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Stick Around
Sometimes, the best love stories get a second shot.
Reese Marlowe knows the rules of sports keep it professional, stay impartial, and absolutely never fall for an athlete. Especially not someone like Dani Callahan—Boston’s golden girl and hockey’s reigning queen of charm. Reese learned that lesson the hard way in college, which is why she’s made it her mission to focus on her career and not the player who got away.
It’s been fifteen years since Reese and Dani last saw each other, but time hasn’t dulled the chemistry—or the pain of their breakup. She’s determined to keep things professional, even when covering Dani means constant proximity and memories she thought she’d outgrown.
Reese has worked too hard to be distracted by a rekindled romance. But as their witty banter gives way to late-night conversations, she starts to wonder if love—and Dani—might be worth the risk.
They’ve been skating around their feelings. Now it’s time for a second shot at love.
Reese Marlowe knows the rules of sports keep it professional, stay impartial, and absolutely never fall for an athlete. Especially not someone like Dani Callahan—Boston’s golden girl and hockey’s reigning queen of charm. Reese learned that lesson the hard way in college, which is why she’s made it her mission to focus on her career and not the player who got away.
It’s been fifteen years since Reese and Dani last saw each other, but time hasn’t dulled the chemistry—or the pain of their breakup. She’s determined to keep things professional, even when covering Dani means constant proximity and memories she thought she’d outgrown.
Reese has worked too hard to be distracted by a rekindled romance. But as their witty banter gives way to late-night conversations, she starts to wonder if love—and Dani—might be worth the risk.
They’ve been skating around their feelings. Now it’s time for a second shot at love.
372 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 10, 2026
About the author
Eliza Lentzski
31 books893 followersEliza Lentzski is the best-selling author of sapphic fiction, romance, and erotica including the Winter Jacket and Don’t Call Me Hero series. A historian by day, Eliza is passionate about telling the stories of marginalized communities.
Born and raised in the upper Midwest—a landscape that often shapes her novels—Eliza now lives in Boston with her wife and their cat, Charley.
Born and raised in the upper Midwest—a landscape that often shapes her novels—Eliza now lives in Boston with her wife and their cat, Charley.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 11, 2026
This book is rather perfect. I started it on my lunch break on release day and finished it at 11:55 that night! I couldn't put it down. The second chance romance is swoon worthy! What I especially love is the novel never questions if they were the right people, but rather emphasizes it was the right person wrong time. You immediately feel the MCs click like a puzzle piece. There's minimal angst but it's a slow burn. Don't worry there's a couple of explosive spicy scenes that make the wait worth it! As always her book also lends itself to advocacy, portraying the complicated and unfair treatment of transgendered youth athletes in organized sports. The afterword is particularly educational. You don't need to know the ins and outs of hockey to appreciate the book, Lentzski paints a picture everyone can appreciate! Can't recommend this book enough! I wanna be Dani!
May 2, 2026
Another very readable Eliza Lentzski book. The characters are likeable and you want them to get their own HEA. You can’t not recognise that the author is passionate about this story and it gives you, regardless of your position on this subject, perhaps a more real or relatable awareness, leaving you to do with it as you will.
April 27, 2026
4.5
Thoroughly enjoyed this sweet second chance romance. It could use a bit more angst and I would have loved some flashbacks about their past relationship, but overall I thought this was a sweet, feel-good story. Perfect to read on a lazy weekend.
I hope this author will keep writing sports novels, I'm a bit in love with her athletes.
Thoroughly enjoyed this sweet second chance romance. It could use a bit more angst and I would have loved some flashbacks about their past relationship, but overall I thought this was a sweet, feel-good story. Perfect to read on a lazy weekend.
I hope this author will keep writing sports novels, I'm a bit in love with her athletes.
April 12, 2026
Another Hat Trick
The consistency and quality of Eliza's work always leaves me anticipating her next project. She brings an enormous amount of thought and care to each story she writes, and Stick Around is no exception. She has the magic of making her characters feel so real and relatable it gives you the comfort of knowing the human experience is not as unique as it may feel sometimes and we're all truly in this together.
As Eliza mentions in the afterward, this was a story she felt compelled to write given the current climate. These are very uncertain and frightening times we live in, and it means so much to have this representation out in the world. Sports (and life for that matter) are for everyone, and I highly encourage this read to ignite solace and inspiration.
