Edmonton's first hockey romance series following The Edmonton Enforcers. Book one.
Coming off a career high, Perry realizes he’s missing out on having the family he thought he would have by thirty. A chance run in with a hard working Collins shakes up his meticulous routine and challenges every assumption he has. With the help of his chaotic teammates, Perry takes a leap of faith off the ice. Can their relationship grow while protecting her from the pressures of dating an NHL Stanley Cup Champion? Or will he give up his career for good?
Taking extra university classes to finish her Bachelor of Education early, Collins also works at Edmonton’s newest downtown patio. The Ledger becomes a popular spot among athletes--especially The Edmonton Enforcers. Collins can’t help but fall hard for the second-line defenseman who does everything in his power to prove he is worthy of her. As their relationship is tried and tested, Collins’ unwavering tenderness shows her patient strength and fierceness that has even his friends believing in love.
Can they overcome their ten-year age gap, intense careers, chaotic teammates and scrutinizing social media? Or will the pressure be too much and cause Perry to hang up his skates for good?
C.E. Boyle is a Canadian author who loves reading and writing about fantasy, romantasy and hockey romance stories. C. E. Boyle is an elementary teacher who writes part time and during mat leave. C. E. Boyle enjoys tea, treats and spending time with her husband and two kids.
This was hands down the worst book I’ve ever read. Being from Edmonton I was so excited for this to come out, but omg what a disappointment. There’s so much random shit happening, she has a weird close relationship with a handful of the guys on the team, they are also ALL in almost every scene. I get introducing other characters so you get excited about the next books, but the whole plot was more about all of them & their lives/relationship with Collins, rather than the main couple that this book is supposed to be about.. like she gifts Perry a photo of her surrounded by all the dudes and hangs it above the fireplace?? Weird. Also why is there so much fear around these guys?? So many times throughout the book someone was there “to protect her/make sure she was safe around Perry or them” .. their first time alone the other players interrupted & called her to make sure she as safe.. it was so weird.. & why are they always fist fighting each other & needing to be physically pulled apart.. I guess why they need to make sure she’s safe hahah.. anyways, the fact that anyone would rate this book 5 stars is actually insane to me
Being from Edmonton I wouldn’t let myself DNF this book, so it’s become my first official rage read. So juvenile, extremely confusing and monumentally disappointing.
ADVANCED READER COPY REVIEW The Ledger (Available June 1) C.E Boyle ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ // 🌶️🌶️ This book was so good. It had a really cozy comforting feeling. I was captured and enthralled by Collins and Perry’s story, as a vibe reader it pulled my sole focus. This book had a few of my favourite tropes: 🔥Age Gap 🔥Found Family 🔥Yearning/Slow Burn/Tension
Our FMC Collins (19 turning 20) was so refreshing and real. She is juggling finishing university, work, taking care of her sister and still fitting in time to prioritize her health. She stood her ground around a group of hockey guys, was honest and didn’t hold back. She is fierce and confident but also soft and sweet. Perry (29 turning 30), a professional hockey player for the Edmonton Enforcers and also the biggest green flag MMC, was he perfect? No. But he put in the work for her, the way he cared for Collins was absolutely adorable. He falls hard for her, but tries to fight his feeling because he is convinced he needs to “protect” her from the media and everything else that comes with his career. Seeing their relationship develop within the pages was so fun, the meet cute, the dog walks, workouts, the genuine friendship and care as well as some teasing that made me blush and kick my feet. Now for my most favourite part, The found family, the team! I loved all of the guys! The aspect of choosing a group of people that become your family is incredible! I am so excited for their stories! Especially Owen & Tobias! Last but certainly not least, I LOVED that this hockey romance was based out of Edmonton! As a local Alberta girly I felt immersed and connected to the places that the characters were going!! Some of them i’ve also been too! Can’t wait for book 2!
