so hard. Reading as Denny went from "I don't want to be a dad" to doing anything for his son was just so beautiful, and honestly really tugged at the heartstrings. I love how his entire universe changed through loving his son, and through welcoming Tyler into his world, even if it was on the background of shared grief.

The depiction of grief in this is definitely one of the core elements, but I also love the budding romance between Denny and Tyler, the sheer, protective love they both have for baby Ty, and the absolute found family that comes with any of the Creaverse hockey books. At its core these are books written on strength in numbers and in different versions of love, and PS definitely shows that once more.

The drama in this one was (dare I say) perfect, even if I did want to throttle the perpetrator many times, and I love that said drama brought some relationships back and, on their way, to being mended (yes, vague, but spoilers!).

Whilst emotional and mostly sweet, don't be fooled - Reitan has certainly thrown in the spicy, and there's a few conversations regarding kink that were really interesting to read about (and could potentially pave way for some bonus scenes down the track? I can only hope).

Another amazing read in the Creaverse, and looking forward to the next hockey book - especially with the teasing of who the starring characters may be.

Thank you to the author for the eARC opportunity. These are my honest thoughts that I have provided voluntarily.

[Tasha Thrall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for this amazing opportunity to read your eARC, and I am happy to provide my honest review in return.

“People, like books, will find you when you need them the most.”

As the third installment in this heartfelt series, this book beautifully delivers profound emotions. While I long for answers to the questions that have lingered throughout our reading journey, I suspect that some mysteries are meant to remain unsolved.

The narrative masterfully highlights how we encounter people exactly when we need them, serving as gentle reminders that we aren’t alone in this chaotic world. It’s often difficult to recognize that we’re doing our best when no one is there to reassure us.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its portrayal of the importance of asking for help. It’s perfectly acceptable to develop feelings for your partner’s brother after their passing, illustrating the complexities of human emotions and relationships.

[Wilmalys · Rating 4 out of 5]

🏒ARC REVIEW🏒

Tyler and Denny were so great. I loved how they cared for baby Ty. Denny had a hard choice to nake and he didn't make it lightly..

I loved how supportive his friends were and how they rallied for him. The casseroles and laundry were just a tiny part of what they did for him.

Tyler was grieving his sister while raising her son and falling for Denny. He had a full plate but he was all in and the way he was there for Denny throught the chaos his mom was causing was beautiful.

I loved their chemistry and their banter. They had a great connection and the spice with them was 🥵 Tyler had a mouth and him and Denny was a sucker for praise 🫠🫠 I loved them! The Slutty socks and glasses 🤭🥰

Now, as a Tampa girl, I object to being called a nasty hockey fan, we're amazing and pure angels lol now the Habs fans....they're crazy and hostile 😂😂

I had a great time reading this book, loved the friendship between the guys and their extra curricular activities....🤭🤌🏽 Looking forward to Zenia's book.

[Nicole M · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is so much in this story that led to so many different emotions. I enjoyed Denny and Tyler so much, both individually and together. I enjoyed the dynamic of figuring out what life looks like in their complicated (for lack of a better word) situation. I enjoyed watching them slowly fall. I even enjoyed watching them work together/support each other while dealing with Denny's dbag mother, even though I was raging at her. Overall though, I was just left wishing to feel the impact of Sally's death more. Maybe it's me. Maybe I'm more jaded when it comes to loss, but it just felt like it should have been more significant than it was. Maybe I was looking for more conflict, but I was disappointed when there was no intense reveal after waiting for so long to get into her phone. Hurt/Comfort was a big pull for me for this story and I guess I just wanted to feel the hurt more 🤷‍♀️.

[bookingcrazzyy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gah this book pulled at my heartstrings so much. I could never imagine losing a sibling, so I instantly fell in love with Tyler and my heart broke for him.

Denny is a soon to be dad and in simple terms is NOT looking forward to it. He doesn’t have good memories from his childhood and never wanted kids. When Sally unexpectedly dies, he not only becomes a dad but a single dad.

Tyler was 100% his saving grace. Tyler just wants to be close to his nephew as the last remaining part of his sister. Denny wants all the help that he can get.

Navigating parenthood side by side makes these two notice the budding feelings and attraction between these two. They are perfect for each other and have such a wholesome love story.

Spice, friendship, found family and a little bit of drama makes this book.

I received an ARC copy of this book.

[Jessica White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Denny's story. Denny, due to a series of unfortunate events, ends up being a single father to a newborn. This is something he definitely never planned for or wanted. He's spiraling while trying to deal with the situation. The baby's mother who died after complications from childbirth, has a brother, Tyler, that was moving in with her to help her raise the baby. With the grief of losing his sister and best friend, Tyler hunts down Denny and baby Tyler, so he can be close to the last of his family. He shows up just in time, and helps Denny get settled & on track. We also have Denny's friends that show up to help where they can. Their friendship group is goals and I love them. What follows is a heartwarming story about grief, found family, friendship, parenthood, love, & with humor and steamy scenes thrown in. Would definitely recommend this book!

[Yoselin Katherin · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is so fucking awkward that it made me cringe at scenes I’d normally enjoy. I’m not a prude by any means, but the way these characters talk about and have sex made it feel gross, cheap, and straight-up wrong — especially when they keep going at it loudly with a baby in the same damn room. What the actual fuck?
There’s zero character arc or growth. The “hero” starts the book as a massive asshole and ends it as a massive asshole who now has a baby. Congratulations, I guess?
The found family dynamic has all the chemistry of wet cardboard, and the constant, random mentions of gang bangs feel too much.
If I had to describe the plot, the plot twists, and the whole reading experience: it’s like falling asleep halfway through jerking off. You weren’t expecting much, but somehow you still end up disappointed, annoyed, and wondering why you even bothered.

