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Unexpected Goal
One Night. One Mistake. One Baby on His Doorstep.
Tyler West
He screwed up. One night, one mistake, and now there's a baby on his doorstep. He's eight hours from anyone he trusts, getting torn apart by his new team, and has no idea how to keep a kid alive.
When he calls someone from his past in a panic, she brings reinforcements. Including a nanny who's way too pretty for his peace of mind.
Nora Collins
She needed this job. Badly. Moving to Ridgeport for a fresh start seemed like the right call, until she showed up for an interview and found a professional hockey player who looked two seconds from a breakdown, holding a screaming baby like it might explode.
But the pay is good, the baby is sweet, and Tyler West, despite being a mess, might be the best thing that's happened to her in a long time.
Their boundaries were crystal clear: professional only, no feelings, no complications.
Except late-night feedings don't feel professional, stolen glances aren't just friendly, and when Tyler falls first, keeping their distance becomes impossible.
But falling for each other is the easy part.
Staying together when the world tries to tear them apart? That's where the real fight begins. Because family isn't always blood. Sometimes it's who shows up at 3 a.m. Who stays when things get hard.
Sometimes the best goals are the most unexpected.
Tyler West
He screwed up. One night, one mistake, and now there's a baby on his doorstep. He's eight hours from anyone he trusts, getting torn apart by his new team, and has no idea how to keep a kid alive.
When he calls someone from his past in a panic, she brings reinforcements. Including a nanny who's way too pretty for his peace of mind.
Nora Collins
She needed this job. Badly. Moving to Ridgeport for a fresh start seemed like the right call, until she showed up for an interview and found a professional hockey player who looked two seconds from a breakdown, holding a screaming baby like it might explode.
But the pay is good, the baby is sweet, and Tyler West, despite being a mess, might be the best thing that's happened to her in a long time.
Their boundaries were crystal clear: professional only, no feelings, no complications.
Except late-night feedings don't feel professional, stolen glances aren't just friendly, and when Tyler falls first, keeping their distance becomes impossible.
But falling for each other is the easy part.
Staying together when the world tries to tear them apart? That's where the real fight begins. Because family isn't always blood. Sometimes it's who shows up at 3 a.m. Who stays when things get hard.
Sometimes the best goals are the most unexpected.
- GenresSports Romance
356 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 2, 2026
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July 5, 2026
Thank you for the earc🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼
3,75⭐️
Let me just say that overall I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this book, just because I didn’t think I would like Tyler…
But Unexpected Goal was a beautiful, emotional hockey romance filled with found family, healing, adorable parenting moments and a romance that had me smiling a bunch. I can't wait to read the next book!
Tyler's life is turned upside down when a baby is left on his doorstep, and watching him grow from a completely overwhelmed hockey player into an amazing dad was one of my favourite parts. Nora was exactly what he and Harper needed and I loved seeing their relationship slowly develop into something built on trust, healing and love.
One of the highlights of this book was seeing Tylers character growth from the first book to now has been amazing. He's come so far, and I loved seeing the man he's become. It made me even more excited to finally finish the book. Because I hated Tyler in the first book (where Tyler was the a**hole ex of the fmc for that book)
There was just the right amount of drama, and Nora quickly became one of my favourite fmcs. She's strong, compassionate, and doesn't let anyone walk over her, especially when it comes to protecting the people she loves.
3,75⭐️
Let me just say that overall I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this book, just because I didn’t think I would like Tyler…
But Unexpected Goal was a beautiful, emotional hockey romance filled with found family, healing, adorable parenting moments and a romance that had me smiling a bunch. I can't wait to read the next book!
Tyler's life is turned upside down when a baby is left on his doorstep, and watching him grow from a completely overwhelmed hockey player into an amazing dad was one of my favourite parts. Nora was exactly what he and Harper needed and I loved seeing their relationship slowly develop into something built on trust, healing and love.
One of the highlights of this book was seeing Tylers character growth from the first book to now has been amazing. He's come so far, and I loved seeing the man he's become. It made me even more excited to finally finish the book. Because I hated Tyler in the first book (where Tyler was the a**hole ex of the fmc for that book)
There was just the right amount of drama, and Nora quickly became one of my favourite fmcs. She's strong, compassionate, and doesn't let anyone walk over her, especially when it comes to protecting the people she loves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rcvd an ARC from the author.
We meet hockey player Tyler who is down on his luck. His new team treats him like a piraha and it's really lonely. One night with a woman het met in a bar leads to a 2 month old newborn girl named Harper being left on his doorstep. What does a guy do? Call his friends who live hours away. We meet nanny Nora who was just tasked with an urgent request for a live-in nanny for a sports player. When Nora arrives she sees a man who doesn't know what he's doing and desperately needs help. Nora and Tyler work in unison to give Harper a stable and happy life. Tyler is being abused by his captain with marks visible while the coach does nothing. Both have started to develop feelings for one another but it cant go anywhere. Nora thinks everyone she loves leaves her just like when her parents died and Tyler thinks he doesn't deserve happiness. But when Harper's mother demands her baby back, thats when the fighting gloves come out. Drama, past trauma, love in unexpected places and happiness at ones fingertips make this a good read.
We meet hockey player Tyler who is down on his luck. His new team treats him like a piraha and it's really lonely. One night with a woman het met in a bar leads to a 2 month old newborn girl named Harper being left on his doorstep. What does a guy do? Call his friends who live hours away. We meet nanny Nora who was just tasked with an urgent request for a live-in nanny for a sports player. When Nora arrives she sees a man who doesn't know what he's doing and desperately needs help. Nora and Tyler work in unison to give Harper a stable and happy life. Tyler is being abused by his captain with marks visible while the coach does nothing. Both have started to develop feelings for one another but it cant go anywhere. Nora thinks everyone she loves leaves her just like when her parents died and Tyler thinks he doesn't deserve happiness. But when Harper's mother demands her baby back, thats when the fighting gloves come out. Drama, past trauma, love in unexpected places and happiness at ones fingertips make this a good read.
July 11, 2026
3.75⭐️ 1-1.5🌶️ ARC REVIEW: 📖 UNEXPECTED GOAL 📖 by Clara St. James ✨ This is book 3 in the Breakaway series. What a sweet book about love in unexpected places. Between a trade to a hockey team that ignores him and finding out he’s a new dad after a ONS, Tyler needs help, so he hires Nora to be a nanny to his newborn daughter, Harper. At first Nora maintains a professional boundary but after months of building tension and a solid friendship, they no longer can deny their attraction. Tyler is a yearner - he constantly needed to be around Nora. 🥹 Her presence grounded him; she makes everything make sense. Tyler has been holding onto guilt from a mistake he made 2 years ago. Nora shows him that he is a good man and he deserves good things. He finally realizes that he is more than his past, that he can forgive himself and be the best man and father he wants to be.
I loved how Tyler kept showing up as a father; he didn’t know how to hold a baby or change a diaper but Nora helped him learn everything without judgment. There is such a heartwarming family dynamic between them - they form a family unit and it’s beautiful. Tyler is a great communicator, he expresses his love openly and honestly. When he calls them ‘my girls’? Gah. 🥰 He wants them to be a real family. He wants to love her out loud but knows Nora needs time/isn’t ready. Due to a tragic loss, she’s scared to claim something that may disappear. She doesn’t want to get attached because she loses people. Tyler’s friends and, eventually, teammates are there to support him, and it makes for some beautiful found family moments. A good reminder that family is who shows up, who stays. Don’t skip the Epilogue - it was so cute!
Overall I enjoyed this book. The pacing was great in the first half but slowed in the 2nd half. The last 30% dragged on, and it seemed a bit repetitive. I still recommend, though, because the family these characters created was touching.
❤️ Sweatpants
❤️ She loves to organize things
❤️ He calls her Red
❤️ ‘My girls’ 🫠
❤️ Dirty mouth/he talks her through it 😮💨
❤️ F-it moment
❤️ Forehead kisses
❤️ She wears his hoodies and jersey
Favorite quotes:
This is just another job. A few months, maybe a year. I'll teach Tyler what he needs to know and move on to the next family, the way I always do. I will not let myself get comfortable. I will not let these people become anything more than clients.
“I can't care about someone and lose them.
I can't let myself believe in something good when everything good eventually leaves."
"I'm not leaving. Neither is Harper. We're not going anywhere, Nora."
"Ty. What do you need?"
(You. I need you. I've needed you for months,
and I'm tired of pretending I don't.)
"Holy shit.”
"Yeah."
"That was-"
"Perfect."
"I was going to say life-changing, but perfect works too."
She laughs, the sound bright and free, and I kiss her again because I can. Because she's mine and I'm hers, and we just crossed every line we've been dancing around for months.
"You're serious."
"Dead serious. I'm in love with you, Red. I'm thinking long-term here. I'm not saying we get married tomorrow or have a baby next year.
I'm just saying that when I think about my future, you're in it. You, Harper, and maybe a couple more little ones down the line. That's what I see."
"Shh. Let me worship you, Red."
Read this if you like:
*Hockey romance
*Single dad x nanny
*Forbidden/workplace romance
*Forced proximity
*He falls first
*Slow burn
*Found family
*Past trauma/healing
Content warning: accident, death of parents, grief
Thank you to Clara for letting me read/review. All opinions are my own.