Genuinely the worst book I've read in ages. The story jumped around, missed important events, was not cohesive and not ONE SINGLE CHARACTER had me invested. I was bored as all hell. There was so much added that shouldn't have ever made it into the book. This could have been a 50 to 70 page novella and still wouldn't have enough story for me to give a damn. I was soooo excited for this and it was the biggest let down in 2026 for sure, if not the past few years. Thank god this is done. So help me god if i end up in a slump now. Honestly, don't waste your time.
classic problem with the first book in a series where they just throw so many characters and so much information at you it's hard to keep up LMAO very few series manage to avoid this
anyhoo I truly could not have cared less about Collins and Perry and IDC how many reasoning you give me I will never be okay with such a large age gap ESPECIALLY when one of the characters' frontal lobe isn't even fully developed yet!!!
however the rest of the team did charm me and I am already WAY more invested in literally every single other character aside from the 2 MCs here PLUS Caitlin is so nice so yes I will be continuing with the series MATTER OF FACT I am starting the ARC for book 2 this very day LMAO
I thought the story was sweet enough given that the MMC is clearly giving golden retriever vibes. Nice little escape and being based in Edmonton is a nice touch. All other cities teams referenced are also places where the NHL has teams so hockey fans can assume some level of rivalry even though due to trademarks I know the author had to rename them.
I found the author got a little too into weeds and overly descriptive in some spots where it wasn’t necessary to the story. I felt at times these descriptions made it seem like the FMC lived under a rock and didn’t know the basics of professional sports let alone hockey even though she makes a joke early on about making small talk and how the weather and hockey always work in Edmonton.
Some transitions felt a little clunkier than others. And lots of foreshadowing that made the ending feel a bit predictable.
Overall sweet hockey romance, not too much spice leaving room for story telling, and I’ll be patiently waiting for book 2 :)
2.5 stars rounded up. This wasn't the best book I've ever read but I still enjoyed it. It's a hockey romance set in Edmonton and I loved the mentions of places that I'm actually familiar with (the river valley, Wolf Willow Stairs, U of A). I'll probably continue with the series when the next one comes out.
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this early as an arc.
Soft DNFing at 18 pages in. The writing feels clunky and the formatting of the arc itself makes it hard to get into, so I’m going to wait until this comes out and I’m more in the mood.
The Ledger was the kind of book that felt like a warm hug. From the very beginning, I was completely pulled into Collins and Perry’s story. Their relationship wasn’t rushed, it was built through friendship, trust, teasing, and those little moments that make you fall for characters without even realizing it.
Collins was such a refreshing FMC. She was strong, independent, compassionate, and knew who she was. Perry was the perfect mix of protective, caring, and completely gone for her. Their chemistry, the slow burn, and the way they chose each other again and again made this story so special.
A beautiful debut and an easy recommendation for anyone who loves hockey romance, slow burn, lovable characters, and a book that feels like home. 🏒🤍
The Ledger – C.E. Boyle (ARC, out June 1, 2026)⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I *loved* this one. Like genuinely didn’t want it to end. And as someone from Edmonton, reading a local author write a hockey romance set here just hit different.
Collins (19 turning 20) is one of those FMCs you can’t help but respect. She’s juggling university, work, training people, taking care of her younger sister, and still somehow prioritizing her health. She has a lot on her plate, and you really feel that—but she never comes across as overwhelmed or weak. She’s steady, independent, and knows who she is.
Perry (29 turning 30) is a professional hockey player for the Edmonton Enforcers, coming off a Stanley Cup win. He’s confident on the ice, but off the ice? A little emotionally stunted in the most frustrating, realistic way.
They meet in the river valley while walking their dogs (Blue + Piper 🥹), and what starts as casual run-ins turns into daily walks, workouts, and honestly some of the best build-up I’ve read in a while. The chemistry is there *immediately*, but it’s the friendship that really makes it. Their banter, inside jokes, and just how easy they are together—it all feels natural.