The consistency and quality of Eliza's work always leaves me anticipating her next project. She brings an enormous amount of thought and care to each story she writes, and Stick Around is no exception. She has the magic of making her characters feel so real and relatable it gives you the comfort of knowing the human experience is not as unique as it may feel sometimes and we're all truly in this together.
As Eliza mentions in the afterward, this was a story she felt compelled to write given the current climate. These are very uncertain and frightening times we live in, and it means so much to have this representation out in the world. Sports (and life for that matter) are for everyone, and I highly encourage this read to ignite solace and inspiration.
April 16, 2026
The story lacked any drama, intrigue or angst based on the premise. It wasn’t bad but it was boring. 40% into this book and nothing interesting has happened between the main characters. It’s been brief and superficial. I don’t entirely get why they were together and why they should get back together. I don’t see any chemistry and the romance is not being built very well.
“US women’s national team was compensated fairly compared to the US men’s team.” I know that’s true in soccer but I guess it’s the same in hockey.
“Let’s not dwell on the past,” I said quietly. “I’d rather think about the present.” I wish they would to give some backstory and give me a reason to root for them to get back together.
“When one of those girls leaned in a little too close, her laugh spilling out like syrup as she handed Dani a folded piece of paper, I felt something red and molten bubble up inside me.” I didn’t like that jealousy was the reason why Reese actually started to take her relationship with Dani more seriously.
“The policy applies to all USA Hockey-sanctioned play, including youth leagues, amateur divisions, and adult recreational leagues.” How are they allowed to enforce such a strict policy on recreational leagues which aren’t even professional??
“We were—” I hesitated. “We were figuring it out. It was barely official before the internet found out.” The internet didn’t “find out”, you went to a public event and got photographed with your famous date. I don’t understand how Reese didn’t think this would have immediate repercussions since she spent the start of the book avoiding Dani for this exact reason. This conflict was so predictable and it didn’t even get solved in a satisfying way.
“US women’s national team was compensated fairly compared to the US men’s team.” I know that’s true in soccer but I guess it’s the same in hockey.
“Let’s not dwell on the past,” I said quietly. “I’d rather think about the present.” I wish they would to give some backstory and give me a reason to root for them to get back together.
“When one of those girls leaned in a little too close, her laugh spilling out like syrup as she handed Dani a folded piece of paper, I felt something red and molten bubble up inside me.” I didn’t like that jealousy was the reason why Reese actually started to take her relationship with Dani more seriously.
“The policy applies to all USA Hockey-sanctioned play, including youth leagues, amateur divisions, and adult recreational leagues.” How are they allowed to enforce such a strict policy on recreational leagues which aren’t even professional??
“We were—” I hesitated. “We were figuring it out. It was barely official before the internet found out.” The internet didn’t “find out”, you went to a public event and got photographed with your famous date. I don’t understand how Reese didn’t think this would have immediate repercussions since she spent the start of the book avoiding Dani for this exact reason. This conflict was so predictable and it didn’t even get solved in a satisfying way.
May 2, 2026
This was my first time reading an Eliza Lentzski book and I have to say I’m glad I did.
This is a second chance romance between a hockey star and a women’s sports journalist who were in a relationship in college 15 years prior to the start of the story.
It’s a beautifully written slow burn romance between two women who had to part ways due to their careers, but who still long for each other after almost two decades. The chemistry was off the charts, Dani had me swooning and the spice was HOT🔥. I also loved reading the domestic scenes between them, they’re so cute. Unfortunately there’s also a third act breakup like in most books😭
The books also shines a light on the new USA hockey policy that went into effect April 1st 2026 which prohibits transgender athletes from participating in the sport at any level, reversing the policy that was set forth in 2019. The author presents this issue by introducing Charlotte’s character, a little girl whose mom is heartbroken because she doesn’t know when she will have to tell her daughter that she can’t play hockey with her friends anymore due to her being transgender. I really enjoyed this part of the plot and I feel that the author did a great job by showing the effects this policy will have on athletes and kids who don’t identify with the sex assigned at birth.
This is a second chance romance between a hockey star and a women’s sports journalist who were in a relationship in college 15 years prior to the start of the story.