I loved how Tyler kept showing up as a father; he didn’t know how to hold a baby or change a diaper but Nora helped him learn everything without judgment. There is such a heartwarming family dynamic between them - they form a family unit and it’s beautiful. Tyler is a great communicator, he expresses his love openly and honestly. When he calls them ‘my girls’? Gah. 🥰 He wants them to be a real family. He wants to love her out loud but knows Nora needs time/isn’t ready. Due to a tragic loss, she’s scared to claim something that may disappear. She doesn’t want to get attached because she loses people. Tyler’s friends and, eventually, teammates are there to support him, and it makes for some beautiful found family moments. A good reminder that family is who shows up, who stays. Don’t skip the Epilogue - it was so cute!
Overall I enjoyed this book. The pacing was great in the first half but slowed in the 2nd half. The last 30% dragged on, and it seemed a bit repetitive. I still recommend, though, because the family these characters created was touching.
❤️ Sweatpants
❤️ She loves to organize things
❤️ He calls her Red
❤️ ‘My girls’ 🫠
❤️ Dirty mouth/he talks her through it 😮💨
❤️ F-it moment
❤️ Forehead kisses
❤️ She wears his hoodies and jersey
Favorite quotes:
This is just another job. A few months, maybe a year. I'll teach Tyler what he needs to know and move on to the next family, the way I always do. I will not let myself get comfortable. I will not let these people become anything more than clients.
“I can't care about someone and lose them.
I can't let myself believe in something good when everything good eventually leaves."
"I'm not leaving. Neither is Harper. We're not going anywhere, Nora."
"Ty. What do you need?"
(You. I need you. I've needed you for months,
and I'm tired of pretending I don't.)
"Holy shit.”
"Yeah."
"That was-"
"Perfect."
"I was going to say life-changing, but perfect works too."
She laughs, the sound bright and free, and I kiss her again because I can. Because she's mine and I'm hers, and we just crossed every line we've been dancing around for months.
"You're serious."
"Dead serious. I'm in love with you, Red. I'm thinking long-term here. I'm not saying we get married tomorrow or have a baby next year.
I'm just saying that when I think about my future, you're in it. You, Harper, and maybe a couple more little ones down the line. That's what I see."
"Shh. Let me worship you, Red."
Read this if you like:
*Hockey romance
*Single dad x nanny
*Forbidden/workplace romance
*Forced proximity
*He falls first
*Slow burn
*Found family
*Past trauma/healing
Content warning: accident, death of parents, grief
Thank you to Clara for letting me read/review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 ⭐️
Tyler and Nora stole my heart 🥹 I loved Unexpected Goal! It was such a sweet and emotional story 🥰
Tyler is such a such swoon worthy MMC 😍 He is a professional hockey player dealing with heaviness from his past and not fitting in with his current team, when he got the ultimate surprise... a baby on his doorstep with a note saying she is his after a one night stand 11 months prior 🥹 Poor Tyler is lost, confused and has no clue as to how to take care of a baby!
After friends swoop in during his time of need and a nanny agency is called in we meet Nora, a professional nanny who is grieving the loss of her parents and quite closed off due to fear of loosing those who get close to her. Nora is the missing piece of the puzzle and teaches Tyler everything he needs to know to parent his daughter, Harper, in the most beautiful way! Watching him quickly grow into a wonderful dad for his baby girl was so heartwarming 💕
The bond between Tyler and Nora was beautifully written as they both slowly let their walls down and let each other in, helping to heal the messy parts of one another and creating their own little family unit.
This story definitely had it's fair share of drama including Harper's mother returning to try to get Harper back after abandoning her and Nora slapping Tyler's team captain in front of the entire team after his bullying became extreme 👏👏👏 This was my favourite part of the story! I love a strong and determined FMC and Nora was that and so much more 💗
Although this is a standalone book, I would highly suggest reading the first two books in the series first before reading Unexpected Goal. As someone who hasn't read the first two, I did find it a bit confusing to figure out who some of the characters were in relations to Tyler. This did come to light as the book went along however and now I can't wait to go back to the beginning of the series and read books 1 and 2 🤩
Clara did a fabulous job with this story and this little family will be in my heart and on my mind for the foreseeable future ❤️ So very grateful to have been given an ARC of Unexpected Goal in exchange for my honest review!
Tyler and Nora stole my heart 🥹 I loved Unexpected Goal! It was such a sweet and emotional story 🥰
Tyler is such a such swoon worthy MMC 😍 He is a professional hockey player dealing with heaviness from his past and not fitting in with his current team, when he got the ultimate surprise... a baby on his doorstep with a note saying she is his after a one night stand 11 months prior 🥹 Poor Tyler is lost, confused and has no clue as to how to take care of a baby!
After friends swoop in during his time of need and a nanny agency is called in we meet Nora, a professional nanny who is grieving the loss of her parents and quite closed off due to fear of loosing those who get close to her. Nora is the missing piece of the puzzle and teaches Tyler everything he needs to know to parent his daughter, Harper, in the most beautiful way! Watching him quickly grow into a wonderful dad for his baby girl was so heartwarming 💕
The bond between Tyler and Nora was beautifully written as they both slowly let their walls down and let each other in, helping to heal the messy parts of one another and creating their own little family unit.
This story definitely had it's fair share of drama including Harper's mother returning to try to get Harper back after abandoning her and Nora slapping Tyler's team captain in front of the entire team after his bullying became extreme 👏👏👏 This was my favourite part of the story! I love a strong and determined FMC and Nora was that and so much more 💗
Although this is a standalone book, I would highly suggest reading the first two books in the series first before reading Unexpected Goal. As someone who hasn't read the first two, I did find it a bit confusing to figure out who some of the characters were in relations to Tyler. This did come to light as the book went along however and now I can't wait to go back to the beginning of the series and read books 1 and 2 🤩
Clara did a fabulous job with this story and this little family will be in my heart and on my mind for the foreseeable future ❤️ So very grateful to have been given an ARC of Unexpected Goal in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advanced reader copy sent by the Author.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 stars
What to expect:
Hockey romance • Surprise baby • Yearning • Single Dad x Nanny • Slow burn • Found family • Forced proximity • Protective Hero •
I had the best time with this book. I couldn't put it down.
We follow our MMC Tyler West, a professional hockey player who is having a hard time fitting in with his team.
His doorbell rings and he opens the door to find a baby girl in a carrier, and a note explaining that she is his baby and her name is Harper.
A one-night stand has turned his life upside down, he doesn't know how to care for a baby, so he calls for reinforcements. They organize a live-in nanny to start working for him immediately.
Enter out FMC Nora Collins, she needs this job as the bills are piling up. So, she accepts the position and starts working for Tyler. What starts out as professional relationship quickly turns into more.
I loved these characters, Tyler is a mess and he needed Nora to help him sort out his new normal. This man fell so hard for her, the accidental brushing of arms and stolen glances. The constant need to be around her. Ahh the yearning... 10/10🫠
He was so protective and loving towards Harper and Nora.
And Nora she was strong, patient and caring and she tried really hard to keep things professional.
She honestly came into their lives at the perfect time and brought this family together.
The chemistry between these two was crazy! They had no chance. It was fate that they were brought together.
We get some drama with the return of Harper's mother; it just adds some tension and uncertainty to the story.
The plot of this book was great; the pacing was perfect the entire time. There were high-stakes scenes especially when it involved Jessica. The court room had me stressed!!
The found family element to this book was everything.!
Loved the epilogue. 💕I think this was a perfect ending for this beautiful story.
Thank you to the Author for sending me an arc of your book. 🩷
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 stars
What to expect:
Hockey romance • Surprise baby • Yearning • Single Dad x Nanny • Slow burn • Found family • Forced proximity • Protective Hero •
I had the best time with this book. I couldn't put it down.
We follow our MMC Tyler West, a professional hockey player who is having a hard time fitting in with his team.
His doorbell rings and he opens the door to find a baby girl in a carrier, and a note explaining that she is his baby and her name is Harper.
A one-night stand has turned his life upside down, he doesn't know how to care for a baby, so he calls for reinforcements. They organize a live-in nanny to start working for him immediately.
Enter out FMC Nora Collins, she needs this job as the bills are piling up. So, she accepts the position and starts working for Tyler. What starts out as professional relationship quickly turns into more.
I loved these characters, Tyler is a mess and he needed Nora to help him sort out his new normal. This man fell so hard for her, the accidental brushing of arms and stolen glances. The constant need to be around her. Ahh the yearning... 10/10🫠
He was so protective and loving towards Harper and Nora.
And Nora she was strong, patient and caring and she tried really hard to keep things professional.
She honestly came into their lives at the perfect time and brought this family together.
The chemistry between these two was crazy! They had no chance. It was fate that they were brought together.
We get some drama with the return of Harper's mother; it just adds some tension and uncertainty to the story.
The plot of this book was great; the pacing was perfect the entire time. There were high-stakes scenes especially when it involved Jessica. The court room had me stressed!!
The found family element to this book was everything.!
Loved the epilogue. 💕I think this was a perfect ending for this beautiful story.
Thank you to the Author for sending me an arc of your book. 🩷
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the Author and Agency for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
- Single Dad x Nanny
- Hockey Romance
- surprise baby
- he falls first and harder
- yearnıng
One Night. One Mistake. One Baby on His Doorstep.
Tyler West He screwed up. One night, one mistake, and now there's a baby on his doorstep. He's eight hours from anyone he trusts, getting torn apart by his new team, and has no idea how to keep a kid alive. When he calls someone from his past in a panic, she brings reinforcements. Including a nanny who's way too pretty for his peace of mind.
Nora Collins She needed this job. Badly. Moving to Ridgeport for a fresh start seemed like the right call, until she showed up for an interview and found a professional hockey player who looked two seconds from a breakdown, holding a screaming baby like it might explode. But the pay is good, the baby is sweet, and Tyler West, despite being a mess, might be the best thing that's happened to her in a long time. Their boundaries were crystal clear: professional only, no feelings, no complications.
Except late-night feedings don't feel professional, stolen glances aren't just friendly, and when Tyler falls first, keeping their distance becomes impossible. But falling for each other is the easy part. Staying together when the world tries to tear them apart? That's where the real fight begins. Because family isn't always blood.
Sometimes it's who shows up at 3 a.m. Who stays when things get hard. Sometimes the best goals are the most unexpected.
I liked this but book there was great character development and the plot was excellent. It did feel a little repetitive at times which did make it feel like it was drawn out.
I went into this book not reading the first two in the series and would def recommend reading them first. I was confused in some parts along the way until they were answered later on.
- Single Dad x Nanny
- Hockey Romance
- surprise baby
- he falls first and harder
- yearnıng
One Night. One Mistake. One Baby on His Doorstep.
Tyler West He screwed up. One night, one mistake, and now there's a baby on his doorstep. He's eight hours from anyone he trusts, getting torn apart by his new team, and has no idea how to keep a kid alive. When he calls someone from his past in a panic, she brings reinforcements. Including a nanny who's way too pretty for his peace of mind.
Nora Collins She needed this job. Badly. Moving to Ridgeport for a fresh start seemed like the right call, until she showed up for an interview and found a professional hockey player who looked two seconds from a breakdown, holding a screaming baby like it might explode. But the pay is good, the baby is sweet, and Tyler West, despite being a mess, might be the best thing that's happened to her in a long time. Their boundaries were crystal clear: professional only, no feelings, no complications.
Except late-night feedings don't feel professional, stolen glances aren't just friendly, and when Tyler falls first, keeping their distance becomes impossible. But falling for each other is the easy part. Staying together when the world tries to tear them apart? That's where the real fight begins. Because family isn't always blood.
Sometimes it's who shows up at 3 a.m. Who stays when things get hard. Sometimes the best goals are the most unexpected.
I liked this but book there was great character development and the plot was excellent. It did feel a little repetitive at times which did make it feel like it was drawn out.
I went into this book not reading the first two in the series and would def recommend reading them first. I was confused in some parts along the way until they were answered later on.
July 1, 2026
ARC Review
Rating: 4.5 stars
This is the third book in The Breakaway Series, and this time the spotlight falls on Tyler West—our beloved hockey heartthrob who we've come to know throughout the previous books—and Nora Collins, a heroine impossible not to root for. 💕
Tyler is already struggling to find his place with his new team when his world is completely turned upside down. One unexpected doorbell ring changes everything. Standing on his doorstep is a baby girl accompanied by a note revealing that her name is Harper… and she's his daughter. 👶💔🏒
Suddenly, Tyler is thrown into a role he's entirely unprepared for. Desperate for help, he calls Em, who immediately drops everything and arrives with her mum and Maya. Their unwavering support creates one of my favorite elements of this story—true found family. 🥹❤️ Realising he needs long-term help, Em contacts a nanny agency and arranges for a live-in nanny to start as soon as possible.
Enter Nora Collins. 🌷✨ Buried under mounting bills and in desperate need of steady work, she accepts the position as Harper's nanny. Nora is determined to keep things professional, but living under the same roof as Tyler makes that increasingly difficult. What begins as a working relationship slowly blossoms into something much deeper, sweeter, and impossible to resist. 💖🏒
I absolutely adored both Tyler and Nora. Their chemistry was electric from the very beginning, and watching their relationship develop felt natural and rewarding. 🥰 The story also delivers plenty of drama when Harper's mother unexpectedly reappears, bringing uncertainty, tension, and emotional turmoil. And can we talk about the moment Nora slaps Tyler's captain? Because I was cheering and clapping right alongside her! 👏🔥😌
This book completely captured my heart. The pacing was spot on, the romance was beautifully developed 📖💕 If you love heartwarming family dynamics and a romance that slowly simmers before igniting, you'll want to add this one to your TBR immediately. ☕🏒✨
📚 Tropes
🏒 Hockey Romance
👶 Surprise Baby
💕 Single Dad × Nanny
🔥 Slow Burn
🛡️ Protective Hero
❤️ Found Family
🏠 Forced Proximity
Thank you Clara St.James for the ARC
Rating: 4.5 stars
This is the third book in The Breakaway Series, and this time the spotlight falls on Tyler West—our beloved hockey heartthrob who we've come to know throughout the previous books—and Nora Collins, a heroine impossible not to root for. 💕
Tyler is already struggling to find his place with his new team when his world is completely turned upside down. One unexpected doorbell ring changes everything. Standing on his doorstep is a baby girl accompanied by a note revealing that her name is Harper… and she's his daughter. 👶💔🏒
Suddenly, Tyler is thrown into a role he's entirely unprepared for. Desperate for help, he calls Em, who immediately drops everything and arrives with her mum and Maya. Their unwavering support creates one of my favorite elements of this story—true found family. 🥹❤️ Realising he needs long-term help, Em contacts a nanny agency and arranges for a live-in nanny to start as soon as possible.
Enter Nora Collins. 🌷✨ Buried under mounting bills and in desperate need of steady work, she accepts the position as Harper's nanny. Nora is determined to keep things professional, but living under the same roof as Tyler makes that increasingly difficult. What begins as a working relationship slowly blossoms into something much deeper, sweeter, and impossible to resist. 💖🏒
I absolutely adored both Tyler and Nora. Their chemistry was electric from the very beginning, and watching their relationship develop felt natural and rewarding. 🥰 The story also delivers plenty of drama when Harper's mother unexpectedly reappears, bringing uncertainty, tension, and emotional turmoil. And can we talk about the moment Nora slaps Tyler's captain? Because I was cheering and clapping right alongside her! 👏🔥😌
This book completely captured my heart. The pacing was spot on, the romance was beautifully developed 📖💕 If you love heartwarming family dynamics and a romance that slowly simmers before igniting, you'll want to add this one to your TBR immediately. ☕🏒✨
📚 Tropes
🏒 Hockey Romance
👶 Surprise Baby
💕 Single Dad × Nanny
🔥 Slow Burn
🛡️ Protective Hero
❤️ Found Family
🏠 Forced Proximity
Thank you Clara St.James for the ARC
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
5⭐️ // 2🌶
Unexpected goal, book 3 of the breakaway series, a beautiful and heartwarming story of 2 people with a past showing up for each other in a way that means everything.
We follow Tyler West, a pro hockey player who traded teams after everything that went wrong in his former team. Even though he was forgiven, he was not forgiving himself for the mistakes he made, and continues to punish himself for it. The trade did not go well, as the team captain made sure he was not accepted in the team, and really did everything to push him out of there. Tyler feels its karma, giving him what he deserves.
Feeling miserable, Tyler never expected his life would change completely. But when one day he opens his door and finds Harper, his 2mo daughter he did not know existed, he steps up as a father. He is overwelmed and panicking, but once the first scare is settled, he truely grows as a person, as a dad.
Enter Nora, she is battling a mental fight ever since her parents died, and is afraid to click with people, as it will lead to losing them. When she gets the call from her agency for an urgent position, she takes it, however, setting strong - professional - bounderies. She does not want to get attached.
With time passing, Tyler and Nora have a routine, both slowly sharing bits and pieces with each other, becoming a steady, sturdy team that works. The stakes are high and scary, the risks so permanent and big. Is their connection worth the fight, or will they keep their distance save but lonely?
Wauw, I truely loved this book so much. The characters are written so well, and the detail to their mental health is amazing. It's deep and messy, as traumas are, and it makes the story feel genuine. It's not just single dad falls in love with nanny, it is a story with so many facets, the way it makes you feel connected to them. Harper is the cutest litlle girl, and the love both MCs show her warms my heart. Clara made something special, something that shows what love is about. A must read for every (ice hockey) romance-reader!
"𝑨𝒅𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚" 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒚.
Unexpected goal, book 3 of the breakaway series, a beautiful and heartwarming story of 2 people with a past showing up for each other in a way that means everything.
We follow Tyler West, a pro hockey player who traded teams after everything that went wrong in his former team. Even though he was forgiven, he was not forgiving himself for the mistakes he made, and continues to punish himself for it. The trade did not go well, as the team captain made sure he was not accepted in the team, and really did everything to push him out of there. Tyler feels its karma, giving him what he deserves.
Feeling miserable, Tyler never expected his life would change completely. But when one day he opens his door and finds Harper, his 2mo daughter he did not know existed, he steps up as a father. He is overwelmed and panicking, but once the first scare is settled, he truely grows as a person, as a dad.
Enter Nora, she is battling a mental fight ever since her parents died, and is afraid to click with people, as it will lead to losing them. When she gets the call from her agency for an urgent position, she takes it, however, setting strong - professional - bounderies. She does not want to get attached.
With time passing, Tyler and Nora have a routine, both slowly sharing bits and pieces with each other, becoming a steady, sturdy team that works. The stakes are high and scary, the risks so permanent and big. Is their connection worth the fight, or will they keep their distance save but lonely?
Wauw, I truely loved this book so much. The characters are written so well, and the detail to their mental health is amazing. It's deep and messy, as traumas are, and it makes the story feel genuine. It's not just single dad falls in love with nanny, it is a story with so many facets, the way it makes you feel connected to them. Harper is the cutest litlle girl, and the love both MCs show her warms my heart. Clara made something special, something that shows what love is about. A must read for every (ice hockey) romance-reader!
"𝑨𝒅𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚" 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒚.
July 16, 2026
ARC Review
Clara you make every book you write worth reading
The tears I shed reading this book were totally unexpected I truly did not see myself falling for these characters and their story as quickly and as hard as I did
This book was exactly what Tyler's character needed
It is the perfect redemption arc for him
Knowing more about who he is now made everything he did, that had us hate or dislike him in the first two books, go completely out the window
He turned things around and made us all swoon over him especially being the dad that he is to Harper, he was ment to be a dad and all it took was an surprise on his doorstep and a bit of help along the way
I loved the found family of the previous books couples and how they come together to help Tyler, they have forgiven him now its his turn to realise the only one punishing him for his past mistakes is himself
Nora knows what loss feels like so she has strict rules focus on the job, basically go in do what needs to be done and leave when its done with zero attachments
However life doesnt work that way
Everything happens for a reason and, Nora and Tyler's story was exactly that, it was a romance filled with vulnerability and growth, creating a tender love story perfect for them
They are exactly who the other needed
These two grew to love each other without realising it, there was nothing forced about it, their love was unconditional and so beautifully natural
In the end they are a unit, they are each other's home, they are a family
A very adorable family of 3
My heart is very happy after finishing this book and writing my review I cannot stop smiling
Oh and that slap! It had me cheering as if I was right there, it was so well deserved and I felt it was such a pivotal moment
Thank you Clara for anothing incredible book
I have said this so many times and will never stop saying it, if you write it I will read it because every word you have written has been absolutely worth it
Clara you make every book you write worth reading
The tears I shed reading this book were totally unexpected I truly did not see myself falling for these characters and their story as quickly and as hard as I did
This book was exactly what Tyler's character needed
It is the perfect redemption arc for him
Knowing more about who he is now made everything he did, that had us hate or dislike him in the first two books, go completely out the window
He turned things around and made us all swoon over him especially being the dad that he is to Harper, he was ment to be a dad and all it took was an surprise on his doorstep and a bit of help along the way
I loved the found family of the previous books couples and how they come together to help Tyler, they have forgiven him now its his turn to realise the only one punishing him for his past mistakes is himself
Nora knows what loss feels like so she has strict rules focus on the job, basically go in do what needs to be done and leave when its done with zero attachments
However life doesnt work that way
Everything happens for a reason and, Nora and Tyler's story was exactly that, it was a romance filled with vulnerability and growth, creating a tender love story perfect for them
They are exactly who the other needed
These two grew to love each other without realising it, there was nothing forced about it, their love was unconditional and so beautifully natural
In the end they are a unit, they are each other's home, they are a family
A very adorable family of 3
My heart is very happy after finishing this book and writing my review I cannot stop smiling
Oh and that slap! It had me cheering as if I was right there, it was so well deserved and I felt it was such a pivotal moment
Thank you Clara for anothing incredible book
I have said this so many times and will never stop saying it, if you write it I will read it because every word you have written has been absolutely worth it
Review of advance copy received from Author
𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧
Unexpected Goal, absolutely surprised me in the best way possible.
If you've been following The Breakaway Series, then Tyler West is not a new character. We first met him in Check & Chase as Emma's ex, the guy who caused a lot of trouble and made plenty of mistakes. Then in Playing Defense, he gets traded to a new team, hoping to leave his past behind and start over. But no matter how hard he tries, his past seems determined to follow him.
And then comes the Unexpected Goal.
I honestly wasn't prepared for Tyler's redemption story. Watching him go from a man carrying guilt, loneliness, and regret to suddenly becoming an unexpected father had me completely invested. The moment Harper is left on his doorstep, his entire life changes, and I loved seeing him step up despite having absolutely no clue what he was doing.
What really made this story special for me was Tyler's growth. He wasn't perfect. He struggled, he panicked, and he doubted himself constantly, but he never stopped trying. Every small victory felt earned, and I found myself rooting for him every step of the way.
Then there's Nora. She was exactly what both Tyler and Harper needed. I loved how patient, caring, and understanding she was while still dealing with her own grief and struggles. The slow-building connection between Tyler and Norma felt natural and heartfelt, and I couldn't get enough of their interactions.
And can we talk about Harper? She completely stole the show. Every scene with her melted my heart. Watching this little family slowly come together gave me all the feelings.
Seeing Tyler finally get the opportunity to become the man he wanted to be was one of my favorite parts of the entire story.
Unexpected Goal, absolutely surprised me in the best way possible.
If you've been following The Breakaway Series, then Tyler West is not a new character. We first met him in Check & Chase as Emma's ex, the guy who caused a lot of trouble and made plenty of mistakes. Then in Playing Defense, he gets traded to a new team, hoping to leave his past behind and start over. But no matter how hard he tries, his past seems determined to follow him.
And then comes the Unexpected Goal.
I honestly wasn't prepared for Tyler's redemption story. Watching him go from a man carrying guilt, loneliness, and regret to suddenly becoming an unexpected father had me completely invested. The moment Harper is left on his doorstep, his entire life changes, and I loved seeing him step up despite having absolutely no clue what he was doing.
What really made this story special for me was Tyler's growth. He wasn't perfect. He struggled, he panicked, and he doubted himself constantly, but he never stopped trying. Every small victory felt earned, and I found myself rooting for him every step of the way.
Then there's Nora. She was exactly what both Tyler and Harper needed. I loved how patient, caring, and understanding she was while still dealing with her own grief and struggles. The slow-building connection between Tyler and Norma felt natural and heartfelt, and I couldn't get enough of their interactions.
And can we talk about Harper? She completely stole the show. Every scene with her melted my heart. Watching this little family slowly come together gave me all the feelings.
Seeing Tyler finally get the opportunity to become the man he wanted to be was one of my favorite parts of the entire story.
July 7, 2026
This book was honestly so beautiful and sad. I think I cried the whole book. Tyler ends up being a newly, single father with zero clue what to do when he finds a baby at his front door. In comes Nora, certified babysitter who is here to save Tyler from a breakdown. She teaches him all the ways to care for the baby, color coded sheets, bedtimes, feedings, bottle feeding. Everything is SUPPOSED to be professional, until the late nights start turning personal. They both have some trauma they are running from, thinking they don't deserve love or happiness but they do. God they do, the way they held off for so long fighting the love and passion they had for each-other was crazy. They brought out the best in each-other honestly. He showed her how to be loved and cared for, while she showed him how to be stronger & take nothing from no one. They helped each other grow & finally let themselves be happy regardless the issues they faced. And let me tell you they face MANY issues throughout, it was soo heartbreaking especially knowing how much they loved the baby and would do anything to keep her safe, even if that meant putting their own love story to the side for her sake. From the team mates (don't get me started on reaper) to west friends & family, it was such a good book just seeing everyone opening up and standing up for themselves. People showing up for them even if they didn't understand everything. Family isn't always blood. It's the people in your life who want you in theirs. The ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile, and who love you no matter what. And thats exactly the type of people Tyler & Nora have throughout. So beautiful & LOVE the epilogue, great read 🤍
Review of advance copy received from Author
4🌟, 3🌶️
This story completely stole my heart with its beautiful, emotional journey.
It follows Tyler, a lonely hockey player struggling to fit in with a new team, who suddenly finds a baby girl left on his doorstep. Watching him transition from a terrified, clueless newcomer to a deeply devoted father is incredibly heartwarming. Tyler is such a swoon-worthy character, and his personal growth as he navigates the sudden chaos of his new life is genuinely moving to witness.
The connection between Tyler and his new live-in nanny, Nora, is electric. She is a resilient, strong-willed woman navigating her own past losses, and she becomes the missing piece he desperately needs. Their slow-burn chemistry and the palpable yearning between them are handled perfectly, creating a beautiful foundation for their growing family. While the story is packed with intense drama—from a difficult custody battle to his toxic team environment—the focus remains firmly on their emotional healing and the way they learn to lean on one another.
Though the plot felt a little repetitive at times, the characters are written with so much depth that I remained completely invested until the very end. I highly recommend reading the earlier books in the series first to better understand the background, but the payoff is well worth the time. It is an incredibly rewarding read about overcoming past trauma, finding your chosen family, and realizing that the best goals for Tyler and Nora were the ones they never saw coming.
A beautiful reminder that love can show up in the most unexpected ways.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Clara St. James for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
This story completely stole my heart with its beautiful, emotional journey.
It follows Tyler, a lonely hockey player struggling to fit in with a new team, who suddenly finds a baby girl left on his doorstep. Watching him transition from a terrified, clueless newcomer to a deeply devoted father is incredibly heartwarming. Tyler is such a swoon-worthy character, and his personal growth as he navigates the sudden chaos of his new life is genuinely moving to witness.
The connection between Tyler and his new live-in nanny, Nora, is electric. She is a resilient, strong-willed woman navigating her own past losses, and she becomes the missing piece he desperately needs. Their slow-burn chemistry and the palpable yearning between them are handled perfectly, creating a beautiful foundation for their growing family. While the story is packed with intense drama—from a difficult custody battle to his toxic team environment—the focus remains firmly on their emotional healing and the way they learn to lean on one another.
Though the plot felt a little repetitive at times, the characters are written with so much depth that I remained completely invested until the very end. I highly recommend reading the earlier books in the series first to better understand the background, but the payoff is well worth the time. It is an incredibly rewarding read about overcoming past trauma, finding your chosen family, and realizing that the best goals for Tyler and Nora were the ones they never saw coming.
A beautiful reminder that love can show up in the most unexpected ways.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Clara St. James for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
July 8, 2026
From the very beginning, I was completely invested in the journey of Tyler and Nora. They felt like real people navigating an unexpected situation. I also loved how their relationship developed naturally through trust, communication, and the quiet, everyday moments instead of unnecessary drama.
Tyler's growth was easily one of my favorite parts of the book. Watching him embrace fatherhood while learning from his mistakes made him such a lovable hero. Nora was just as wonderful, kind, resilient, and supportive without losing her independence. Together, they made such a balanced couple, and I couldn't help but root for them.
I also really appreciated how the surprise baby trope was handled. The baby wasn't just there to bring the characters together but became an important part of their individual growth and the family they were building.
Another standout was Reaper's character arc. I hated how he treated Tyler for most of the book, but I appreciated that his change felt realistic. They didn't suddenly become friends. Instead, once he learned about Tyler's problem, he simply chose to stop making his life harder. That felt far more authentic than an instant redemption.
Overall, Unexpected Goal was sweet, heartwarming, and full of emotional depth. If you love hockey romances with found family, adorable parenting moments, emotionally mature characters, and healthy communication, I definitely recommend picking this one up.
For full review : pagesofyue.com
Many thanks to Clara St. James for allowing me advance access to this book. I’m leaving this review voluntarily, and all thoughts are my honest reaction to the story.
Tyler's growth was easily one of my favorite parts of the book. Watching him embrace fatherhood while learning from his mistakes made him such a lovable hero. Nora was just as wonderful, kind, resilient, and supportive without losing her independence. Together, they made such a balanced couple, and I couldn't help but root for them.
I also really appreciated how the surprise baby trope was handled. The baby wasn't just there to bring the characters together but became an important part of their individual growth and the family they were building.
Another standout was Reaper's character arc. I hated how he treated Tyler for most of the book, but I appreciated that his change felt realistic. They didn't suddenly become friends. Instead, once he learned about Tyler's problem, he simply chose to stop making his life harder. That felt far more authentic than an instant redemption.
Overall, Unexpected Goal was sweet, heartwarming, and full of emotional depth. If you love hockey romances with found family, adorable parenting moments, emotionally mature characters, and healthy communication, I definitely recommend picking this one up.
For full review : pagesofyue.com
Many thanks to Clara St. James for allowing me advance access to this book. I’m leaving this review voluntarily, and all thoughts are my honest reaction to the story.
July 10, 2026
I didn't anticipate loving this book as much as I did.
"I'm a guy who's been in love with you since you slapped my team captain in front of the entire roster.
I absolutely loved this quote and it represents why I enjoyed this book so much. Nowadays, in romance books you'll hear the MC's stating that they fell in love with the FMC's since the moment they saw them and that's always bothered me. Falling in love at first sight feels inauthentic but Unexpected Goal was anything but that.
It was so beautifully written and the story ran so fluidly. The characters love was so wonderful to witness. I loved their relationship and its progression though, at times, it felt fast paced. However, they didn't immediately act on their feelings once they realized them. That felt realistic and more raw.
Their dynamic was refreshing to read and I adored the lack of miscommunication. They acted like adults and expressed the reasons why getting together wasn't the smartest choice at the moment. These reasons felt valid and not reasons influenced by immaturity. They were mature and that was a breath of fresh air. Seeing them heal, grow and learn to forgive together added another layer to the story that made it even more wholesome.
They had each others back and gave grace where grace was due. That was empowering and depicted what the foundations of a healthy relationship should look like. Don't get me started on little Harper. That little sweet heart was blessed with both Tyler and Nora as parents and has noticeable flourished throughout the story.
I loved this book and can't wait for the next one.
"I'm a guy who's been in love with you since you slapped my team captain in front of the entire roster.
I absolutely loved this quote and it represents why I enjoyed this book so much. Nowadays, in romance books you'll hear the MC's stating that they fell in love with the FMC's since the moment they saw them and that's always bothered me. Falling in love at first sight feels inauthentic but Unexpected Goal was anything but that.
It was so beautifully written and the story ran so fluidly. The characters love was so wonderful to witness. I loved their relationship and its progression though, at times, it felt fast paced. However, they didn't immediately act on their feelings once they realized them. That felt realistic and more raw.
Their dynamic was refreshing to read and I adored the lack of miscommunication. They acted like adults and expressed the reasons why getting together wasn't the smartest choice at the moment. These reasons felt valid and not reasons influenced by immaturity. They were mature and that was a breath of fresh air. Seeing them heal, grow and learn to forgive together added another layer to the story that made it even more wholesome.
They had each others back and gave grace where grace was due. That was empowering and depicted what the foundations of a healthy relationship should look like. Don't get me started on little Harper. That little sweet heart was blessed with both Tyler and Nora as parents and has noticeable flourished throughout the story.
I loved this book and can't wait for the next one.
July 14, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ 4 Stars | Heartfelt, Funny & Full of Chemistry
Unexpected Goal by Clara St. James was such a sweet surprise! If you’re a fan of sports romance with plenty of heart, emotional growth, and a swoon-worthy single dad, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Tyler is completely out of his depth after unexpectedly becoming responsible for his baby daughter, and watching him navigate fatherhood was both emotional and genuinely heartwarming. Enter Nora—the experienced nanny who brings calm to the chaos. Their relationship develops naturally, with plenty of slow-burn tension, witty banter, and moments that had me smiling from start to finish.
One of my favourite parts of the story was seeing Tyler grow into the father he wanted to be. His character development felt authentic, and Nora’s patience, kindness, and strength made her impossible not to love. Together, they balanced each other perfectly.
The romance is tender, emotional, and filled with the kind of domestic moments that make you fall in love with the characters just as much as the romance itself. While I would have loved a little more tension in the final act, the ending left me completely satisfied.
Read this if you love:
* 🏒 Sports romance
* 👶 Unexpected single dad
* 💕 Nanny romance
* 🔥 Slow-burn chemistry
* 🏡 Found family vibes
* 💖 Emotional character growth
Overall, Unexpected Goal is a comforting, feel-good romance with lovable characters, plenty of heart, and a romance that’s easy to root for. If you enjoy stories where love grows alongside healing and family, I’d definitely recommend adding this one to your TBR.
Unexpected Goal by Clara St. James was such a sweet surprise! If you’re a fan of sports romance with plenty of heart, emotional growth, and a swoon-worthy single dad, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Tyler is completely out of his depth after unexpectedly becoming responsible for his baby daughter, and watching him navigate fatherhood was both emotional and genuinely heartwarming. Enter Nora—the experienced nanny who brings calm to the chaos. Their relationship develops naturally, with plenty of slow-burn tension, witty banter, and moments that had me smiling from start to finish.
One of my favourite parts of the story was seeing Tyler grow into the father he wanted to be. His character development felt authentic, and Nora’s patience, kindness, and strength made her impossible not to love. Together, they balanced each other perfectly.
The romance is tender, emotional, and filled with the kind of domestic moments that make you fall in love with the characters just as much as the romance itself. While I would have loved a little more tension in the final act, the ending left me completely satisfied.
Read this if you love:
* 🏒 Sports romance
* 👶 Unexpected single dad
* 💕 Nanny romance
* 🔥 Slow-burn chemistry
* 🏡 Found family vibes
* 💖 Emotional character growth
Overall, Unexpected Goal is a comforting, feel-good romance with lovable characters, plenty of heart, and a romance that’s easy to root for. If you enjoy stories where love grows alongside healing and family, I’d definitely recommend adding this one to your TBR.
July 3, 2026
**I received this as an ARC in exchange for my honest review**
“a year ago I was convinced my life was over. Now I know it was just the beginning. Harper taught me how to be a father. Nora taught me how to be loved. And I get to spend the rest of my life being both.”
I enjoyed this book a lot! The connection between Tyler and Nora was fun to experience. I did struggle with parts of the storyline, because when I signed up for this ARC, I didn’t realize it was book 3 in the series. So I didn’t really understand the conflict or relationship between Tyler and some other characters until later on in the story.
"’You catch me when I fall apart. This is me catching you. That's how we work.’"
There was also a lot of different trauma and stressors that were experienced by both Tyler, Nora, and little baby Harper. But they stuck together and didn’t let anything break that bond, even if they weren’t ready to be in a relationship.
"’You're good,’ Emma says quietly. ‘You've always been good. You just forgot it for a while. You got lost.’ A pause. ‘And I think Nora found you.’ … ‘Tyler. Forgive yourself. Please. You can't love someone properly when you're still serving a sentence you gave yourself.’”
And Tyler going from full panic mode, knowing nothing about babies to an amazing father who would do anything to protect his daughter was so beautiful!