What I appreciated most is that Collins *communicates*. She says what she wants, calls Perry out, and doesn’t let him hide behind excuses. No dragged-out miscommunication trope here, thank god. Perry, on the other hand, is convinced he needs to “protect” her because of their age gap and his career, which leads to one of the most frustrating (but believable) push-away moments. I was SO mad at him…but also understood where it was coming from.
The team dynamic is SO GOOD. The group chat? Unhinged. The friendships? Elite. You get so much personality from Tyson, Aaron, Tobias, Leith, and Dobs—and it perfectly sets up the rest of the series. Found family at its finest.
Also, the setting?? The river valley, the workouts, the new restaurant “The Ledger,” the hockey culture—it all feels so real and immersive.
There are heavier moments too that added depth (Dobs especially), and I really liked that the story didn’t shy away from serious topics while still keeping that romance at the center.
By the time Perry finally steps up, you *feel* it. And once they’re together? Obsessed. The support, the loyalty, the way Collins fits into his life and team so seamlessly—it just works.
And the epilogue?? Perfect wrap-up while still leaving me SO excited for the next book (I need to know who’s next… Tyson?? 👀).
**Tropes:**
* Hockey romance * Age gap (10 years) * Found family * “We’re just friends” * He falls first (and hard, even if he fights it) * Protective MMC * Strong, independent FMC * Forced proximity (team hangouts, workouts, etc.) * Slow burn to explosive chemistry * Series setup with interconnected characters
This is hands down one of my favourite hockey romances I’ve read, and I’ve read a lot this year. I haven’t been this invested in a series since DC Stars.
Growing up in Alberta and reading C.E. Boyle's debut novel, The Ledger, brought back the absolute best feelings for me. She mapped out the areas so vividly that it felt deeply nostalgic... completely immersing me in the story, making it feel so personal. This is a slow-burn pace with a massive heart that completely hooks you, and I legitimately could not put this book down! We have all read and loved a million sports romances, so I went into this, thinking I knew exactly what I was getting... and boy, was I wrong!
The setup sounds classic: Collins is an independent university student just trying to get through her schooling, and Perry is a defensive powerhouse for the Edmonton Enforcers. They end up crossing paths during a walk and end up building this genuine foundation of a friendship through natural banter, and those oh-so - adorable dog walks. Forced proximity and mutual pining were at their finest!
But you guys, I completely, hopelessly fell in love with Perry. On paper, he is this massive, successful NHL star. But the depth he actually has? He is a totally walking green flag, so incredibly protective, and watching him try to keep things "just friends" to protect her from his spotlight, while his unhinged teammates play matchmakers, was absolute magic.
I went into this expecting a low-angst, fun sports romance and ended up completely in my feelings. It delivers a deep, emotionally mature connection that completely stole my heart, without a painful third-act breakup. Easiest five stars ever! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I am already so incredibly excited for book two! Living for the hockey culture in this universe, I am crossing my fingers and hoping that the next installment drops us right into the high-stakes chaos of a classic Battle of Alberta rivalry on the ice! I absolutely cannot wait to purchase a physical copy of The Ledger to annotate and add to my shelves, because this is definitely a series I want to collect in its entirety!
Drop everything and add The Ledger to your Goodreads TBR right now so you do not miss it!
📚 Read if you love:
🏒 NHL Hockey Romance 🐾 Dog Walking Meet-Cute ⏳ Age Gap (MMC 30 / FMC 20) 🫂 Found Family & Chaotic Teammates 🚫 No 3rd Act Breakup / Pure Comfort
***A massive thank you to C.E. Boyle for the privilege of reading this ARC! 🩵 All thoughts and opinions are completely my own. ***
📕The Ledger (ARC - Available June 1) ✏️ C. E Boyle Series/standalone: future series
Rating: ❤️❤️❤️ ❤️// 🌶️ 🌶️
📚 Tropes: age gap // Found family // Slow Burn
🎶Swiftie Feels: It’s Nice to Have a Friend 💖 “ You've been stressed out lately? Yeah, me too Something gave you the nerve To touch my hand”
🫰 Why We Love: Low angst, low drama and no third act breakup. This is a COMFORT read where you know everything is going to end up okay. If you are an Alberta Teacher girlie, this book is for us! Our FMC Collins is finishing up her finals years at U of A to become an Elementary School teacher. While walking her dog she meets NHL Defensemen Perry, who just so happens to be coming off a night of winning the Stanley Cup for his team the Edmonton Enforcers. They have an instant connection, however Perry is concerned with the age gap (he’s 29 and she’s 19) as well as wanting to protect her teaching career and her from the scrutiny of his career. The highlight for me of this book though was the found family! The personalities of the supporting characters are huge and there were a couple (looking at you Leith) who quite literally stole the show.