It’s a beautifully written slow burn romance between two women who had to part ways due to their careers, but who still long for each other after almost two decades. The chemistry was off the charts, Dani had me swooning and the spice was HOT🔥. I also loved reading the domestic scenes between them, they’re so cute. Unfortunately there’s also a third act breakup like in most books😭
The books also shines a light on the new USA hockey policy that went into effect April 1st 2026 which prohibits transgender athletes from participating in the sport at any level, reversing the policy that was set forth in 2019. The author presents this issue by introducing Charlotte’s character, a little girl whose mom is heartbroken because she doesn’t know when she will have to tell her daughter that she can’t play hockey with her friends anymore due to her being transgender. I really enjoyed this part of the plot and I feel that the author did a great job by showing the effects this policy will have on athletes and kids who don’t identify with the sex assigned at birth.
April 19, 2026
I’ve read a lot of books by Eliza Lentzski and simply love the way she tells a story. I don’t know a thing about hockey other than how hot Olympic champion Hilary Knight is, but this did give me something I do enjoy, second chances and slow burn.
The two protagonists, Dani, a professional hockey player, and Reece, a sports reporter who moved to Boston to be a sideline reporter, were once in a relationship 15 years earlier.
Reece was adamant about not dating any athletes, that is, until she succumbed to Dani’s persistence. They found themselves back in a hot and heavy relationship with some steamy scenes. (I don’t consider this disclosure to be a spoiler because it is, after all, a sapphic love story!)
An important side to the romance was a little trans athlete, Charlotte, who loved playing hockey and only wanted to be able to play with her friends. The political climate was trending against this happening in the future, so Reece made it her mission to fight for the rights of these young athletes.
I hope every reader enjoys this as much as I did. It doesn’t matter what the subject is because Eliza Lentzski is an excellent storyteller, and she didn’t disappoint.
The two protagonists, Dani, a professional hockey player, and Reece, a sports reporter who moved to Boston to be a sideline reporter, were once in a relationship 15 years earlier.
Reece was adamant about not dating any athletes, that is, until she succumbed to Dani’s persistence. They found themselves back in a hot and heavy relationship with some steamy scenes. (I don’t consider this disclosure to be a spoiler because it is, after all, a sapphic love story!)
An important side to the romance was a little trans athlete, Charlotte, who loved playing hockey and only wanted to be able to play with her friends. The political climate was trending against this happening in the future, so Reece made it her mission to fight for the rights of these young athletes.
I hope every reader enjoys this as much as I did. It doesn’t matter what the subject is because Eliza Lentzski is an excellent storyteller, and she didn’t disappoint.
April 16, 2026
Reese Marlowe is coming back to Boston for a new job, a gig reporting on women's sports, which is surging. Worryingly, her ex, Dani Callahan, is also there on the hockey team.
Dani is all flirty and disrespecting boundaries, which pisses Reese off. She shuts that down, and after their first interview reminds her they're there for work. After a few run ins, Dani backs off a bit.
Reese softens a bit as they interact, including at informal events. Dani points out that she intends to finish out her career there, and they could try dating or something.
As this is going on, Reese meets a your girl who's attending the informal hockey events, Charlotte, who's trans. When a new ban is proposed, Reese whmrites a story opposing it, and Dani speaks out.
They do a formal event together, their dating comes out and Reese freaks. Third act breakup.
Then Reese's mom is hurt, Dani turns up at the hospital and Reese realizes she messed up. Resolution, wrap up.
3.5 stars out of 5. Good writing and story, topical issue, didnt really need the breakup.
Dani is all flirty and disrespecting boundaries, which pisses Reese off. She shuts that down, and after their first interview reminds her they're there for work. After a few run ins, Dani backs off a bit.
Reese softens a bit as they interact, including at informal events. Dani points out that she intends to finish out her career there, and they could try dating or something.
As this is going on, Reese meets a your girl who's attending the informal hockey events, Charlotte, who's trans. When a new ban is proposed, Reese whmrites a story opposing it, and Dani speaks out.
They do a formal event together, their dating comes out and Reese freaks. Third act breakup.
Then Reese's mom is hurt, Dani turns up at the hospital and Reese realizes she messed up. Resolution, wrap up.
