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Mustangs #4
Trade It All
Dean Kincade has spent his life in control.
As head coach of the Chicago Mustangs, every decision he makes is calculated, every move deliberate, and every line carefully drawn.
Until Maddie.
The team’s social media manager is chaos wrapped in sunshine, with a camera in her hand, a stubborn streak a mile wide, and a way of slipping past every wall Dean has ever built.
She was never supposed to be his.
But stolen nights turn into whispered promises, secret hotel rooms turn into vows neither of them expected, and suddenly Dean is risking everything for the one woman he can’t let go.
His career.
His reputation.
His carefully ordered life.
Because once Dean decides Maddie is his, walking away is no longer an option.
Not for him.
Not for anyone who tries to come between them.
Trade It All is a steamy hockey romance filled with secret love, protective husband energy, found family, and a hero willing to trade it all for his wife.
As head coach of the Chicago Mustangs, every decision he makes is calculated, every move deliberate, and every line carefully drawn.
Until Maddie.
The team’s social media manager is chaos wrapped in sunshine, with a camera in her hand, a stubborn streak a mile wide, and a way of slipping past every wall Dean has ever built.
She was never supposed to be his.
But stolen nights turn into whispered promises, secret hotel rooms turn into vows neither of them expected, and suddenly Dean is risking everything for the one woman he can’t let go.
His career.
His reputation.
His carefully ordered life.
Because once Dean decides Maddie is his, walking away is no longer an option.
Not for him.
Not for anyone who tries to come between them.
Trade It All is a steamy hockey romance filled with secret love, protective husband energy, found family, and a hero willing to trade it all for his wife.
455 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 23, 2026
About the author
Jennifer Smith
13 books81 followersI live in a beautiful river town in North Carolina with my husband, kids, in-laws and fur babies. I love to travel and books. If I am not reading one I am writing one. I love how a book can give you an escape from our normal world. You can be anywhere and become anyone.
I want anyone reading one of my books to remember this....
you are worthy, you are loved, you are wanted!
I want anyone reading one of my books to remember this....
you are worthy, you are loved, you are wanted!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
May 23, 2026
5🌟, 3🌶️
This book somehow managed to feel intense, comforting, and emotional all at once.
Dean and Maddie’s chemistry pulled me in almost immediately, and the forbidden aspect made every interaction between them feel even more loaded. The tension was so well done because it never felt forced. It was all in the quiet moments, the lingering looks, and the way Dean always seemed to notice when something was wrong before anyone else did.
Dean was easily the standout for me. He had that perfect balance of grumpy, protective, and secretly soft that makes a hockey romance impossible to put down. I also really loved how much heart the story had underneath all the tension. Maddie’s emotional struggles felt genuine, and the team brought so much warmth and chaos to the book that it made the found family side of the story just as enjoyable as the romance itself.
There were a couple slower moments here and there, but overall I got completely wrapped up in this story and these characters. The romance had the perfect mix of longing, comfort, and emotional weight without losing the fun side of the book.
Overall, this was such an emotional and addictive hockey romance.
~~~~
Huge thank you to the lovely author, Jennifer Smith, for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
This book somehow managed to feel intense, comforting, and emotional all at once.
Dean and Maddie’s chemistry pulled me in almost immediately, and the forbidden aspect made every interaction between them feel even more loaded. The tension was so well done because it never felt forced. It was all in the quiet moments, the lingering looks, and the way Dean always seemed to notice when something was wrong before anyone else did.
Dean was easily the standout for me. He had that perfect balance of grumpy, protective, and secretly soft that makes a hockey romance impossible to put down. I also really loved how much heart the story had underneath all the tension. Maddie’s emotional struggles felt genuine, and the team brought so much warmth and chaos to the book that it made the found family side of the story just as enjoyable as the romance itself.
There were a couple slower moments here and there, but overall I got completely wrapped up in this story and these characters. The romance had the perfect mix of longing, comfort, and emotional weight without losing the fun side of the book.
Overall, this was such an emotional and addictive hockey romance.
~~~~
Huge thank you to the lovely author, Jennifer Smith, for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
May 19, 2026
ARC Reader
⭐️ ♾️ Dean might actually be my new favorite grumpy MMC. Protective, pierced, obsessed with Maddie, and giving nonstop “touch her and die” energy? Say less. The forbidden romance tension mixed with the hockey setting and Maddie’s lovable personality made this impossible to put down. Absolutely devoured this book!!!
⭐️ ♾️ Dean might actually be my new favorite grumpy MMC. Protective, pierced, obsessed with Maddie, and giving nonstop “touch her and die” energy? Say less. The forbidden romance tension mixed with the hockey setting and Maddie’s lovable personality made this impossible to put down. Absolutely devoured this book!!!
May 10, 2026
When you find someone you love more than something you thought would always have the number one spot in your heart, only a fool would let it go!
1) our MMC Dean is no fool
This is a Forbidden love, Age gap, Hockey romance with lots of sweet moments between the two MCs, and the found family.
There is even a character we all love to hate, and you have to read it to see him get what he deserves. 👊
If you love a man who will *literally* bust down a door to get to you, Hockey 🏒, and when he calls you baby… time to add this to your TBR!
1) our MMC Dean is no fool
This is a Forbidden love, Age gap, Hockey romance with lots of sweet moments between the two MCs, and the found family.
There is even a character we all love to hate, and you have to read it to see him get what he deserves. 👊
If you love a man who will *literally* bust down a door to get to you, Hockey 🏒, and when he calls you baby… time to add this to your TBR!
May 24, 2026
Rcvd an ARC from the author.
We meet hockey coach Dean who is called by his media specialist about a player who was just attacked. He takes her home so she isn't alone. He can't be with her bc she works for him. Fast forward a year, Maddie is still reeling from Luka's attack by way of nightmares. Her boyfriend Tyler doesn't want to hear it so she makes herself small to keep from his wrath. But a bad turn of events has Maddie hurt, Dean and Luka are there to help her. Dean cant keep his feelings for Maddie bottled up anymore. She is his and he will do whatever he needs to do to make sure she knows it. Maddie needs to feel safe and secure after what has happened and Dean provides that for her but wants to keep it on the DL. Will Dean be able to keep his caveman ways in check? Will Maddie get her happy ending? Great storyline, drama, love from a far and showing up matters makes this a wonderful read.