❤️🩹 The Good and The Bad I almost rated this at a 3 star as there are some added minor plot points that seemed like they were rushed and thrown in as an afterthought felt like these were to build up for future books, but I wish they were saved for future books (which I WILL BE READING) instead of being shoved in. However, the character building and found family aspect is THAT GOOD that I couldn’t give it any less than 4.
🍆Takeaway Book Boyfriends: Perry 🏒 NHL Defenseman / Stanley Cup champion who feels like he’s always picked second. He will do anything to protect the woman he loves ❤️ DID I mention he is a dog dad too?!
Bonus Boyfriend- Leith 🏒 self proclaimed “best friend” a golden retriever PUPPY who just wants attention and love. Literally steals the show whenever he is on page.
I had the amazing opportunity to beta read The Ledger, the first book in the Edmonton Enforcers series and there are so many good tropes packed into this one. Let’s go pucking wild for a hockey romance!
We’ve got: ✨ Age gap (10 years-she’s 20, he’s 30) ✨ Found family ✨ Meet cute ✨ Workout dates with their dogs ✨ Playful teasing & Banter ✨ Teacher & Pro Hockey player
Collins was such a standout FMC for me. I loved how she handled herself around all the hockey guys. She always stood her ground, spoke honestly, and never held back. At 20, that level of confidence and clarity about what she wants is rare, and it made her feel strong and refreshing.
Perry was a total green flag MMC. The way he cared about Collins so quickly was adorable, but his hesitation because of the age gap made him feel real and grounded. That push-pull between wanting her and trying to do the “right thing” added such a great layer of tension.
Their relationship was just so fun to watch & read. The dog walks, the workouts, the teasing… it all felt natural and sweet without losing that chemistry.
And the team? I loved every single one of the hockey guys. The found family element really shines here, they all adore Collins, and it’s so clear she stands out in a way none of the other girlfriends ever have.
You can also tell a lot of care went into setting up the rest of the series. Each player feels distinct, and I’m already excited to see their stories unfold. I have to say I’m especially looking forward to Leith & Aaron’s stories!
Thank you C.E Boyle for letting me be part of the beta process. I can’t wait to see what you do next with this series!!
Thank you C.E. Boyle for this ARC! It is UNBELIEVABLY refreshing to read a hockey romance with ACTUAL hockey (and all the ugly sides of the league) and it’s weaved in so well with the romance. The hockey side was very well written and I can see lots of correlations with real events and news from around the NHL. Bonus that some of it was written for readers who may not know much about the sport and the league.
Now, the romance! I love when main characters in a romance novel have a solid mutual ground - and not just attraction. Whether it’s hobbies, interests, or similar opinions and perspectives on life and work. This was Perry and Collins, and because of that, it kept my attention. I found that a lot of aspects of their relationship fit the hockey trope perfectly. The good and bad were all relatable. Simply put: not cringey, I didn’t shake my fists at them, and no eye rolling!
Collins shows the reader the importance of trusting your instincts and not being afraid to fight for the life you want. She shows up for the people she cares about. Perry displays inspiring perseverance despite all the challenges and uphill battles in his life and through this book. He shows us the importance of balance and prioritizing your wellbeing. Finally, he exemplifies the important of following your heart. They both have similar insecurities and I enjoyed watching them work through it. I cannot WAIT to read more from this series!