3.5 stars out of 5. Good writing and story, topical issue, didnt really need the breakup.
April 20, 2026
Eliza Lentzski has a knack of writing about real layered people who lead layered lives and are impacted by whats going on around them. She has a knack for cutting through the noise and distilling how systems and policies decisions impact real people and putting the human face to those impacted.
This book is no different. I found this a very interesting look at journalism and it's role in sports today. The role of media corporations and their impact on what is making it to be consumed. The idea of journalistic objectivity and the dumbing down of content for reader comfort. That is before you look at the themes around sport and inclusion.
This was another good read from this author if you are looking for something that makes you think. There has never been a time we need to do that more.
This book is no different. I found this a very interesting look at journalism and it's role in sports today. The role of media corporations and their impact on what is making it to be consumed. The idea of journalistic objectivity and the dumbing down of content for reader comfort. That is before you look at the themes around sport and inclusion.
This was another good read from this author if you are looking for something that makes you think. There has never been a time we need to do that more.
May 1, 2026
🩶 Hockey player/ Reporter
🩶 Second chance
🩶 Slow burn
🩶 Forced proximity
This was such a good book! Second chance sapphic hockey? 😮💨 I’m all for it!
Dani and Reese were together in college, but life happens and they find their way back to each other 15 years later. Dani is now a professional hockey player and Reese is a sports reporter who moves to Boston to be a sideline reporter.
Reese is mean, Dani is a flirty sweetheart, and their chemistry was 🤌🏽 swooning ☺️ I enjoyed everything about this book and definitely recommend it if you’re into hot female hockey players 😏
Oh and the spice was spicing asfff 🫠
🩶 Second chance
🩶 Slow burn
🩶 Forced proximity
This was such a good book! Second chance sapphic hockey? 😮💨 I’m all for it!
Dani and Reese were together in college, but life happens and they find their way back to each other 15 years later. Dani is now a professional hockey player and Reese is a sports reporter who moves to Boston to be a sideline reporter.
Reese is mean, Dani is a flirty sweetheart, and their chemistry was 🤌🏽 swooning ☺️ I enjoyed everything about this book and definitely recommend it if you’re into hot female hockey players 😏
Oh and the spice was spicing asfff 🫠
April 18, 2026
finding your way back
Leaving college and realizing their careers are taking them in different directions and different states Dani & Reese decide the sensible thing is to breakup. Fifteen years later Reese is back in Boston not realizing Dani plays for the women’s hockey team and Reese has just been hired to cover all women’s sports. Just her luck..
This was a cute story about finding your way back to each other. That maybe what they thought was a sensible mature decision was in fact not the right one. But fortunately they got a second chance.
Leaving college and realizing their careers are taking them in different directions and different states Dani & Reese decide the sensible thing is to breakup. Fifteen years later Reese is back in Boston not realizing Dani plays for the women’s hockey team and Reese has just been hired to cover all women’s sports. Just her luck..
This was a cute story about finding your way back to each other. That maybe what they thought was a sensible mature decision was in fact not the right one. But fortunately they got a second chance.
April 30, 2026
Oooh so this is how straight girls feel about their hockey romances?!!
Sooooo good! Well written, I loved both of the characters (Dani had me swooning, giggling and kicking my feet) and an overall great story with some really important messaging.
My only complaint is still the silly plot point of a 15 year sports reporter not realizes that her ex, who is the BIGGEST NAME IN WOMENS HOCKEY, was the CAPTAIN of the team she was about to work with. Didn’t make sense and really bugged me at the beginning, but as I got more into the book I didn’t seem to care.
Sooooo good! Well written, I loved both of the characters (Dani had me swooning, giggling and kicking my feet) and an overall great story with some really important messaging.
My only complaint is still the silly plot point of a 15 year sports reporter not realizes that her ex, who is the BIGGEST NAME IN WOMENS HOCKEY, was the CAPTAIN of the team she was about to work with. Didn’t make sense and really bugged me at the beginning, but as I got more into the book I didn’t seem to care.
May 6, 2026
A good plot, plenty of angst and enough heat to make me blush!