We meet hockey coach Dean who is called by his media specialist about a player who was just attacked. He takes her home so she isn't alone. He can't be with her bc she works for him. Fast forward a year, Maddie is still reeling from Luka's attack by way of nightmares. Her boyfriend Tyler doesn't want to hear it so she makes herself small to keep from his wrath. But a bad turn of events has Maddie hurt, Dean and Luka are there to help her. Dean cant keep his feelings for Maddie bottled up anymore. She is his and he will do whatever he needs to do to make sure she knows it. Maddie needs to feel safe and secure after what has happened and Dean provides that for her but wants to keep it on the DL. Will Dean be able to keep his caveman ways in check? Will Maddie get her happy ending? Great storyline, drama, love from a far and showing up matters makes this a wonderful read.
May 30, 2026
Oh my goodness
I waited for this book to come out in what felt like forever. As soon as it hit the KU it was mine! I have loved all of Jennifer Smith's books but some how I knew this one was the one. The last of the hockey romance hit and hit hard. This is the love story I knew I was waiting for! Jennifer hats off to you! This was amazing.
I waited for this book to come out in what felt like forever. As soon as it hit the KU it was mine! I have loved all of Jennifer Smith's books but some how I knew this one was the one. The last of the hockey romance hit and hit hard. This is the love story I knew I was waiting for! Jennifer hats off to you! This was amazing.
May 19, 2026
“You’ve got three seconds to bring Madison out here…..or I will walk into your house and I will use my bare hands to make sure you understand why that was a mistake.”
Forbidden Romance ✔️
Age Gap ✔️
Pierced MMC ✔️🔥
Touch her and pay ✔️🔥🔥🔥
Damsel in distress ✔️
This is the story you’ve been rooting for since Mustangs Book 1, and it does not disappoint. Dean is the perfect mix of rough, protective but caring. And did I mentioned pierced? 🥵 Maddie has just enough demons to need saving from - but still can carry her own when it comes to Dean.
Forbidden Romance ✔️
Age Gap ✔️
Pierced MMC ✔️🔥
Touch her and pay ✔️🔥🔥🔥
Damsel in distress ✔️
This is the story you’ve been rooting for since Mustangs Book 1, and it does not disappoint. Dean is the perfect mix of rough, protective but caring. And did I mentioned pierced? 🥵 Maddie has just enough demons to need saving from - but still can carry her own when it comes to Dean.
May 26, 2026
This is my third book by Jennifer Smith and my second in the Mustangs series, and one thing I can confidently say is that she writes genuinely strong interconnected standalones.
Even without reading every book in the series, I never feel lost or like I’m missing major emotional context. That’s especially impressive in a hockey romance series where there are constant appearances from teammates, established couples, and ongoing friendships that clearly developed in previous installments. The world feels connected without making new readers feel excluded, which I really appreciated.
At the center of Trade It All is the relationship between Dean and Maddie, and that was definitely the strongest aspect of the book for me. Their chemistry felt believable, the emotional connection was solid, and the more protective, deeply devoted side of Dean worked well within the story. There are also a few heavier plotlines woven throughout the romance, and I thought those moments were handled with the nuance and care they deserved instead of being used purely for shock value.
That said, I think I’ve officially come to terms with the fact that hockey romances as a subgenre just may not be for me. Ironically, the romance itself could have functioned almost exactly the same without the hockey backdrop. The emotional beats, relationship development, and major conflicts were strong enough to stand on their own regardless of the sports setting.
My biggest struggle with this book was actually the writing style itself.
There’s a very specific sentence structure that gets repeated frequently throughout the book: “It’s not X. It’s not Y. It’s Z.” Once I noticed it, I couldn’t stop seeing it everywhere. Sometimes it appeared multiple times within the same paragraph alongside other forms of listing or stacked sentence fragments. I remember noticing this in the previous Mustangs book I read as well, so it started to feel less like an occasional stylistic choice and more like a writing crutch the author leans on heavily.
Unfortunately, it pulled me out of the story pretty consistently.
The spice was also a bit hit-or-miss for me. There were moments that worked well, but the book briefly introduced what seemed like an attempt at a dom/sub dynamic that never really went anywhere. Lines about Maddie “doing whatever he says now” felt thrown in more for intensity than as part of an intentionally developed power exchange dynamic. There’s absolutely a difference between dominant energy during intimate scenes and actual BDSM dynamics, and this book seemed to blur those lines without fully understanding or committing to either.
It wasn’t necessarily bad—it just felt underdeveloped and a little performative rather than authentic.
Overall, I still enjoyed the relationship, the interconnected world, and the emotional core of the story enough to have a good time with it. While the writing style and certain choices kept it from being a higher rating for me, Jennifer Smith continues to write compelling couples and easy-to-follow interconnected romances that are very approachable even for readers jumping into the middle of the series.
Even without reading every book in the series, I never feel lost or like I’m missing major emotional context. That’s especially impressive in a hockey romance series where there are constant appearances from teammates, established couples, and ongoing friendships that clearly developed in previous installments. The world feels connected without making new readers feel excluded, which I really appreciated.
At the center of Trade It All is the relationship between Dean and Maddie, and that was definitely the strongest aspect of the book for me. Their chemistry felt believable, the emotional connection was solid, and the more protective, deeply devoted side of Dean worked well within the story. There are also a few heavier plotlines woven throughout the romance, and I thought those moments were handled with the nuance and care they deserved instead of being used purely for shock value.
That said, I think I’ve officially come to terms with the fact that hockey romances as a subgenre just may not be for me. Ironically, the romance itself could have functioned almost exactly the same without the hockey backdrop. The emotional beats, relationship development, and major conflicts were strong enough to stand on their own regardless of the sports setting.
My biggest struggle with this book was actually the writing style itself.
There’s a very specific sentence structure that gets repeated frequently throughout the book: “It’s not X. It’s not Y. It’s Z.” Once I noticed it, I couldn’t stop seeing it everywhere. Sometimes it appeared multiple times within the same paragraph alongside other forms of listing or stacked sentence fragments. I remember noticing this in the previous Mustangs book I read as well, so it started to feel less like an occasional stylistic choice and more like a writing crutch the author leans on heavily.
Unfortunately, it pulled me out of the story pretty consistently.
The spice was also a bit hit-or-miss for me. There were moments that worked well, but the book briefly introduced what seemed like an attempt at a dom/sub dynamic that never really went anywhere. Lines about Maddie “doing whatever he says now” felt thrown in more for intensity than as part of an intentionally developed power exchange dynamic. There’s absolutely a difference between dominant energy during intimate scenes and actual BDSM dynamics, and this book seemed to blur those lines without fully understanding or committing to either.
It wasn’t necessarily bad—it just felt underdeveloped and a little performative rather than authentic.
Overall, I still enjoyed the relationship, the interconnected world, and the emotional core of the story enough to have a good time with it. While the writing style and certain choices kept it from being a higher rating for me, Jennifer Smith continues to write compelling couples and easy-to-follow interconnected romances that are very approachable even for readers jumping into the middle of the series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
There was this constant, undeniable pull between Maddie and Dean that practically bled through every scene they shared. Dean knows he shouldn’t cross that line. He’s the coach, and he tries so hard to keep everything professional, even while every instinct in him is focused entirely on her. But the thing about Dean is that he notices everything. The shift in Maddie’s posture. The way she goes quiet. The tiny changes in her behavior that nobody else catches. He always knows when something is wrong long before she says a word.
What I loved so much was that Maddie never had to stand alone, even when she tried to. The entire team surrounded her with this fierce protective energy and treated her like a little sister from the very beginning. Every player was ready to step in for her at a moment’s notice, and it created this incredible found-family feeling throughout the story. The wives and girlfriends welcomed her just as quickly too.
Maddie carries so much on her own shoulders and convinces herself that she has to handle every problem alone. But Dean cannot stand on the sidelines when she is hurting. Even with the team ready to protect her, he needs to be the one to do it. And honestly? That protective streak from him was EVERYTHING.
Watching the forbidden romance between Dean and Maddie slowly escalate was honestly fascinating. Every stolen glance, every moment where Dean’s control started slipping, every time they crossed another emotional line had so much tension behind it because they both knew exactly how risky it was. The push and pull between wanting each other and trying to stay away made every interaction feel intense. I received this as an ARC and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
And for a second - just a second - I let myself imagine what it would look like if I didn't have to stand here pretending I wasn't watching her like this.
What I loved so much was that Maddie never had to stand alone, even when she tried to. The entire team surrounded her with this fierce protective energy and treated her like a little sister from the very beginning. Every player was ready to step in for her at a moment’s notice, and it created this incredible found-family feeling throughout the story. The wives and girlfriends welcomed her just as quickly too.
Maddie carries so much on her own shoulders and convinces herself that she has to handle every problem alone. But Dean cannot stand on the sidelines when she is hurting. Even with the team ready to protect her, he needs to be the one to do it. And honestly? That protective streak from him was EVERYTHING.
Watching the forbidden romance between Dean and Maddie slowly escalate was honestly fascinating. Every stolen glance, every moment where Dean’s control started slipping, every time they crossed another emotional line had so much tension behind it because they both knew exactly how risky it was. The push and pull between wanting each other and trying to stay away made every interaction feel intense. I received this as an ARC and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
And for a second - just a second - I let myself imagine what it would look like if I didn't have to stand here pretending I wasn't watching her like this.
Review of advance copy
Oh wow — I’ve officially fallen for a new book boyfriend. Dean Kincade is the perfect kind of grumpy for me. He doesn’t waste words, he does exactly what he promises, he’s reliable to the core… and secretly head‑over‑heels for Madison Hale.
Madison, on the other hand, is pure sunshine — warm, empathetic, and written in a way that feels painfully real if you’ve ever overthought anything in your life. I loved her immediately.
And honestly? I loved both of them as characters. Their chemistry feels natural and lived‑in, not manufactured. They read each other effortlessly — the tiny shifts in expression, the smallest gestures, the things you only notice when you truly know someone. That’s what made their connection hit so hard.
And their relationship? A forbidden workplace romance between the team’s head coach and the media lead — no cheating, no triangles, just two adults who know exactly why this can’t happen… and fall for each other anyway. The secrecy, the tension, the thrill of every look that lasts a second too long. Every moment behind closed doors. Every risk they take just to be together. It’s addictive.
Dean is the ultimate safe place for Madison, and Madison grounds Dean in a way no one else ever has. They balance each other perfectly — chaos and control, sunshine and storm.
I won’t spoil anything, but the story pulls you in completely. And the team? Their banter, their pranks, their brotherhood — I laughed out loud more than once. They bring so much warmth and personality to the book.
A story about insecurity, courage, and choosing the kind of love that makes you feel safe, seen, and wanted. Add a hockey team into the mix, and it becomes the kind of romance that stays with you long after you’ve finished.
Madison, on the other hand, is pure sunshine — warm, empathetic, and written in a way that feels painfully real if you’ve ever overthought anything in your life. I loved her immediately.
And honestly? I loved both of them as characters. Their chemistry feels natural and lived‑in, not manufactured. They read each other effortlessly — the tiny shifts in expression, the smallest gestures, the things you only notice when you truly know someone. That’s what made their connection hit so hard.
And their relationship? A forbidden workplace romance between the team’s head coach and the media lead — no cheating, no triangles, just two adults who know exactly why this can’t happen… and fall for each other anyway. The secrecy, the tension, the thrill of every look that lasts a second too long. Every moment behind closed doors. Every risk they take just to be together. It’s addictive.