What I love about this story: 🇨🇦 Author is Canadian, set in Canada ⛸️🏒NHL defenseman 📚✏️Student teacher 💕 Dual POV 🩶Age gap 🫂 Found (chaotic) Family 🚫 No third-act breakup!!! 🐾 Dogs fell in love first 💘 FRIENDS TO LOVERS Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
0.5 ⭐️ (unfortunately cannot put less than one star)
I have to say, I was hoping I was just claiming ignorance with this author, but after seeing that she’s an educator herself (I am too), explicitly stating that Alberta schools still use corporal punishment (not in a joking manner, which I was hoping it would turn into some sarcastic joke) was the absolute last straw for me giving this a half-decent rating. (I know that in 2026 there were some private schools caught using belts in Alberta , portraying corporal punishment as though it’s a normal part of Alberta schools today is simply inaccurate and incredibly frustrating.)
This was literally the most frustrating read because half the time I was so damn confused about where we were in the timeline. There were so many moments that just flew by when they should’ve been much bigger topics, and others that dragged on way toooooo long.
Also, I understand it’s a hockey romance and there are a lot of teammates, but did we really need half the roster in nearly every single scene? It became overwhelming and made it difficult to focus on the characters who actually mattered!
And to completely throw in the whole “Dobs was the creation of rape, that’s why he’s aggressive” shit just seemed unnecessary, poorly executed, and reduced an incredibly serious topic to a shallow explanation for his behavior.
I don’t even know if I can fully explain my frustrations with this book without coming off as a complete jerk, but I am highly disappointed that, as a Canadian hockey lover and teacher, this Canadian-written story was so awful and poorly executed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This book was a 3.8 rounded to 4⭐️for me. I was honoured to receive an ARC copy from the author (thank you) and this is my honest opinion of the book.
All it all, I liked it. I like how the MMC is ready to find someone he can call “his life mate” outside of hockey, and I liked the found family feeling. The relationship of those hockey team mates is more similar to a fraternity dynamic than a pro team, but I don’t know any NHL player, so I really can’t say. The FMC, Collins, is very different from me, nevertheless I liked her, she’s very believable and… finally a girl who’s not simply jumping from one bed to the next in her early 20s nor she drinks like there’s no tomorrow:)
What I found a bit unusual/ difficult to believe, was how much the MMC shared with his team, that relationship felt morbid at times: he even turned her down in front of the close group and asked her to be her girlfriend a few months later … and he’s 30? I mean… I get it, the 30s are the new 20s, but basically dating for months and then asking to be her girlfriend? What are you, 12? Yeah, that wasn’t really believable if you ask me.
The other team mates characters are one more interesting than the other, so… as long as they don’t “clean their laundry” in front of each other… I’m curious to read about all of them.
Lastly, but this is only because it was an advanced copy, the pdf for ebook was a struggle to read as it was too small, so it took me 2 weeks to read this book instead of the usual 3 days top. ;)
This book had so many raw and comforting moments and it’s definitely one in my re read section.
Collins (19 just turned 20) shows what it is like for a lot of people who need to juggle, university, work and looking after her little sister to make sure she has everything she needs to succeed in life, whilst remembering that she needs time for herself and to take those moments.
And Perry (29 just turned 30), trying to fight his feelings for Collins because of the age gap they have and trying his hardest to keep it remaining as friends, but he falls hard and fast and does everything in his power to show Collins what she is worth. He makes mistakes, but I think that shows the raw emotion behind how he feels for her and when he puts in the work to make sure the same thing does not happen again Green flag man.
I loved their story from start to finish, watching not only their individual characters develop, but them as a couple and their relationship.
Also shout out to the rest of the Enforcers. These men are all brilliant and amazing in their own right, although their is a bit of tension between the boys and Collins at first, once you get a snippet into their backstory it makes sense and you can understand them.