Eliza Lentzski is a talented writer for sure. She has brought an old college couple back together and made plausible the mix of athlete meets sports writer 15 years later. It works because she took the time to really develop the characters and set the scene with imagination. This is a thoughtful, genuine love story. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
Eliza Lentzski is a talented writer for sure. She has brought an old college couple back together and made plausible the mix of athlete meets sports writer 15 years later. It works because she took the time to really develop the characters and set the scene with imagination. This is a thoughtful, genuine love story. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
May 10, 2026
Nice change of pace
I normally adore the writings of Elizabeth but I struggled to connect with the MC especially Reese, I struggled with the element of fear, running away constantly when there was no need I couldnt understand or relate to that element it only frustrated me. Otherwise as always a beautifully written story, Dani was the hilight, strength, compassion, patience perfectly balanced and developed
I normally adore the writings of Elizabeth but I struggled to connect with the MC especially Reese, I struggled with the element of fear, running away constantly when there was no need I couldnt understand or relate to that element it only frustrated me. Otherwise as always a beautifully written story, Dani was the hilight, strength, compassion, patience perfectly balanced and developed
April 14, 2026
This may not have been the book she set out to write but it is the book we needed to read. There is nothing wrong with putting meaningful information into a story in a way that the reader can think on for themselves, and Eliza Lentzski is the perfect author for that book. There is more than a love story between Reese and Dani going on between these covers.
April 16, 2026
Winning Second Chance Hockey Romance
Eliza Lentzski outdid herself with a winning second chance hockey romance between Dani, a highly regarded Boston hockey star, and sideline reporter/writer, Reese. There is also a secondary storyline that “hockey is for everyone” and how policy changes impact transgender youth.
Eliza Lentzski outdid herself with a winning second chance hockey romance between Dani, a highly regarded Boston hockey star, and sideline reporter/writer, Reese. There is also a secondary storyline that “hockey is for everyone” and how policy changes impact transgender youth.
April 16, 2026
5 stars and 5 hockey pucks good
Leave it to Eliza to write such a timely and beautiful story! If you love love, sports, hockey and a perfect message-read this book! It hits all the right notes and then some!
Leave it to Eliza to write such a timely and beautiful story! If you love love, sports, hockey and a perfect message-read this book! It hits all the right notes and then some!
May 3, 2026
Passion shows through
Another very readable Eliza Lentzski book. The characters are likeable and you want them to get their own HEA. You can’t not recognise that the author is passionate about this story and it gives you, regardless of your position on this subject, perhaps a more real or relatable awareness, leaving you to do with it as you will.
Another very readable Eliza Lentzski book. The characters are likeable and you want them to get their own HEA. You can’t not recognise that the author is passionate about this story and it gives you, regardless of your position on this subject, perhaps a more real or relatable awareness, leaving you to do with it as you will.
May 4, 2026
another masterpiece
Eliza Lentzski is an automatic purchase and read. She can spin a story and make you feel all the feels!
Outstanding writing, very topical and everyone watches women’s sports!!
Love, love, love
Eliza Lentzski is an automatic purchase and read. She can spin a story and make you feel all the feels!
Outstanding writing, very topical and everyone watches women’s sports!!
Love, love, love
April 16, 2026
Who doesn't love hockey! Finally a story in the world of PWHL. So glad I picked up this one, it's was a great read.
April 16, 2026
Such a wonderful story
READ THIS BOOK!!
You won't regret it. Even if your not a sports fan or specifically hockey.
Amazing story with characters I fell in love with
READ THIS BOOK!!
You won't regret it. Even if your not a sports fan or specifically hockey.
Amazing story with characters I fell in love with
April 20, 2026
so good!
I really enjoyed this book. Actually, I know I will enjoy every book this author writes. I definitely recommend this book.
I really enjoyed this book. Actually, I know I will enjoy every book this author writes. I definitely recommend this book.
April 21, 2026
A must read!!
I really enjoyed this story. Dani and Reese chemistry were off charts! Eliza never disappoints! Great characters and great sport story that touches on an important topic. Lovable and Sweet with some spice!
I really enjoyed this story. Dani and Reese chemistry were off charts! Eliza never disappoints! Great characters and great sport story that touches on an important topic. Lovable and Sweet with some spice!
April 30, 2026
Hockey girls communicate poorly
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews