What if We Broke the Rules?

The Heart of Nashville #1

by Tara Grace Ericson

Genres: Christian Fiction, Sports, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Contemporary

337 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 22, 2026

About the author

Tara Grace Ericson

faith, hope, and happily ever after

Tara writes small-town, contemporary Christian romance. She loves stories of modern-day characters struggling to obey God, forgive others, and accept themselves - oh, and finding their happily-ever-after along the way.

She lives in Southwest Missouri with her husband and two sons, writing full-time, in between chasing a two toddlers!

Get a free e-book by signing up for Tara's newsletter at her website!

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Reviews

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Hockey is the only thing I’ve ever been good at. And if I lose it, I don’t know who I am without it.”

That hit hard! We may not be hockey heroes, but we might experience job loss, empty nest, etc. and can identify with the main character. We could all do with a quick inventory of what defines us!!!!

Tara Grace Ericson has zeroed in on what really makes ME care about fictional people - understanding their vulnerabilities. With Pierce Schumacher, the author paved a trail straight to my heart. I want to know that this hockey hero has weak spots and insecurities, has fears, and is conflicted. I got more than I bargained for; Lindsay’s personal challenges are revealed, too.

There are many hockey romances available. Here’s what sets this one apart for ME:

🏒The brotherhood of the team is used as a means of self-reflection for Pierce
🏒Pierce struggles with who he is when he’s not performing; he grows through self-discovery
🏒Characters find resilience in hardship and use it to foster growth
🏒Characters are involved in mentorship; this allows readers to consider their influence and see that Pierce/Lindsay are not just transferring knowledge, but strengthening their own courage and resilience
🏒The hockey hero is a secret book nerd
🏒Strong woman creating and holding boundaries AND a man who respects them
🏒Woman who doesn’t try to change a man, but appreciates where he is and what makes him tick

I appreciated being prompted to check out Psalm 56:3-4. The novel is centered on these verses, and I needed the encouragement Ericson offers about fear.

I’m looking forward to book two.

[Samantha Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic start to a new series!

I enjoyed every bit of this story, and I cannot wait to read the next one. This book had the perfect amount of tension, chemistry, banter, and faith. I loved getting to know all the characters, and I can see who some of the later books will be about.

If you love 'bad' boy hockey players vs rule-following PT's, slow burn romance, and wonderful supporting side characters, this book is for you. No spice and kisses only.

[Margaret Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, even though I'm not a big hockey fan. The characters are well done, and I ended up staying up way after midnight to find out what happened! There's a lot of physical therapy jargon, but it didn't detract from the story. I liked the way the characters interacted, changed in positive ways, and supported their friends. I look forward to more in this multi-author series.

[Allyson Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome read. Lindsay, a physical therapist, has rules to protect herself, her job, her heart, and her reputation because she was hurt before in the past. Pierce, a hockey player, starts off with a bad boy personality but his character arc changes after he gets injured. I enjoyed the faith elements in What If We Broke the Rules?, and both Pierce and Lindsay had lessons to learn. Great story.

[Clean Book Hoarders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so excited for The Heart of Nashville series! This is like Friends, but Christian and in book form. Book 1 is such a great setup introducing us to the friend group and their hangout, Melody’s.

Lindsay who is a physical therapist that is living by several rules to ensure she doesn’t get hurt again.

Pierce is a professional hockey player who suffers an injury and is forced to think about who he is outside of hockey.

Will Pierce be able to figure out where his worth comes from? Will Lindsey be able to open herself up again?

I really loved this story and can’t wait to continue on in the series! I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review, and I’ve already pre-ordered it because it is so good. 😊 5 ⭐️

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn into this story from the moment I read the dedication from the author to “all the good girls who thought following the rules would save them…And to all the rule breakers who ever felt like they were beyond the reach of grace.” I loved Lindsay, a physical therapist who was given the responsibility of covering for a colleague who was on maternity leave and wound up working with an injured hockey star named Pierce. Lindsay had an inflexible set of rules she enforced in order to protect her heart from pain ever since she had experienced rejection and public humiliation in a previous relationship with her college athlete boyfriend who had treated her love as insignificant. She was probably the only woman alive who was immune to the charms of bad boy Pierce—and he loved it! This slow burn romance tells each of their stories and I was rooting for them by the time the book was concluding. Often a clean rom-com is considered “Christian” if the character goes to church or the name of God is mentioned in passing but this book was unmistakably Christian. The characters in this story showed so much spiritual growth and I learned a lot from them to apply to my own life. Favorite quote: “Shame is a liar. Shame says your worst moment is the end of your story. Grace says it’s not. Shame says you’re disqualified. Grace says you’re beloved anyway.” Highly recommend!
I received an ARC from the author. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

if you’re not a hockey fan, it’s a great read

Thoroughly enjoyed Lindsay and Pierce’s story. I loved how both characters’ struggles were relatable to things in my own life and the story is written in a way that their personal growth (while not necessarily easy) was inspiring without being preachy - we can find value in who God created us to be outside of what we do and we can’t always do everything perfectly and that’s .