C.E.Boyle, I am so thankful I got to read this arc the beauty within this book was outstanding and I can’t wait to see which enforcer you write about next 💕💕
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
ADVANCED READER COPY REVIEW The Ledger (Available June 1) C.E Boyle
I really liked this one! *The Ledger* is such a refreshing, comfort read.
The standout for me was the relationship between Collins and Perry. Instead of just instant, mindless attraction, they build a genuinely solid foundation of friendship first. Their banter and inside jokes felt completely natural. I especially loved all of their workout and dog-walking dates with Blue and Piper—those scenes were absolutely adorable and added such a fun, unique element to their story.
Collins is a fantastic FMC. She is driven, independent, and juggling so much between university, work, and taking care of her sister, yet she never feels weak. I loved her personality and how she consistently stands her ground, communicates what she wants, and doesn't let the hockey guys get away with anything.
Speaking of the guys, the found family aspect of the Edmonton Enforcers team is elite! The team dynamic and the unhinged group chats brought so much joy and humor to the book. They all wrap their arms around Collins, and you can't help but fall in love with the whole crew.
The only reason it’s not a perfect 5 stars is that a few transitions between chapters felt rushed or unconnected, but it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment. I am so excited for this to become a series and absolutely cannot wait to watch the rest of the guys on the team find their own love stories!
Let’s start with the fact this is a debut author — from Canada, a teacher, and a mom. Other people have said it before, but she definitely gives a found family vibe along the lines of Stephanie Archer, while still very much being her own thing.
Perry has just come off the high of winning Lord Stanley, and this story is broken down into months as we watch him realize he’d like to settle down or find someone he actually wants to spend time with.
Collins has had a hard life. She’s working so hard in college to graduate early and start teaching. She has a second job, and she’s also a dog mom — which, of course, is where she meets our man Perry.
Here’s the deal: she has no idea who he is. And we all know how that usually goes. They end up meeting again while she’s working her second job, and he still hasn’t told her who he is. But here’s where things get interesting: she isn’t upset. Collins basically says he doesn’t owe her every detail about himself while they’re still getting to know each other, especially considering he literally just won the Stanley Cup.
This story has meddling friends who absolutely adore Collins, and Perry’s biggest hang-up is her age — she’s 20 to his 30. The age gap is written so well and honestly feels done to perfection.
Here’s the deal: this story is super cute, and I cannot wait for book two. I definitely think you all need to add this one to your TBR.
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC for my new Favourite Hockey Romance book!!
The Ledger has the most beautiful setting, and CE Boyle really immerses you into Edmonton, as someone who’s never been. I feel like I can picture it better than my last holiday destination. The characters are beyond lovable, with goofy, quirky side characters that you begin rooting for and hoping they get their own book too.
If you’re looking for a book that gives strong Found Family vibes, a loving and patient MMC that just wants to find someone to make his whole world and theirs the same, this book is a must-read!!
This book gave me all the feels with none of the ick, and it’s proof that you can have natural communication issues in a book without it being blatant miscommunication, which I absolutely loved! It was the most real, healthy, and non-toxic depiction of a relationship I’ve read in ages, and I’m HERE FOR IT!!!
The biggest, most beautiful plot point in this book for me was that neither FMC nor MMC ever felt like the main character, the first choice, the best friend until they found each other, and time and time again throughout the book, they choose each other and make each other a priority. You sprinkle that with two adorable dogs, chaotic teammates, and some spicy scenes, and this book was an easy 10/10 for me!!
I usually finish a book and move on. But I felt like I had to say something about this one because I wanted so badly to love it.
As someone from Edmonton, I was so excited to find a hockey romance set in my hometown. Reading about familiar places and local references was what made me pick it up, and it’s honestly why I kept trying to push through.
Unfortunately, there was just too much going on for me. The book seemed to focus on everyone at once, and I never felt like I got a solid enough foundation with Collins and Perry before being pulled into the rest of the team and all of their individual stories.