"’Harper doesn't see someone who ruins things,’ she says. ‘She sees her dad. The person who shows up. The person who makes her feel safe. That's who you are to her, and that's what a judge is going to see too.’"
“a year ago I was convinced my life was over. Now I know it was just the beginning. Harper taught me how to be a father. Nora taught me how to be loved. And I get to spend the rest of my life being both.”
I enjoyed this book a lot! The connection between Tyler and Nora was fun to experience. I did struggle with parts of the storyline, because when I signed up for this ARC, I didn’t realize it was book 3 in the series. So I didn’t really understand the conflict or relationship between Tyler and some other characters until later on in the story.
"’You catch me when I fall apart. This is me catching you. That's how we work.’"
There was also a lot of different trauma and stressors that were experienced by both Tyler, Nora, and little baby Harper. But they stuck together and didn’t let anything break that bond, even if they weren’t ready to be in a relationship.
"’You're good,’ Emma says quietly. ‘You've always been good. You just forgot it for a while. You got lost.’ A pause. ‘And I think Nora found you.’ … ‘Tyler. Forgive yourself. Please. You can't love someone properly when you're still serving a sentence you gave yourself.’”
And Tyler going from full panic mode, knowing nothing about babies to an amazing father who would do anything to protect his daughter was so beautiful!
"’Harper doesn't see someone who ruins things,’ she says. ‘She sees her dad. The person who shows up. The person who makes her feel safe. That's who you are to her, and that's what a judge is going to see too.’"
Review of advance copy received from Author
We first met Tyler West in Clara's first book, Check & Chase, as Emma's awful ex that caused trouble and even more so (though trying to redeem his actions) in Playing Defense (book 2). Well, this is after that. He moves and is traded to a different team, trying to leave his past behind but it seems to follow him. Then the unexpected happens...
The doorbell rings...
A baby left on his doorstep. His baby.
Tyler freaks out but steps up to be a dad to his baby girl, Harper. Except he has no idea what he's doing. At all. So he calls for help.
That's when Nora comes into the picture.
What was meant to be a professional relationship becomes more over time as Nora guides Tyler into how to be a dad and care for Harper.
This truly brought a different side to Tyler and I was completely there for it. He was made to be a dad. The moments he had with Harper were beautiful. And Nora was the perfect person to help him do that. She was the one Tyler needed. And she needed him to prove to herself that she deserves love and that he and Harper won't leave her. Also, sweet baby girl Harper 🥰 it was like as a reader I was really there watching her grow up in the first year of her life 💕 The support system of (found) family was brilliant too (family is where the love is).
I loved it all ! 💚
Unexpected Goal releases July 2nd 2026
thank you Clara for having me as an arc reader again and as a street team member 💚💚
The doorbell rings...
A baby left on his doorstep. His baby.
Tyler freaks out but steps up to be a dad to his baby girl, Harper. Except he has no idea what he's doing. At all. So he calls for help.
That's when Nora comes into the picture.
What was meant to be a professional relationship becomes more over time as Nora guides Tyler into how to be a dad and care for Harper.
This truly brought a different side to Tyler and I was completely there for it. He was made to be a dad. The moments he had with Harper were beautiful. And Nora was the perfect person to help him do that. She was the one Tyler needed. And she needed him to prove to herself that she deserves love and that he and Harper won't leave her. Also, sweet baby girl Harper 🥰 it was like as a reader I was really there watching her grow up in the first year of her life 💕 The support system of (found) family was brilliant too (family is where the love is).
I loved it all ! 💚
Unexpected Goal releases July 2nd 2026
thank you Clara for having me as an arc reader again and as a street team member 💚💚
Review of advance copy received from Author
-Single Dad x Nanny
-Hockey Romance
-surprise baby
-he falls first and harder
-yearning
First I want to start off my saying the characters are beautifully written. When faced with adversity, Tyler handles it so well. At first of course he is scared and panicked because he has never cared for a baby but once Nora steps in and helps he starts to feel so much better.
Nora is such a strong woman. She has gone through so much with losing her parents that she is very closed off. Tyler tries so hard to break down her walls and she is very resistant. But she will go to bat for the ones that she loves and that is proven in this book.
Tyler struggles with his past as well as being bullied by the Captain of the hockey team. He thinks he deserves to be bullied. It’s extremely sad to read this when he is such a kind and nurturing guy. He has changed so much since he past but he can’t truly move on until something clicks and things change.
I liked this book but it felt a little too drawn out for me. Which in the end made it feel like a little disjointed. But the characters and plot are very good and I think I just didn’t fully click with it.
I will say it feels important to read the other two books first so you get the full picture. Yes, you can read it as a standalone but I think it would make more sense to read the other two books first.
Thank you to the Author and Agency for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
-Hockey Romance
-surprise baby
-he falls first and harder
-yearning
First I want to start off my saying the characters are beautifully written. When faced with adversity, Tyler handles it so well. At first of course he is scared and panicked because he has never cared for a baby but once Nora steps in and helps he starts to feel so much better.
Nora is such a strong woman. She has gone through so much with losing her parents that she is very closed off. Tyler tries so hard to break down her walls and she is very resistant. But she will go to bat for the ones that she loves and that is proven in this book.
Tyler struggles with his past as well as being bullied by the Captain of the hockey team. He thinks he deserves to be bullied. It’s extremely sad to read this when he is such a kind and nurturing guy. He has changed so much since he past but he can’t truly move on until something clicks and things change.
I liked this book but it felt a little too drawn out for me. Which in the end made it feel like a little disjointed. But the characters and plot are very good and I think I just didn’t fully click with it.
I will say it feels important to read the other two books first so you get the full picture. Yes, you can read it as a standalone but I think it would make more sense to read the other two books first.
Thank you to the Author and Agency for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I really enjoyed this single dad nanny trope.
Tyler is in a bad place the baggage of his past has followed him to his new ice hockey team and the captain hates him. Then it gets ten times worse when a baby is left on his doorstep with a note saying Harpers is his.
Nora gets an emergency placement nannying for a professional athlete who has suddenly become a father. She too has baggage from the past.
When Nora arrives at Tyler’s rental house to find chaos, Tyler looking terrified holding a screaming baby.
Soon Nora has the household in a organised routine and Tyler a doting Dad. Slowly the attraction between them grows, especially when she lets him talk about the excessive reactions his captain has to him on the ice. Taking care of his injuries.
When it all gets too much for Nora, she storms to the arena and confronts the captain laying it all on the line calling him a coward. Shocking everyone she slaps his face before leaving. Outing their relationship as girlfriend not just the nanny.
The repercussions leave her banned from the arena and Tyler realising he needs to do something for himself that he should have done a while ago.
He confronts the captain outlining all the evidence he has on him, giving him no excuse but to stop his antics.
When Harpers biological mother turns up demanding to take her back, Nora and Tyler get ready for a court hearing.
After finding out what had happened to Jessica they have a good chance of winning custody and their lawyer is very good and they get the best outcome they could wish for.
They become the family they both thought they’d never get.
A lovely story.
Tyler is in a bad place the baggage of his past has followed him to his new ice hockey team and the captain hates him. Then it gets ten times worse when a baby is left on his doorstep with a note saying Harpers is his.
Nora gets an emergency placement nannying for a professional athlete who has suddenly become a father. She too has baggage from the past.
When Nora arrives at Tyler’s rental house to find chaos, Tyler looking terrified holding a screaming baby.
Soon Nora has the household in a organised routine and Tyler a doting Dad. Slowly the attraction between them grows, especially when she lets him talk about the excessive reactions his captain has to him on the ice. Taking care of his injuries.
When it all gets too much for Nora, she storms to the arena and confronts the captain laying it all on the line calling him a coward. Shocking everyone she slaps his face before leaving. Outing their relationship as girlfriend not just the nanny.
The repercussions leave her banned from the arena and Tyler realising he needs to do something for himself that he should have done a while ago.
He confronts the captain outlining all the evidence he has on him, giving him no excuse but to stop his antics.
When Harpers biological mother turns up demanding to take her back, Nora and Tyler get ready for a court hearing.
After finding out what had happened to Jessica they have a good chance of winning custody and their lawyer is very good and they get the best outcome they could wish for.
They become the family they both thought they’d never get.
A lovely story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
God, what a book?! I was completely heartbroken for Tyler reading this book. The whole book my heart bled for him and I was firmly not a fan of him from the first two books in the series.
With the guilt of his actions weighing on him, Tyler asks for a trade and hopes to start over with a new team. With the new team captain literally icing him out on and off the rink, he has failed to make any friends and has fell into a lonely routine until one day an unexpected knock at his door, tiny baby has been left.tin his door stop and he's completely clueless in what yo do.
With no experience, he calls Emma and she sorts out a nanny.
Enter Nora. Nanny extraordinare. But what people don't know, is Nora is lonely and grieving. Terrified of feeling something for anyone that would eventually leave.
What is supposed to be a professional relationship helping Tyler come to grips with his unexpected parenthood, morphs into something more.
Bonding over night feeds and milestones, Nora and Tyler grow impossibly closer and both try pretending nothing is happening between them. But when enough is enough, Tyler finally admits his feelings but with his custody in question and Nora's adversity to let anyone in, life might not pan out exactly as he hopes.
Clara St. James has written something that honesty moved me, emotionally wrecked me and put me back together. Not only was the topics both MCs dealt with, written empathetically but also in a way that resonates.
Thank you so much for the ARC, I can't wait to see what else is in store for us❤️
With the guilt of his actions weighing on him, Tyler asks for a trade and hopes to start over with a new team. With the new team captain literally icing him out on and off the rink, he has failed to make any friends and has fell into a lonely routine until one day an unexpected knock at his door, tiny baby has been left.tin his door stop and he's completely clueless in what yo do.
With no experience, he calls Emma and she sorts out a nanny.
Enter Nora. Nanny extraordinare. But what people don't know, is Nora is lonely and grieving. Terrified of feeling something for anyone that would eventually leave.
What is supposed to be a professional relationship helping Tyler come to grips with his unexpected parenthood, morphs into something more.
Bonding over night feeds and milestones, Nora and Tyler grow impossibly closer and both try pretending nothing is happening between them. But when enough is enough, Tyler finally admits his feelings but with his custody in question and Nora's adversity to let anyone in, life might not pan out exactly as he hopes.
Clara St. James has written something that honesty moved me, emotionally wrecked me and put me back together. Not only was the topics both MCs dealt with, written empathetically but also in a way that resonates.
Thank you so much for the ARC, I can't wait to see what else is in store for us❤️
July 7, 2026
⭐️4
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 💚
I knew I was going to enjoy this book because I love the surprise baby, single dad, and nanny romances, and even though I have read a bunch of these books, this book still managed to stand out. From the very first chapter, I immediately was fully invested in Tyler and Nora and how their story would play out.
I love how the relationship played out between Tyler and Nora. I like that at first they were friends first, and then they turned something more. But throughout that, I just love how they would become each other’s support system. They were exactly what the other needed. I loved how Nora was such a good support system for Tyler, and even though at first he was super unsure of himself, I loved how Nora just supported him through those emotions.
The only thing I didn’t like was the pacing of this book. I completely understood why Tyler and Nora wanted to keep things private from everyone else, but I felt like they spent too much time denying their feelings that I just wanted them to be together. There were so many moments where they acted like a couple already, yet they kept creating distance between each other.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and had such a good time with it. This was my first book by this author, but it definitely won’t be my last. I am excited to continue the series.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 💚
I knew I was going to enjoy this book because I love the surprise baby, single dad, and nanny romances, and even though I have read a bunch of these books, this book still managed to stand out. From the very first chapter, I immediately was fully invested in Tyler and Nora and how their story would play out.
I love how the relationship played out between Tyler and Nora. I like that at first they were friends first, and then they turned something more. But throughout that, I just love how they would become each other’s support system. They were exactly what the other needed. I loved how Nora was such a good support system for Tyler, and even though at first he was super unsure of himself, I loved how Nora just supported him through those emotions.
The only thing I didn’t like was the pacing of this book. I completely understood why Tyler and Nora wanted to keep things private from everyone else, but I felt like they spent too much time denying their feelings that I just wanted them to be together. There were so many moments where they acted like a couple already, yet they kept creating distance between each other.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and had such a good time with it. This was my first book by this author, but it definitely won’t be my last. I am excited to continue the series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
🅰🆁🅲 🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
𝐔𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐒𝐭. 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬
"𝘛𝘸𝘰 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦."
"𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘩. 𝘔𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘴."
"𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦?"
"𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘸𝘢𝘺."
If you've been following The Breakaway Series, then Tyler West is already a familiar face. We first met him in Check & Chase, and from the very beginning, my heart ached for him. I'm not gonna lie, I wasn't his biggest fan in the first two books. Tyler was flawed. He panicked, questioned every decision, and carried the weight of his insecurities, but what made his journey unforgettable was that he never gave up. Watching his growth unfold was incredibly rewarding.
As always, Clara St. James crafted a story that completely shattered me before gently piecing me back together. The emotional struggles both Tyler and Nora face are handled with so much compassion and authenticity that they feel deeply relatable. More than a romance, this is a heartfelt story about discovering where you belong, believing you're worthy of love, learning to forgive yourself, embracing vulnerability, and realizing that caring for others also means allowing yourself to be cared for
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
𝐔𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐒𝐭. 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬
"𝘛𝘸𝘰 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦."
"𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘩. 𝘔𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘴."
"𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦?"
"𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘸𝘢𝘺."
If you've been following The Breakaway Series, then Tyler West is already a familiar face. We first met him in Check & Chase, and from the very beginning, my heart ached for him. I'm not gonna lie, I wasn't his biggest fan in the first two books. Tyler was flawed. He panicked, questioned every decision, and carried the weight of his insecurities, but what made his journey unforgettable was that he never gave up. Watching his growth unfold was incredibly rewarding.
As always, Clara St. James crafted a story that completely shattered me before gently piecing me back together. The emotional struggles both Tyler and Nora face are handled with so much compassion and authenticity that they feel deeply relatable. More than a romance, this is a heartfelt story about discovering where you belong, believing you're worthy of love, learning to forgive yourself, embracing vulnerability, and realizing that caring for others also means allowing yourself to be cared for
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to Clara for an ARC of this book, I fell in love with Tyler and Nora’s story! I feel privileged to witness Tyler’s development.
Tyler’s character arc is honestly one of my favourites. Watching him go from this scared man, to this fierce protective dad and partner was incredible. Seeing him grow as a person, and move on from his past and his mistakes to become this much better person.
Nora was the perfect match for Tyler and the perfect caregiver for Harper.
I really enjoyed watching them try to maintain this professional boundaries whilst spending all this sleep deprived, quality time together! Their relationship developed so naturally.
This is probably the least spicy in this series and I actually really liked that, I think it was really fitting for the position they were in, but that didn’t stop it from being full of lust and yearning.
I loved the third act conflict for this one. I love when the issue isn’t actually to do with their relationship or someone messing up. It was really fitting for the story, and it was lovely to see them lean on eachother whilst figuring out this awful situation. I loved the resolve of this too.
All in all a super enjoyable read that I highly recommend! If you haven’t already I definitely recommend reading this entire series.
Thank you so much to Clara for this ARC copy and for creating such beautiful stories!
I can’t wait to see what else you have lined up!
Tyler’s character arc is honestly one of my favourites. Watching him go from this scared man, to this fierce protective dad and partner was incredible. Seeing him grow as a person, and move on from his past and his mistakes to become this much better person.
Nora was the perfect match for Tyler and the perfect caregiver for Harper.
I really enjoyed watching them try to maintain this professional boundaries whilst spending all this sleep deprived, quality time together! Their relationship developed so naturally.
This is probably the least spicy in this series and I actually really liked that, I think it was really fitting for the position they were in, but that didn’t stop it from being full of lust and yearning.
I loved the third act conflict for this one. I love when the issue isn’t actually to do with their relationship or someone messing up. It was really fitting for the story, and it was lovely to see them lean on eachother whilst figuring out this awful situation. I loved the resolve of this too.
All in all a super enjoyable read that I highly recommend! If you haven’t already I definitely recommend reading this entire series.
Thank you so much to Clara for this ARC copy and for creating such beautiful stories!
I can’t wait to see what else you have lined up!
July 7, 2026
I received this book as an ARC, but let me tell you right away: my excitement is completely genuine.
This story hooked me from the start. It begins with a slow, steady build‑up and then blossoms into a whirlwind of emotion, tension, and irresistible chemistry. We follow Tyler, who suddenly becomes a father when his one‑night stand drops their baby on his doorstep. While he’s scrambling to figure out how to keep a tiny human alive, he’s also fighting tooth and nail for his ice‑hockey career.
In full panic mode, he calls his best friend Emma, who immediately comes to help. Where she sees he’s in way over his head. Her solution? A live‑in nanny named Nora — and from the moment she arrives, the dynamic shifts beautifully. What starts as practical help quickly grows into something tender, warm, and undeniably romantic.
Tyler and Nora’s feelings develop slowly and sweetly, all while the looming possibility of the baby’s mother returning forces them to keep their connection hidden. The longer they wait, the stronger the tension becomes — lingering looks, quiet moments, and a chemistry that practically crackles.
I was completely invested.
Want to know how it all plays out? You’ll have to dive into the book yourself — and trust me, you’ll enjoy every minute.
This story hooked me from the start. It begins with a slow, steady build‑up and then blossoms into a whirlwind of emotion, tension, and irresistible chemistry. We follow Tyler, who suddenly becomes a father when his one‑night stand drops their baby on his doorstep. While he’s scrambling to figure out how to keep a tiny human alive, he’s also fighting tooth and nail for his ice‑hockey career.
In full panic mode, he calls his best friend Emma, who immediately comes to help. Where she sees he’s in way over his head. Her solution? A live‑in nanny named Nora — and from the moment she arrives, the dynamic shifts beautifully. What starts as practical help quickly grows into something tender, warm, and undeniably romantic.
Tyler and Nora’s feelings develop slowly and sweetly, all while the looming possibility of the baby’s mother returning forces them to keep their connection hidden. The longer they wait, the stronger the tension becomes — lingering looks, quiet moments, and a chemistry that practically crackles.
I was completely invested.
Want to know how it all plays out? You’ll have to dive into the book yourself — and trust me, you’ll enjoy every minute.
July 19, 2026
unexpected
This is a story about two people who have isolated themselves. Nora because she lost her family tragically, Tyler removed himself from a life he thought he ruined and lives in isolation because he does not try to correct anyones idea of him, including his own.