Ericson did a brilliant job with the first novel in this multi-author series. Can’t wait to read the next one!

[Crystal Nielsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was filled with sports and an off-limits romance 💙🏒

Injured Hockey Player
Reformed Bad Boy
Physical Trainer FMC
Forced Proximity
Forbidden Romance
Texting

Thank you Tara for a copy of your book. This is my genuine review.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

What If We Broke the Rules? is a faith based, heartwarming, hockey romance. Lindsay, a physical therapist, and Pierce, the injured, bad boy, hockey player meet when she is assigned his rehab once her co-worker goes on maternity leave early. I loved watching these two try to fight their attraction, but even more I watched them grow their faith. Pierce is a new Christian and Lindsay needs to be reminded to pray rather than trusting her own decisions. This is a well written Christian romance that I stayed up too late to finish. I did not want to say goodbye!

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book. Tara Grace Ericson never fails to me to bring a tear to my eye with her books. Im an emotional reader and I am very proud of it. This is a first book in a multi author series I am sure to love every single one of them. When I saw the line of authors for The Heart of Nashville I was stoked. WIWBTR (abbreviated) is a hockey romance that is sure to capture your heart from page one.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are all my own.

[Angeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Oh, this was so good! I love the faith themes and the way that the characters grew throughout the book. What If We Broke the Rules is written by Tara Grace Ericson and it is the first book in the multi author series, Heart of Nashville. I was so excited to read this one and it did not disappoint!
Pierce and Lindsey both had some growing and trusting to do. Pierce was used to pushing through and doing everything on his own. However an injury that threatens his career forces him to slow down. It was interesting to learn about Pierce. He felt very real. He wasn’t a believer and was putting his identity in hockey. However he found himself searching for something more as he slowed down. I liked how he was respectful of Lindsey and how he seemed to genuinely care for others. He had some soul searching to do but it was cool to see his growth throughout the book.
Lindsey was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. She was trying to do as much as possible while still protecting her heart. I felt for her as she tried to balance work and expectations. It was sweet to see Pierce try to come alongside her and help shoulder the burdens. I loved seeing her faith throughout the book and the way she continually turned to God while anxious. However Lindsey had to learn to let others in and take leaps of faith even when she was scared.
The romance was slow burn. Lindsey and Pierce spent time together as Lindsey helped Pierce with his therapy as a PT. They weren’t looking for love but found a connection in each other. I liked the growth of their relationship as they got to know each other and trust each other. The story was interesting and I wanted to see what would happen at the end.
I really enjoyed this book and I would totally recommend it! The characters felt real. They weren’t perfect and were still figuring things out. The side characters were fun and I am so excited for the books to come! Lindsey’s friends were so interesting. I hope that Pierce’s teammates also get their own books! What If We Broke the Rules is a clean inspirational romance.

Book Highlights
Hockey romance
PT FMC
Friends and found family
Learning to trust God
Faith

I received a complimentary copy

[Rebmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pierce and Lindsay’s story is a angsty slow-burn romance. He is an injured pro hockey player and she is the physical therapist assigned to his care. They don’t exactly hit it off at first, partly because of her past experience with an athlete that left her heartbroken. His determination to get to work as quick as possible, even if he isn’t fully healed, only adds to the tension between them. Gradually, they both learn to trust and respect each other, and their sessions go well.

After meeting each other, these two do some serious self-reflection, examining past relationships, their fears and doubts. They feel a connection and attraction to each other right from the first, but anything outside of their client/physical therapist relationship could damage Pierce’s reputation further and cost Lindsay her job. It doesn’t stop their feelings from deepening or Lindsay’s fear of more heartbreak growing.

When someone posts photos of them that seem to suggest they are a couple, Lindsay takes steps to distance herself from Pierce, but he refuses to allow it. Pierce has always put hockey before everything, especially personal relationships, but being around Lindsay, witnessing her commitment to her faith, her friends and her clients gives him much to ponder. He can’t be the reason she loses her career, but he desperately hopes they will have a chance at a romantic relationship after he is no longer her client.