Some parts were also overly specific or detailed in ways that slowed everything down, especially when I was still trying to connect with Collins and Perry.
The plot itself was cute enough, and Collins had real potential with everything she was going through. I wanted to care about what happened to her, but I eventually realized I was forcing myself to keep reading instead of actually wanting to pick the book back up.
I also think Collins being 19 played a part. I’m finding it harder to connect with protagonists that young now, and I tend to prefer characters who are a little further into adulthood.
There were definitely pieces here that could have worked for me, but I never felt grounded enough in the main characters to stay invested.
I had the pleasure of reading an ARC of The Ledger by C.E. Boyle*, and it was such a fun, bingeable read!
This age gap hockey romance completely pulled me in, I ended up reading it in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down. The pacing was quick and engaging, making it an easy book to fly through while still feeling invested in the characters and their story.
One of my favourite parts was the representation of Collins as a student in teachers college. As someone familiar with that world, it felt really authentic and refreshing to see that stage of life portrayed so accurately in a romance. It added an extra layer of relatability that I don’t often see.
The chemistry between Perry and Collins was strong, and the hockey romance elements were woven in really well without overpowering the relationship development. If you love sports romance with a bit of an age gap dynamic, this definitely hits the mark.
Overall, this was a super enjoyable, easy read with great pacing and relatable elements, perfect for when you’re in the mood for something you can devour in one sitting. A solid 4 stars from me!
Thank you C.E Boyle, because you trust me with your book. And I’m the worst because I did beta read it and then read it again when you made some changes, and my review was stuck in my head for a long time.
If you love hockey romance, cute romance, with found family and a lot of fun scenes, this book is for you!!
Honestly, at first, I was a bit afraid of not liking Collins because she’s younger than me, she’s nineteen. I was scared that her behaviour wouldn’t work with her age and everything. But I was wrong, she was absolutely great and amazing character. I love how she stands for herself in front of her brother and Perry’s teammates!
Perry is such a green man, like he could be the green or the forest! I love how he’s with her and everyone that he loves.
These two are meant to be together! They fit each other in a way, that makes believe everything is possible with love!
I love how C.E Boyle built her universe, every character is amazing and I need to more about every single one!! Even Violet and Colton which Collins’ brother. She did an amazing job in creating this story!
We meet uni student Collins and her dog Piper who is out for walk when she runs into a cute dog and his extremely handsome owner Perry. Perry's life is hockey and his dog but after winning the Stanley Cup this year...he feels like he is missing out on wanting love. He likes Collins and as he gets to know her better he really wants to be with her but she's only 19...he's 10 years older. Boys...why r they so clueless. Collins is busy with school, work and soon to be student teaching that she makes time to hang out with Perry and his friends who are now her friends too. but when the boys open their mouths on how she's too young for Perry, she goes off on all of them. Perry needs to man up or let her go but he can't. Perry realizes there is more to life than just hockey but Collins reminds him its part of him too and its his family. A wild ride thru breakups, losses, hockey rivals and high energy dogs makes this a good story. Now...let the next books bring more insight to rest of the boys ;)
The Ledger was such a joy to read. There’s something magical about seeing Edmonton brought to life on the page—the landmarks, the atmosphere, the little details only locals truly appreciate. It gave me goosebumps in the best way. And their dogs🩷 pure magic.
Collins and Perry had me hooked from the start. Their banter is sharp, their chemistry is undeniable, and the slow build of their relationship is so satisfying. And the hockey? Absolutely on point.
I laughed out loud more times than I can count—especially during their “special dates” that never stayed private for long. Perry’s sidekicks crashing the moment (or casually tagging along like it’s no big deal) was pure comedy. The Edmonton Enforcers redefine team spirit.
C. E. Boyle delivers a gem of a hockey romance. For a first‑time author, this is an incredibly strong start. The age‑gap dynamic is handled with charm and heart, and the whole story feels fresh, fun, and full of warmth.
First I want to thank the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy of The Ledger!