Dean is the ultimate safe place for Madison, and Madison grounds Dean in a way no one else ever has. They balance each other perfectly — chaos and control, sunshine and storm.
I won’t spoil anything, but the story pulls you in completely. And the team? Their banter, their pranks, their brotherhood — I laughed out loud more than once. They bring so much warmth and personality to the book.
A story about insecurity, courage, and choosing the kind of love that makes you feel safe, seen, and wanted. Add a hockey team into the mix, and it becomes the kind of romance that stays with you long after you’ve finished.
May 26, 2026
Trade It All !! Mustang Series book # 4) what to expect 🏒Hockey Romance/ Grumpy Coach 🔥Secret Relationship 🏒He Falls First and hard 🔥Age Gap / Vegas Wedding 🏒My wife energy/ touch her and die vibes
Well Jennifer has officially wrecked me , just wrecked me in all the best ways and by the end all those shattered pieces of my heart were somehow put right back together again . I only have one question, how do you not fall in love with this absolutely amazing , Steamy and addictive series/ world that Jennifer has so brilliantly created? He we are on book 4 to what has become one of my absolute favorite series !! I’m just utterly obsessed and equally in love with each couple and their journey !! . That being said, something about Dean and Maddie really had my heart , I just felt such a connection to both . I loved the chemistry between them but it was so much more than that . The things they went through both together and separately, just resonated with me in the most unexpected of ways. I loved how different they were yet how perfectly they complemented each other .The whole Forbidden aspect , the progression of their relationship and all the different layers and complexities to their characters just kept me on the edge of my seat and had me devouring every single word till you can bet I did not get any sleep at all . I smiled, I laughed, I cried like a baby and yes I even found myself yelling outta pure frustration at times . What never wavered though was how utterly invested I found myself and how hard I was rooting for these two to get the happy ending they so clearly deserved. This book - this entire series truly is a must read for absolutely everyone and anyone who loves age gap , forbidden and hockey romances with all the feels .
Well Jennifer has officially wrecked me , just wrecked me in all the best ways and by the end all those shattered pieces of my heart were somehow put right back together again . I only have one question, how do you not fall in love with this absolutely amazing , Steamy and addictive series/ world that Jennifer has so brilliantly created? He we are on book 4 to what has become one of my absolute favorite series !! I’m just utterly obsessed and equally in love with each couple and their journey !! . That being said, something about Dean and Maddie really had my heart , I just felt such a connection to both . I loved the chemistry between them but it was so much more than that . The things they went through both together and separately, just resonated with me in the most unexpected of ways. I loved how different they were yet how perfectly they complemented each other .The whole Forbidden aspect , the progression of their relationship and all the different layers and complexities to their characters just kept me on the edge of my seat and had me devouring every single word till you can bet I did not get any sleep at all . I smiled, I laughed, I cried like a baby and yes I even found myself yelling outta pure frustration at times . What never wavered though was how utterly invested I found myself and how hard I was rooting for these two to get the happy ending they so clearly deserved. This book - this entire series truly is a must read for absolutely everyone and anyone who loves age gap , forbidden and hockey romances with all the feels .
June 28, 2026
This was one of those books that accidentally got buried in my review pile, not because I didn't enjoy it, but because I genuinely thought I'd already reviewed it.
I also didn't realize Trade It All was part of a series until I finished, which honestly speaks to how well Jennifer Smith balances a standalone romance with an interconnected world. I was immediately drawn in by the workplace dynamic between Dean, the head coach, and Maddie, the team's social media manager. It created just the right amount of tension and made me curious to see how their relationship would unfold.
What really stood out to me was the chemistry between Dean and Maddie. Their relationship develops naturally, and I appreciated that the romance was given time to breathe instead of feeling rushed. Dean's character growth was another highlight. Watching someone so controlled slowly learn to open himself up emotionally made the romance even more satisfying.
I also loved the strong found family element. The camaraderie within the team added so much warmth to the story and made the world feel authentic without taking the spotlight away from the romance. The hockey setting complemented the story well, adding just enough pressure and atmosphere to raise the emotional stakes.
Overall, This book delivers exactly what I look for in a hockey romance: great chemistry, a protective hero, heartfelt character growth, and a lovable supporting cast. It made me interested in checking out the rest of the Mustangs series.
Full Review : pagesofyue.com
Many thanks to Jennifer Smith for providing me with an ARC copy of this book.
I am leaving this review voluntarily, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my honest reaction to the story.
I also didn't realize Trade It All was part of a series until I finished, which honestly speaks to how well Jennifer Smith balances a standalone romance with an interconnected world. I was immediately drawn in by the workplace dynamic between Dean, the head coach, and Maddie, the team's social media manager. It created just the right amount of tension and made me curious to see how their relationship would unfold.
What really stood out to me was the chemistry between Dean and Maddie. Their relationship develops naturally, and I appreciated that the romance was given time to breathe instead of feeling rushed. Dean's character growth was another highlight. Watching someone so controlled slowly learn to open himself up emotionally made the romance even more satisfying.
I also loved the strong found family element. The camaraderie within the team added so much warmth to the story and made the world feel authentic without taking the spotlight away from the romance. The hockey setting complemented the story well, adding just enough pressure and atmosphere to raise the emotional stakes.
Overall, This book delivers exactly what I look for in a hockey romance: great chemistry, a protective hero, heartfelt character growth, and a lovable supporting cast. It made me interested in checking out the rest of the Mustangs series.
Full Review : pagesofyue.com
Many thanks to Jennifer Smith for providing me with an ARC copy of this book.
I am leaving this review voluntarily, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my honest reaction to the story.
Review of advance copy
Willing to Trade It All for her
This 4th book in Jennifer Smith's Mustangs hockey series is even better than the last. Not gonna lie, I picked this up and couldn't put it down until I was finished. All the emotions were felt - joy, anticipation, laughter, anger, heart palpitations, swooning... You might even need some tissues to get through one of the best declarations of love in a romance novel written towards the end.