I liked the banter between them, the change from antagonists to friends, and the growing trust and respect they found for each other. They each get to see the vulnerable side of each other, the side few others see. I also liked that Pierce was first warned by her friends and brother not to hurt Lindsay, then welcomed into the fold when they saw that he was sincere and had good intentions. Their story is compelling, resonant and inspiring. It has my full recommendation.

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure how much I'd enjoy a hockey player story. I was a bit "meh" about it. BUT (and that word should be bold) What if we Broke the Rules was about so much more than the sport. And clearly you can see that I gave it 5 stars.

While it strongly starts off with a lot of hockey lingo and information, it quickly turns to the main characters in the story! Lindsey is a physical therapist who ends up working with the the Nashville Nightcrawlers. One of their stars, Pierce Schumacher injuries himself during a game and she has to help him with rehab.

I appreciated Lindsey's professionalism and the fact that she's not wowed by the fact Pierce is famous. Piece for his part has an incredible growth arc in the story: professionally, personally, and spiritually. Lindsey, for her part, has to learn to trust, but it's a fine line for her with the professional and personal and she's not interested in crossing that line.

The story builds on the two of them working to rehab Pierce's injury. As you'd expect, Pierce is a bit cocky and all he wants is to get back on the ice. There are important games he needs to be in and he's willing to put his career on the line with his focus on the game.

Thank goodness Lindsey sees the bigger picture and does her best to convey that to him and challenge him when he overdoes it or thinks he knows better. You really feel for both characters as you read the story! Of course, there's one bad apple in the story and while I won't name the person, let's just say, they'll leave a bad taste in your mouth like it did me.

I appreciated how the romance part of their story grew. It was very sweet although a struggle at times. The faith thread is an important piece as well and is highlighted wonderfully in the story!

Thanks to the author for sending me the book for review. This is my personal opinion.

[Cathy R Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hockey is Pierce's life and he's used to pushing through pain to stay in the game - and charm normally works if all else fails. So when the team's PT insists he takes things slowly after an injury and refuses to be charmed, he's at a loss. Lindsay has been burned by sportsmen before and has no her own rules in place to stop it happening again. But as they spend more time together, she begins to see the man behind the sport star, and he comes to accept that there's more to life than hockey. Can Pierce convince Lindsay that some rules are worth breaking?

A delightful read - I loved getting to know Pierce behind his public persona and seeing him come to accept that hockey isn't everything, people matter more. I also loved the way Lindsay refused to let him get away with anything - but not because she enjoys being a tyrant, just because she wants the best for her patients. Okay, and particularly him! Pierce's dad was unpleasant to spend time with so I was glad not to see much of him, but the various members of Lindsay's friend group are great and I'm hoping to see more of them in future books in the series. A complete standalone story that's an enjoyable and inspiring read - recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Natalya · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if We Broke the Rules? is a heartfelt sports romance that delivers far more than chemistry and witty banter. Tara Grace Ericson masterfully weaves together themes of faith, identity, healing, and learning to let go of control. The characters are authentic, relatable, and their emotional growth feels genuine, making it easy to become invested in their journey.
One of my favorite moments perfectly captures the heart of the story:
“They’d won. He’d played. His ankle had held. And somewhere in the middle of all of it, he’d found something he hadn’t been looking for - faith that didn’t depend on performance, identity that wasn’t tied to stats, and the kind of trust that came from letting other people do their jobs instead of trying to control everything himself.”
That quote beautifully sums up what makes this book so special. It's not just about winning the game or finding love - it's about discovering that our worth isn't defined by achievements or performance. The message of placing your identity in something deeper than success is both encouraging and inspiring.
If you enjoy clean romance with engaging characters, meaningful faith elements, humor, and plenty of heart, this book is a wonderful read. Tara Grace Ericson has written another story that entertains while gently pointing readers toward lasting truth.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

What If We Broke The Rules is a second chance for Lindsey to find love for real.  She is a sport PT that is put in the position of working with the Nashville Nightcrawlers hockey team while her co-worker is on maternity leave.   Her first injury is Pierce who sustains a bad high ankle sprain and is put under Lindsey’s care to get him back on the ice.  He is very playful at their initial assessment but when he finds out they are not letting him back on the ice he is at a loss of what he can do to fill his time.  Pierce working with Lindsey three to four times a week makes him think she will let him back to play hockey in a couple of weeks.  She had already called him remarkable stupid because he felt his ankle give way to the injury in the first quarter but continue to play till the end of the game when it was really bad.  They started to get closer during their sessions and she started mentally pulling away by having so many rules she had put toward dating an athlete due to her past.  When their pictures are put online and calling them a couple when they were at the game it scares Lindsey.  She was required to be there in case of an injury.  He was required to be there since he was a teammate.  If Pierce thought she had rules before just wait till his next session.