I really enjoyed The Ledger overall! Perry (MMC) was super easy to like, though at times he felt a bit immature for 30—especially early on with how he handled the breakup and let his friend group influence things. The teammate “found family” dynamic was fun, even if it leaned a little toxic at times 😬
The FMC was likeable too, though I didn’t always feel fully connected to her. I did love that Collins prioritized her school and career over her relationship—it was refreshing to see a romance where the guy isn’t her whole world.
The writing flowed well and was easy to read, but some chapter transitions were a bit abrupt. I also found it confusing at first keeping track of characters since they switch between first and last names a lot.
That said, I really liked how the author made me care not just about Perry and Collin, but also his teammates. Definitely curious to see where their stories go next!
I had the pleasure of reading an early ARC of The Ledger by Edmonton-based Canadian author C.E. Boyle, and I absolutely loved it!
As an Edmonton local, being able to picture everything so clearly because of all the city references made the story feel even more special and immersive. The book gave me major Playing for Keeps vibes — it was sweet, fun, comforting, and kept me wanting more the entire time.
The character growth and love story were beautifully done, and the found-family/friend-group dynamic made me wish I could be part of their circle. I also really appreciated the low-drama storyline — no unnecessary, dramatic breakup, which was such a refreshing change for a romance novel.
The spice level was minimal but perfectly balanced, adding just enough heat without taking away from the story itself. And the dogs? Such a cute addition — honestly, I wish there were even more dog moments!
Overall, this was a cozy, feel-good hockey romance with lovable characters, strong friendships, and a heartfelt love story. ⭐️ 4/5 stars
I loved this book! This one hooked me from the start, the Canadian slang and made me scream from excitement! The fact that it felt like real an actual hockey team in a massive Canadian hockey city was honestly so refreshing! And I mean of this was the only way for that certain Edmonton Team to win the cup hell ya 😏😝 Both of the MC in this were well rounded down to earth at the start. I loved that they both had a solid start in their careers. Yes they both had their issues but I just really enjoyed the fact they had something outside of each other. The banter between Collin’s and Perry’s teammates was so hilarious even after they did her so wrong they all made up for it on their own ways. Perry, this sweet hockey player man. I just adore him even though he kept giving Collin’s mixed signals he grovelled as he should. They both kind of had insecurities that they did work through together and it was really sweet. I’m just absolutely obsessed with the Canadian ways in this, it was seriously perfection. Ya bud that’s right 😏🇨🇦
Is it just me that gets weirded out when you read books and you know the exact place they were talking about? The stairs and the trail that Collins and Perry go to - I can just picture it immediately lol
Anywho, I did find myself having a good time reading this. I was kind of hesitant at first cause of the 10-year age gap as well as the insta-love between the two. The characters are all so well written out - Collins is an amazing FMC and the rest of the Enforcers are just hilarious goofballs. Yes, even Owen. Perry just kind of grew on me because I just get the ick about the whole him getting mad when his CHOSEN family gets all affectionate with Collins. Also, I just find it hilarious (IN FICTION ONLY) how obsessed the friend group is with Collins. The story did not have any dead "air". Every chapter was entertaining and although sometime confusing cause of the timeline. I found myself laughing a lot through some scenes which is already a bonus for me.
I think I will continue with this series and I'm excited for what happens next!
I was lucky enough to receive this as an arc and let me tell you I WILL biting at the bits for the next few years for the rest of the series!
The doggy meet cute, the friends first dynamic, the action packed games scenes, the effort they put into each other, and the chaotic friends claiming her as family was all perfection! I loved EVERY second of this book. It was sweet and easy to read and addictive. It was like catching up with an old friend and hearing the story of how life has been for her the last year or so.
Aside from the romance side, the author put in effort to ensure that those of us that aren't big in the hockey world would understand everything that was happening. It was refreshing and still a lot of fun to read the game scenes and all the hockey talk because of that effort.
With that, if you are a sports/hockey romance reader: you will adore this book and i highly recommend it!