Maddie is the Mustang's sweet-as-pie photographer and social media manager, Dean's the head coach who's always in control. The minute they meet, they are drawn to each other - but Dean won't let them give in to their feelings out of some misplaced sense of propriety. Three years of pining. Three years of working together, dancing through each other's orbits. Three years of never giving in - until the night Dean steps in to rescue Maddie from her boyfriend's cruel abuse. From that point on it is game over; she's his and he's done pretending otherwise. However, all the things that kept them apart haven't magically disappeared. Their love unfolds while managing her PTSD, his need to keep her safe from her ex, and their desire to build a relationship in private; outside of the public eye.
One of my favorite things about Jennifer Smith's writing - besides being a fabulous storyteller - is her ability to capture the atmosphere of the scene through words. She is the queen of expressive inner monologue, immersing you in both the character's thoughts and sensory experience. I fell in love with Dean and Maddie's story which will be available this Saturday, May 23rd.
Tropes
Coach x Team Photographer
Workplace
Soft Dom
Calls her Baby
What happens in Vegas
Hurt/comfort
Secret relationship
This 4th book in Jennifer Smith's Mustangs hockey series is even better than the last. Not gonna lie, I picked this up and couldn't put it down until I was finished. All the emotions were felt - joy, anticipation, laughter, anger, heart palpitations, swooning... You might even need some tissues to get through one of the best declarations of love in a romance novel written towards the end.
Maddie is the Mustang's sweet-as-pie photographer and social media manager, Dean's the head coach who's always in control. The minute they meet, they are drawn to each other - but Dean won't let them give in to their feelings out of some misplaced sense of propriety. Three years of pining. Three years of working together, dancing through each other's orbits. Three years of never giving in - until the night Dean steps in to rescue Maddie from her boyfriend's cruel abuse. From that point on it is game over; she's his and he's done pretending otherwise. However, all the things that kept them apart haven't magically disappeared. Their love unfolds while managing her PTSD, his need to keep her safe from her ex, and their desire to build a relationship in private; outside of the public eye.
One of my favorite things about Jennifer Smith's writing - besides being a fabulous storyteller - is her ability to capture the atmosphere of the scene through words. She is the queen of expressive inner monologue, immersing you in both the character's thoughts and sensory experience. I fell in love with Dean and Maddie's story which will be available this Saturday, May 23rd.
Tropes
Coach x Team Photographer
Workplace
Soft Dom
Calls her Baby
What happens in Vegas
Hurt/comfort
Secret relationship
Review of advance copy received from Author
Trade It All is the 4th book in Jennifer Smiths Mustangs Hockey series and is by far my favourite of the four! It's one of those reads that is literally impossible to put down until you finish it. A roller coaster of emotions was had and I definitely shed a few tears...
Maddie is the loveable team photographer and social media manager, the little sisters to most of the team. Silently suffering after a traumatic experience, she holds herself together with sheer willpower and doesnt ask for help. Until one night her awful boyfriend takes it too far.
Dean is the practical, no nonsense Head Coach to the Mustangs and has made a point to bury his feelings for Maddie since the moment they met. He's basically her boss and older than her. His heart is in the right place but they both YEARNED for years! After helping rescue Maddie from her boyfriend, Dean has her stay with him and he's finally ready to throw caution to the wind. She's his and he's finally going to prove it.
Jennifer Smith has always had a way with being able to capture the ambience of a scene through her words and she certainly got it right with this book, each and every vital point of the story had me gripped in the emotions the characters were feeling.
I can't wait to see if we get more books! I'm not ready to be done with the Mustangs yet
Maddie is the loveable team photographer and social media manager, the little sisters to most of the team. Silently suffering after a traumatic experience, she holds herself together with sheer willpower and doesnt ask for help. Until one night her awful boyfriend takes it too far.
Dean is the practical, no nonsense Head Coach to the Mustangs and has made a point to bury his feelings for Maddie since the moment they met. He's basically her boss and older than her. His heart is in the right place but they both YEARNED for years! After helping rescue Maddie from her boyfriend, Dean has her stay with him and he's finally ready to throw caution to the wind. She's his and he's finally going to prove it.
Jennifer Smith has always had a way with being able to capture the ambience of a scene through her words and she certainly got it right with this book, each and every vital point of the story had me gripped in the emotions the characters were feeling.
I can't wait to see if we get more books! I'm not ready to be done with the Mustangs yet
May 23, 2026
Dean Kincade is the perfect book boyfriend, and I'd be the first in line if they were handing them out! Dean is controlled, focused and goal oriented with hockey being the most important thing to him until Maddie. Maddie is younger and catches him off guard in the best way. I've only read one other book in this series so there are some things that happened before that shape their relationship that I didn't know all the details of, but I got the enough to follow but me being me I want more so will go back to catch up. If you have triggers check them. Maddie was in a relationship not with Dean that addresses DV. I truly think that Maddie is like so many other women who don't realize they're changing because it's subtle not all at once. Maddie knew something was off, but she didn't know exactly what it was or what do with it, so she tried to manage by altering her actions/expectations. Dean was so aware of Maddie even before they got together that he noticed the hesitations and the differences in her real emotional responses and those that she thought were expected. Dean and Maddie have to work to get their HEA but their journey is so worth it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Mustangs: Dean and Maddie
I received an advance copy of this story, and I’m quite glad I signed up and gave it a shot.
I really liked this.
“Dean did it the way Dean does everything. Big. Unapologetic. A little feral.”
Dean did occasionally piss me off with his wishy-washy dog-in-a-manger attitude, but when he finally pulled his head in, he was such a good character.
“Wife. Mine. Home.”
Maddie… I don’t even know where to start. She was a well-liked character, vulnerable, very traumatised, and an absolute sweetheart. You can’t help but root for her to get her happiness!
The overall story was a bit emotional, and at times, confronting. There are some fairly heavy triggers in this, so make sure you check carefully before reading…
I’ve got to admit, the family aspect of this is awesome. The dynamic between the players and her is like that of siblings, and the way they band to protect her had me in stitches… I would have paid good money to see that in real life.
I received an advance copy of this story, and I’m quite glad I signed up and gave it a shot.
I really liked this.
“Dean did it the way Dean does everything. Big. Unapologetic. A little feral.”
Dean did occasionally piss me off with his wishy-washy dog-in-a-manger attitude, but when he finally pulled his head in, he was such a good character.
“Wife. Mine. Home.”
Maddie… I don’t even know where to start. She was a well-liked character, vulnerable, very traumatised, and an absolute sweetheart. You can’t help but root for her to get her happiness!
The overall story was a bit emotional, and at times, confronting. There are some fairly heavy triggers in this, so make sure you check carefully before reading…
I’ve got to admit, the family aspect of this is awesome. The dynamic between the players and her is like that of siblings, and the way they band to protect her had me in stitches… I would have paid good money to see that in real life.
May 26, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really enjoyed Trading It All by Jennifer Smith. The writing style flowed so easily and smoothly, and it kept me engaged throughout the whole book.
I loved the MCs, Maddie and Dean — they were so sweet and cute together, and I really enjoyed watching their relationship grow from strength to strength. They’ve basically been circling around each other for the best part of three years, and you could really feel how well they read each other.
Maddie had such a quiet vulnerability about her. She seemed so sad at times, and honestly, her boyfriend Tyler was an absolute pig. I loved how protective Dean was of Maddie and just how hard he fell for her.
The supporting cast was great too, and I loved seeing how much love and support Maddie had around her.
This was a very easy read with lots of emotion, a little angst, a little cheese, but most of all it had such a lovely feel-good vibe.
I definitely need to read the Rizzoli Series by Jennifer next!
Thank you for the ARC — this is my honest review
I really enjoyed Trading It All by Jennifer Smith. The writing style flowed so easily and smoothly, and it kept me engaged throughout the whole book.
I loved the MCs, Maddie and Dean — they were so sweet and cute together, and I really enjoyed watching their relationship grow from strength to strength. They’ve basically been circling around each other for the best part of three years, and you could really feel how well they read each other.
Maddie had such a quiet vulnerability about her. She seemed so sad at times, and honestly, her boyfriend Tyler was an absolute pig. I loved how protective Dean was of Maddie and just how hard he fell for her.
The supporting cast was great too, and I loved seeing how much love and support Maddie had around her.
This was a very easy read with lots of emotion, a little angst, a little cheese, but most of all it had such a lovely feel-good vibe.
I definitely need to read the Rizzoli Series by Jennifer next!
Thank you for the ARC — this is my honest review
Review of advance copy
Super cute. So this is a age gap, he's possessive, has The vibes of touch and die, and it is the coach and media girl. So in a previous book I would recommend reading them all in the order not required but helps you understand the background of characters a little more, there was an event that it happened that he was kind of there to support her help her out through and she tried and he said no because of her being his employee. She's got a boyfriend honestly a very crappy boyfriend but they both still have a thing for each other. When that boyfriend causes problems and she has to be helped to deal with it he's one of the ones that helps her and that point. They end up getting together at some point although they keep it under wraps for a while just for the sake of her job. To really cute sweet he's very obsessive about her type of romance. If this sounds like something you like I would highly recommend all of Jennifer Smith's books
May 13, 2026
“Because every good thing that has ever happened to me started with her.”
Dean and Maddie 🥰 We’ve seen the looks, the almost moments, and the connection between these two in all the other books. When they finally give in, it’s magic.
✨Age gap
✨Workplace (coach x media girl)
✨Hockey
✨He falls first
✨Protective MMC / he’s only soft for her
✨Secret relationship…. And a Vegas wedding
✨Found Family
✨He’s pierced 🤭
I devoured this book. There were some tense moments (check the TWs - chapter 9 is a doozy), a scene that required Google, and some parts that made me laugh out loud. Jennifer writes in a way that makes you feel like you’re right there with the characters, part of the story.
I had a wait a minute moment when Dean mentions being a King of Lakeshore… and then everything clicked and now all the crossovers make sense lol I adore the world that Jennifer has built with the Rizzolis, Mustangs, and the Kings of Lakeshore.
I cannot wait to see what’s next!!
Dean and Maddie 🥰 We’ve seen the looks, the almost moments, and the connection between these two in all the other books. When they finally give in, it’s magic.
✨Age gap
✨Workplace (coach x media girl)
✨Hockey
✨He falls first
✨Protective MMC / he’s only soft for her
✨Secret relationship…. And a Vegas wedding
✨Found Family
✨He’s pierced 🤭
I devoured this book. There were some tense moments (check the TWs - chapter 9 is a doozy), a scene that required Google, and some parts that made me laugh out loud. Jennifer writes in a way that makes you feel like you’re right there with the characters, part of the story.
I had a wait a minute moment when Dean mentions being a King of Lakeshore… and then everything clicked and now all the crossovers make sense lol I adore the world that Jennifer has built with the Rizzolis, Mustangs, and the Kings of Lakeshore.
I cannot wait to see what’s next!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow where do I begin, I absolutely loved this book and devoured it within a day. Trade It All is book 4 in the Mustangs series). This book follows Maddie our FMC who is the social media manager and Dean who is the Coach for the Chicago Mustangs. Dean has wanted Maddie since she started working their 3 years prior but he had put his wants in a box as he thought she was off limits was she works with him.
Fast forward to present day and things go down with Maddies current boyfriend and Dean shows up and looks after and protects her…finally his restraint snaps (we all love a f**k it moment 🥰) and now she is all his.
The story and the plot with the mystery of what would happen when she sees her ex again chefs kiss!
Also what happens in vegas….love and also so many happy tears!
I need to go and reread this series all over again soon
Thank you Jennifer Smith for the ARC
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow where do I begin, I absolutely loved this book and devoured it within a day. Trade It All is book 4 in the Mustangs series). This book follows Maddie our FMC who is the social media manager and Dean who is the Coach for the Chicago Mustangs. Dean has wanted Maddie since she started working their 3 years prior but he had put his wants in a box as he thought she was off limits was she works with him.