[Ashley Anders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Denny

Denny gets several shocks within a year, the first being that he got a girl pregnant. Unfortunately, Denny’s childhood wasn’t pleasant, and he never thought he wanted kids—mostly because he worried he would treat them the way he was treated growing up. He didn’t want any child to have to go through that.

When the woman goes into labor, Denny races to meet his son. Soon after, he finds himself becoming a single dad. Taylor packs up his entire life to move closer to his nephew. When he’s hours late arriving, Taylor does everything he can to find him, going as far as showing up on the doorstep of a shell-shocked, sleep-deprived Denny.

Together, they navigate life with a newborn, and Denny’s reluctance to be a father is soon replaced with that of an overprotective dad!

[Richelle Zirkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the mother of Denny’s child passes away, he finds himself struggling to stay afloat. His friends are helping him, but he isn’t asking for what he needs. When Sally’s brother Tyler shows up on his doorstep, he’s exactly what Denny and Ty need, allowing them to settle into a routine and find a new normal. These two have a lot to work out because they’re essentially strangers living together under the most unusual circumstances, but the chemistry between them is definitely on point. The more the two men reveal pieces of themselves to each other, the more they realize, they may just be meant for one another, and Sally may have had a plan all along. Though there is a bit of parental angst, I was cheering for their HEA and loved the way this found family came together.

[Velvet Wrapped Smut · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review.

Oh my gosh I love these two! I'm not normally one for books where a parent dies and the other is left to care for a baby, but my goodness these two captivated me.

Meeting Denny in Ren and Felton's book had me curious for his story and I am so glad that we got some answers.

Denny is definitely a flawed character, which is something I always appreciate in Crea's characters - they feel real - and getting to watch him struggle with the idea of being a parent is something I feel in my bones.

This book had me crying and laughing and I loved it! Bring on the next Winnipeg Avalanche installation immediately please!

[Michalle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Winnipeg Avalanche Hockey world. This one had lots of emotion - pain, guilt, sadness, grief but also joy, friendship and love. Denny did not have a relationship with his baby mama and it was traumatic when he unexpectedly has the new baby to raise. In comes Tyler, her brother, that wants to help and be part of his nephew’s life. I have the same problem as Denny and have problems asking for help when it is truly needed. He has wonderful friends that show up and help him without asking. It was beautiful how they came together to support each other. It really is amazing how things work out when they are needed. Tyler fit in so perfectly. I loved their story.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this group of friends so much. One of my favorite things of the Creaverse is how much overlap these books have. There are so many different characters and I love them all. I've been looking forward to this story. I normally don't like the oops a baby trope but this was just twisted enough to like it. I also really loved Tyler. His desperate need to be in his nephews life was beautiful to read. I also love how this author handles so many big things like abuse and also definitions of Kink explained in a healthy way. I adored this book.

[Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t always love a single father story, but this one is a great one. With Denny being trusted into single fatherhood while he wasn’t even planning on being a farther, the story storms off into a mental spiral for him. All of a sudden he is responsible for a human life he wasn’t even sure he wanted to be a part of. The struggle he has mentally is beautifully formed. You really feel his fear with parenthood but the live he has for his son overrides so much of it.

Tyler loses his sister, who left behind his nephew, now with a man he has never met. A man his sister barely even mentioned. He refuses to let the last connection to his sister go. When he finds his nephew, he also finds a man who is insanely hot and completely overwhelmed with fatherhood.

Together they find a way to raise the little boy that brought them into each other’s lives. The love that grows between them is amazing, it’s so subtle yet so obvious to the reader from the starts. They spark together.

Throw in the insanity that is Denny’s mother and Crea had me hooked with another book.

[Ami (Amireadsitall) · Rating 5 out of 5]

At this point I honestly don’t even have the words to fully describe this book. It was such an emotional and healing journey, and I can’t remember the last time a story hit every note so perfectly.

Crea writes with so much heart, and every single book feels special. It explores some heavy themes loss, grief, parenthood, and the struggles that come with all of it yet everything was handled so beautifully and with so much care.

What I loved most was the way everything came together towards the end. Every emotion, every moment of pain and hope, felt meaningful, and the ending was just perfect.

This one didn’t just make me emotional, it genuinely felt healing to read. It’s rare to find a story that can break your heart and comfort it at the same time, but this one absolutely did. Truly something special.

[Jordan Fiest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penalty Shot is book three of the Winnipeg Avalanche Hockey Series.

The passion between Denny and Tyler was felt almost from the first moment. However, they have an interesting relationship, as Tyler is the brother to the mother of Denny's child. This causes some issues, but nothing overly problematic. Denny goes through a big transformation, as he wasn't initially sure he wanted a child, as his childhood wasn't the best and he didn't have good role models. However, over time Tyler helps him come to terms with things and work through everything so he can be the best parent to his child.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Denny's past came rushing back when he found out he was going to be a father. The way he and Sally ignored the elephant in the room was sad and concerning, but I loved the idea that Sally was saving Denny for her brother Tyler, whom she loved more than anyone. His hockey family was awesome and so supportive. I hated the book to end, and I hope we see more of Ty, Tyler, and Denny in books to come.

I read and reviewed a copy of this book.