Unexpectedly, he has a baby from his ONS 11 months prior, a 2 month old. He calls people from his old life and they show up immediately. They help him hire a nanny since they live far away. Nora comes and is the godsend that they all wanted and needed. Harper, baby girl, flourishes in their care. Both of them start to see what life could be if they let light and love back in and that is exactly what Harper is. The world revolves around her.
After forced weeks of proximity, they start to see each other for the good people they are now. He is flying by the seat of his pants, caught off guard and she is full of systems, accuracy and recording. They see each other for all that they can be not through the negative lenses that they each see themselves, deserving of the isolation and ‘punishment’ their lives are. They also see that they are the people that will advocate for each other, both go out on limbs to defend each other.
This is a story about two people who have isolated themselves. Nora because she lost her family tragically, Tyler removed himself from a life he thought he ruined and lives in isolation because he does not try to correct anyones idea of him, including his own.
Unexpectedly, he has a baby from his ONS 11 months prior, a 2 month old. He calls people from his old life and they show up immediately. They help him hire a nanny since they live far away. Nora comes and is the godsend that they all wanted and needed. Harper, baby girl, flourishes in their care. Both of them start to see what life could be if they let light and love back in and that is exactly what Harper is. The world revolves around her.
After forced weeks of proximity, they start to see each other for the good people they are now. He is flying by the seat of his pants, caught off guard and she is full of systems, accuracy and recording. They see each other for all that they can be not through the negative lenses that they each see themselves, deserving of the isolation and ‘punishment’ their lives are. They also see that they are the people that will advocate for each other, both go out on limbs to defend each other.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Tyler West is lonely and carrying a lot of guilt.
Not fitting in with his new team and struggling to make friends, he is questioning his life choices, until a surprise is left on his doorstep.
Nora Collins is also feeling lonely and going through a grieving process, but refuses to let anyone near afraid of being heartbroken again.
When she needs a job and Tyler desperately needs help, she becomes his saviour.
Bonding over exhaustion, the weight of responsibility and taking care of someone else, brings them closer and closer.
But their relationship might threaten Tyler’s stability and choices have to be made.
Clara St. James gives us a beautiful love story that focuses on finding your place in the world, being enough, being worthy, learning how to forgive yourself and taking care of others, but also learning how to be loved.
Nora becomes Tyler’s anchor and Tyler becomes Nora’s safe haven.
Unexpected goal is a romance with deep connections, self-sacrifice, unexpected surprises, sweet moments, tear-jerking scenes and spicy chemistry that you will love.
Thank you for the ARC.
Not fitting in with his new team and struggling to make friends, he is questioning his life choices, until a surprise is left on his doorstep.
Nora Collins is also feeling lonely and going through a grieving process, but refuses to let anyone near afraid of being heartbroken again.
When she needs a job and Tyler desperately needs help, she becomes his saviour.
Bonding over exhaustion, the weight of responsibility and taking care of someone else, brings them closer and closer.
But their relationship might threaten Tyler’s stability and choices have to be made.
Clara St. James gives us a beautiful love story that focuses on finding your place in the world, being enough, being worthy, learning how to forgive yourself and taking care of others, but also learning how to be loved.
Nora becomes Tyler’s anchor and Tyler becomes Nora’s safe haven.
Unexpected goal is a romance with deep connections, self-sacrifice, unexpected surprises, sweet moments, tear-jerking scenes and spicy chemistry that you will love.
Thank you for the ARC.
July 8, 2026
Tyler and Nora's story was filled with so much emotion, healing, and growth. Tyler's life is turned upside down when he unexpectedly becomes a father, and watching him step into the role despite feeling completely overwhelmed was one of my favorite parts of the book. He wasn't perfect, but his determination to do right by his daughter made him impossible not to love.
Nora was the perfect balance to Tyler. As Harper's nanny, she brings patience, warmth, and stability, and I loved watching their relationship develop naturally. This is a true slow-burn romance, with late-night feedings, quiet moments, and a friendship that slowly blossoms into something much deeper.
Baby Harper absolutely stole every scene she was in and made this story even more special. I also appreciated how the author handled the characters' emotional struggles and past trauma with care, making them feel authentic and relatable.
If you enjoy hockey romance, single dad stories, slow-burn romance, found family, and a hero who falls first, I highly recommend **Unexpected Goal**. It was sweet, emotional, and left me with the biggest smile by the end.
Nora was the perfect balance to Tyler. As Harper's nanny, she brings patience, warmth, and stability, and I loved watching their relationship develop naturally. This is a true slow-burn romance, with late-night feedings, quiet moments, and a friendship that slowly blossoms into something much deeper.
Baby Harper absolutely stole every scene she was in and made this story even more special. I also appreciated how the author handled the characters' emotional struggles and past trauma with care, making them feel authentic and relatable.
If you enjoy hockey romance, single dad stories, slow-burn romance, found family, and a hero who falls first, I highly recommend **Unexpected Goal**. It was sweet, emotional, and left me with the biggest smile by the end.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW FROM THE AUTHOR
First thank you so much for the ARC!
This book had me crying and giving me all the feelings. With what both Tyler and Nora had been through in life I understand why they continued to fight the feelings that they had for each other. It made the yearning a great part to experience throughout the book. It was really refreshing though to see when they finally admitted the feeling to each other they both were up front with what they both wanted. The continued support, understanding and showing up for each definitely came through especially with everything with Reaper and the court case. It was a beautiful testament of what they both meant to each other.
I’m always a fan of the found family troupe. The way that Emma didn’t even think about getting to Tyler when he called about Harper. She and everyone else just wanted to be there for their friend and his new baby girl and show that they loved and cared about him and now her.
This was just a heart warming story and a great addition to this series.
First thank you so much for the ARC!
This book had me crying and giving me all the feelings. With what both Tyler and Nora had been through in life I understand why they continued to fight the feelings that they had for each other. It made the yearning a great part to experience throughout the book. It was really refreshing though to see when they finally admitted the feeling to each other they both were up front with what they both wanted. The continued support, understanding and showing up for each definitely came through especially with everything with Reaper and the court case. It was a beautiful testament of what they both meant to each other.
I’m always a fan of the found family troupe. The way that Emma didn’t even think about getting to Tyler when he called about Harper. She and everyone else just wanted to be there for their friend and his new baby girl and show that they loved and cared about him and now her.
This was just a heart warming story and a great addition to this series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️
1/2 🌶️ (two scenes)
Hockey player x nanny
Unexpected baby
Forced proximity (live-in nanny)
Found family
First of all, thank you to this author for letting me be an arc reader on this book. This is my honest review.
- A knock on the door and a baby on the porch. Now, all of a sudden, Tyler West has to navigate being a father to his two-month-old baby girl.
- Nora Collins gets a call through a nanny agency for an urgent live-in nanny position with a hockey player, who didn’t even know he had a daughter. And what an opportunity when the notice on your apartment is overdue, lots of bills, and the job listings all feel wrong.
I would recommend reading the books prior to this one for the full story. I went into this book without having read the previous ones, and there were several occasions where I felt like I was missing something. I think you’d know if you read them in order.
The writing and pacing in the story felt a bit off for me. I had a hard time feeling the chemistry between the MCs, and it felt a bit forced and unnatural at times. But overall, a good read.
1/2 🌶️ (two scenes)
Hockey player x nanny
Unexpected baby
Forced proximity (live-in nanny)
Found family
First of all, thank you to this author for letting me be an arc reader on this book. This is my honest review.
- A knock on the door and a baby on the porch. Now, all of a sudden, Tyler West has to navigate being a father to his two-month-old baby girl.
- Nora Collins gets a call through a nanny agency for an urgent live-in nanny position with a hockey player, who didn’t even know he had a daughter. And what an opportunity when the notice on your apartment is overdue, lots of bills, and the job listings all feel wrong.
I would recommend reading the books prior to this one for the full story. I went into this book without having read the previous ones, and there were several occasions where I felt like I was missing something. I think you’d know if you read them in order.
The writing and pacing in the story felt a bit off for me. I had a hard time feeling the chemistry between the MCs, and it felt a bit forced and unnatural at times. But overall, a good read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Unexpected Goal is NHL player Tyler and Nora’s heartwarming, sweet and at times emotional story. It’s book three in The Breakaway Series but it’s the first book I have read by this author and I believe this book can be read and enjoyed as a standalone. This is a beautifully written story and this author was not afraid to touch on some tough subjects all of which added another layer to the journey.
Tyler finds a two month old little girl on his doorstep one evening and his best friends jump in a car and drive eight hours to help him out. But he needs something permanent and they organise a live in nanny and that’s Nora.
Nora teaches him everything she knows about caring for babies and in the process feelings come into play. So will this couple take a leap of faith and trust their heart or will their past ruin any chance of a HEA.
I fell hard and fast for Tyler and I adored Nora but it was watching him learn to be a daddy that stole my heart. This might be my first from this author but it won’t be my last.
Tyler finds a two month old little girl on his doorstep one evening and his best friends jump in a car and drive eight hours to help him out. But he needs something permanent and they organise a live in nanny and that’s Nora.
Nora teaches him everything she knows about caring for babies and in the process feelings come into play. So will this couple take a leap of faith and trust their heart or will their past ruin any chance of a HEA.
I fell hard and fast for Tyler and I adored Nora but it was watching him learn to be a daddy that stole my heart. This might be my first from this author but it won’t be my last.
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