Fast forward to present day and things go down with Maddies current boyfriend and Dean shows up and looks after and protects her…finally his restraint snaps (we all love a f**k it moment 🥰) and now she is all his.
The story and the plot with the mystery of what would happen when she sees her ex again chefs kiss!
Also what happens in vegas….love and also so many happy tears!
I need to go and reread this series all over again soon
Thank you Jennifer Smith for the ARC
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2026
- Forbidden Romance
- Age-Gap
- Protective husband energy
- Head Coach/Social Media Manager
Trade It All by Jennifer Smith delivered an emotional hockey romance that perfectly blended passion into a forbidden love into a found family dynamic that created a heartfelt story. In this novel, we get to meet our bubbly and sweet FMC Maddie, the social media manager for a hockey team called the Chicago Mustangs alongside the head coach, our MMC Dean. From start to finish, the romance in this novel unfolded into a satisfying slow-burn filled with tension and sizzling chemistry between our two main characters. I absolutely fell in love with Dean and how protective he was of Maddie during certain scenes in the book. Overall, Trade It All was an emotionally driven hockey romance that delivered a high-stakes romance that was very appealing to me!
I received an ARC copy from the author herself. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to read and voluntarily review this novel!
- Age-Gap
- Protective husband energy
- Head Coach/Social Media Manager
Trade It All by Jennifer Smith delivered an emotional hockey romance that perfectly blended passion into a forbidden love into a found family dynamic that created a heartfelt story. In this novel, we get to meet our bubbly and sweet FMC Maddie, the social media manager for a hockey team called the Chicago Mustangs alongside the head coach, our MMC Dean. From start to finish, the romance in this novel unfolded into a satisfying slow-burn filled with tension and sizzling chemistry between our two main characters. I absolutely fell in love with Dean and how protective he was of Maddie during certain scenes in the book. Overall, Trade It All was an emotionally driven hockey romance that delivered a high-stakes romance that was very appealing to me!
I received an ARC copy from the author herself. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to read and voluntarily review this novel!
July 15, 2026
I really liked this book! It was my first book by Jennifer Smith, but I did not need to read the books before it to understand the premise. Maddie works in social media for the Mustangs hockey team, and Dean is the head coach. Maddie was such a sweet, if slightly insecure girl who is getting out of a terrible relationship. The exboyfriend is just horrible, and I enjoyed the scene where Dean goes to rescue her. I love how Dean is so protective of her after everything she went through.
I liked how the author navigated Maddie’s traumas in a realistic way. After seeing her friend on the ground bleeding, she had terrible nightmares and terrors. I loved how Dean was able to be that rock for her as she learned how to cope with them. I also liked that Maddie’s friends were so protective of her, and gave her all the comfort she needed. This was a sweet age gap story and I definitely would read more from this author.
I liked how the author navigated Maddie’s traumas in a realistic way. After seeing her friend on the ground bleeding, she had terrible nightmares and terrors. I loved how Dean was able to be that rock for her as she learned how to cope with them. I also liked that Maddie’s friends were so protective of her, and gave her all the comfort she needed. This was a sweet age gap story and I definitely would read more from this author.
Review of advance copy
I adored Dean and Maddie’s relationship! 😍
This story involves a grumpy, yet grounded hockey coach (who is pierced 😏🫣) and the team’s media girl. Their connection is undeniable but is both tender and complicated, especially with the forbidden age gap dynamic alongside the professional boundaries.
The FMC’s journey is handled so delicately. The MMC supports her without overshadowing her and that dynamic gives the romance some emotional weight. The tension of “we shouldn’t do this” adds a fun spark without ever feeling over the top.
I love the hockey setting and the behind the scenes media angle. This sets up for their worlds to collide in a more natural and believable way.
If you enjoy age gap romance, sports/workplace romance, or healing‑arc heroines, this one is definitely worth picking up!!
This story involves a grumpy, yet grounded hockey coach (who is pierced 😏🫣) and the team’s media girl. Their connection is undeniable but is both tender and complicated, especially with the forbidden age gap dynamic alongside the professional boundaries.
The FMC’s journey is handled so delicately. The MMC supports her without overshadowing her and that dynamic gives the romance some emotional weight. The tension of “we shouldn’t do this” adds a fun spark without ever feeling over the top.
I love the hockey setting and the behind the scenes media angle. This sets up for their worlds to collide in a more natural and believable way.
If you enjoy age gap romance, sports/workplace romance, or healing‑arc heroines, this one is definitely worth picking up!!
May 11, 2026
I want to start out by saying thank you to Jennifer Smith for having me on her ARC team. Trade It All is a hockey age-gap romance, and I absolutely ate it up.
Maddie is the Mustang’s social media girl. She loves the team like family and will stop at nothing to protect them. Dean is the team’s coach and can’t seem to keep his eye off her. What starts out as a traumatic situation brings them together in a beautiful way. Their chemistry is undeniable, and no matter what, they can’t stop the magnetic pull they have towards each other.
This book took me on a journey and had me feeling all the feels. There’s trauma and healing and the perfect amount of spice. I would absolutely recommend any book from Jennifer Smith and can’t wait to see what she writes next.
Maddie is the Mustang’s social media girl. She loves the team like family and will stop at nothing to protect them. Dean is the team’s coach and can’t seem to keep his eye off her. What starts out as a traumatic situation brings them together in a beautiful way. Their chemistry is undeniable, and no matter what, they can’t stop the magnetic pull they have towards each other.
This book took me on a journey and had me feeling all the feels. There’s trauma and healing and the perfect amount of spice. I would absolutely recommend any book from Jennifer Smith and can’t wait to see what she writes next.
May 14, 2026
Dean Kincade is the Coach the man that protects is players, his family for the Mustang hockey team. He has a huge crush on Maddie and had her stay the night at his place after what happened to Luka she saved him and made sure he lived! She left a hair tie and now it’s his forever!
Maddie Hale Mustangs’ social media manager and assistant to Coach and little sister to the Mustang Hockey team! Maddie been dealing with a lot and Luka is at the top of that even though a year later and he is ok she still sees him hurt and not ok! And Coach Kincade is someone she wants because he wants her! Even though she is his employee! Luka’s sisters and family pull Maddie into there family and make her feel like one of them I love the Rizzoli’s!
Maddie Hale Mustangs’ social media manager and assistant to Coach and little sister to the Mustang Hockey team! Maddie been dealing with a lot and Luka is at the top of that even though a year later and he is ok she still sees him hurt and not ok! And Coach Kincade is someone she wants because he wants her! Even though she is his employee! Luka’s sisters and family pull Maddie into there family and make her feel like one of them I love the Rizzoli’s!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Dean and Maddie’s story is the mix between forbidden, high tension/desire, and behind closed doors! Dean fights as hard as he can to avoid the continued rising tension between him and his social media director; until suddenly it’s impossible to avoid anymore. Dean falls hard and fast, giving possessive vibes every step of the way. The age gap between the two only adds fuel to the fire while also working together. Dean and Maddie fight against odds to make their secret relationship work, until one thing turns into another and they end up in Vegas! Love love love this book!! Can’t wait for the next in the series!
May 29, 2026
Trade It All (Mustang #4)
this book had these knowing characters. Both MCs were calm and had this work-first, emotions-later kind of rule in their lives; they used it to keep going in life.
Jennifer builds the tension from start of the book—nothing messy everything natural but electric—and when the MCs meet, you just know all that buildup is going to pay off.
the emotions this novel took me through were quiet understanding, calm fierceness
Dean was this grounding character our MMC who refused to let Maddie, our calm, quiet, and easy-to-love FMC, suffer.
i loved how he was unapologetic of his fierceness.
and trust me when i say it just fueled this cold fury inside me at a very specific scene and it was kind of fulfilling for me and is stuck with me.
i kind of liked it; what can I say?
Moreover, I really loved it and you all should definitely a give chance to this book and you won't regret it.
i don't think Jennifer would have ended this series any better.
I loved it!
this book had these knowing characters. Both MCs were calm and had this work-first, emotions-later kind of rule in their lives; they used it to keep going in life.
Jennifer builds the tension from start of the book—nothing messy everything natural but electric—and when the MCs meet, you just know all that buildup is going to pay off.
the emotions this novel took me through were quiet understanding, calm fierceness
Dean was this grounding character our MMC who refused to let Maddie, our calm, quiet, and easy-to-love FMC, suffer.
i loved how he was unapologetic of his fierceness.
and trust me when i say it just fueled this cold fury inside me at a very specific scene and it was kind of fulfilling for me and is stuck with me.
i kind of liked it; what can I say?
Moreover, I really loved it and you all should definitely a give chance to this book and you won't regret it.
i don't think Jennifer would have ended this series any better.
I loved it!
May 20, 2026
Let me preface this by saying that I am a HUGE hockey fan and I was very excited to read a hockey romance. I loved the banter between Maddie and all the players, I loved that she held her own. I was a big fan of how much of a family they created and a support system there was for her and the protective big brothers she needed.
Now…. Dean…. Where do I find me a man like Dean? He was exactly what I need in my life. Romantic, protective, I-will-burn-down-the-world-to-keep-you-safe kind of man. He brought tears to my eyes with his words.
I really enjoyed this book.
Now…. Dean…. Where do I find me a man like Dean? He was exactly what I need in my life. Romantic, protective, I-will-burn-down-the-world-to-keep-you-safe kind of man. He brought tears to my eyes with his words.
I really enjoyed this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️Arc⭐️
Dean was EVERYTHING. Grumpy, protective, pierced, and completely down bad for Maddie — the man was giving full “look at her wrong and suffer the consequences” energy the entire book. The chemistry between them was so addictive, and the forbidden romance aspect made it even better. I also loved the hockey setting because it added the perfect amount of tension and fun. Maddie was such an easy character to root for, and together they had me fully invested from start to finish. I flew through this book and already need more.
Dean was EVERYTHING. Grumpy, protective, pierced, and completely down bad for Maddie — the man was giving full “look at her wrong and suffer the consequences” energy the entire book. The chemistry between them was so addictive, and the forbidden romance aspect made it even better. I also loved the hockey setting because it added the perfect amount of tension and fun. Maddie was such an easy character to root for, and together they had me fully invested from start to finish. I flew through this book and already need more.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶
HEA✅️
Out off all these amazing hockey men of the Mustang's team, their coach is my absolute favorite! All of them love fiercely but Dean Kincade is on a whole new level with how much he cares about Maddie. He is the most confident and unapologetic MMC I've read in a long time and EXACTLY what she needs. Dean meets her at every anxious hesitation and he makes me squeal with delight when he just handles it.
This ARC was good for my heart. I wish I could go back and read it for the first time again. Everyone needs a Coach Dean in their life.
🌶🌶🌶🌶
HEA✅️
Out off all these amazing hockey men of the Mustang's team, their coach is my absolute favorite! All of them love fiercely but Dean Kincade is on a whole new level with how much he cares about Maddie. He is the most confident and unapologetic MMC I've read in a long time and EXACTLY what she needs. Dean meets her at every anxious hesitation and he makes me squeal with delight when he just handles it.
This ARC was good for my heart. I wish I could go back and read it for the first time again. Everyone needs a Coach Dean in their life.
July 14, 2026
I both enjoyed and didn’t enjoy this book. I enjoyed that the book was written from both points of view, I love Dean’s overprotective instincts, Maddie and Dean make quite the cute couple and the last couple chapters were so good even though they moved fast. I did not enjoy the pinning, mostly because they were too much with the I always loved the other and over descriptions truly this book could have been 100 pages shorter without all the repetitive sentences and thoughts. Since I’m not entirely sure how to feel on this book I rated it right in the middle for stars.
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