[Trudy Cordle · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED Pierce and Lindsay story!! What a great beginning to this series!! Pierce and Lindsay meet when Lindsay has to take over being the PT for the Nashville Nightcrawlers when her partner goes on maternity leave. Lindsay has been burned by a sports player before, and she's not looking to get hurt by anyone again. She's built walls around her, and she doesn't intend to let anyone get through them. Pierce is used to getting his way, including playing hockey when he's hurt, as it was drilled into him by his father from the time he was seven. Now, he's finding out that if he listens to Lindsay, he'll be saving his career, and since he has no clue who he is outside of hockey, he finally decides to listen to her. He also reaches out to one of the guys on his hockey team, Caleb, to find out how he copes with things, which leads him to wanting a relationship with Jesus. Love how Pierce starts changing because of Lindsay, and also because of seeking God. There's a scene with a press conference that shows just how much Pierce changes through his weeks of therapy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.

[Tina Lowery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Tara Grace Ericson had me laughing, feeling understood and relationally exasperated as I read What if We Broke the Rules? As a Physical Therapist, Lindsay was all about rules and structure. But, after a relationship gone wrong, she kept them in order to protect her heart, reputation and her job in the industry. Pierce began as a hot headed hockey player who thought he could just suffer through it for the glory of the game. These two souls united with one goal became legendary in their focus to play the best "game" of their lives, while keeping hope alive. I loved this book, as Ericson penned a reality we all need to see and feel. Doing our best, or being our best, hinges on who we are. Are we living with faith, or without it? Is there shattered dreams or ever-present hope living within us? In Ericson's story, I didn't just see the hope, the faith and the growing certainty -- I felt it. This heart-felt story brought a few times of laughter, a few tears and a hope gone wild in terms of love. I rated this book 5 out of 5 stars and can't wait for the next book in this series!

[Marylin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you keep a list of rules in your head of how things need to be?
Well, Lindsay did because she had been hurt too many times and didn’t want to get hurt again, but those rules were getting harder to keep when she was put in a position to work with a guy who liked to push her buttons. Pierce didn’t want to sit on the sidelines. He was made to skate, and not doing anything was harder than he thought it would be. It really threw everything off.
Oh, I loved the banter and chemistry between Lindsay and Pierce. It moved this story along and brought it to life!
Tara Grace Ericson has written a fun book that starts the whole “The Heart of Nashville” series. This series has four books, each written by a different author, released one each month. The books explore the special relationships and characters of a group of friends.
I’m really looking forward to reading about all the things that tie them together, and all the fun, crazy moments in their lives.
I highly recommend this book. I'm so caught up in this story that I went out and bought the next book. Now I can't wait to start reading it! Enjoy!

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my voluntary review of a copy I was given.

I've been reading a lot of hockey stories lately. All were clean and relatively short, but none have been as satisfying as this one. This one has the added advantage of being boldly Christian.
So in addition to two young people navigating the feelings growing between them, they also deal with their own faith in Christ. Lindsay is a Christian but sometimes has to be reminded to pray before making decisions. Pierce's faith is very new and is part of his character's maturing.

I really liked this story and look forward to reading the other books in this series. These lines in particular resonated with me:
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
Lindsay’s chest tightened.
The pastor kept going, unpacking the verse, talking about fear and faith and the choice to trust God even when you couldn’t see the outcome. But Lindsay stayed stuck on that one line, turning it over in her mind like a stone she couldn’t put down.
When I am afraid.
Not if. When.

[Christie Murrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I borrowed this book on KU and it was AMAZING! I could not put it down. The characters were so well written, and gettiing to know Pierce, Lindsay, and the gang was like finding new friends. Well done, Tara!


This was excellent. The embedded storyline of grace and faith was very well done. As a rule follower, I so related to Lindsay- it's so easy to extend grace to others while struggling with receiving it. Watching both Lindsay and Pierce struggle with rules set/rules kept me turning page after page long after the lights should've been turned off.


As someone in the medical profession, I enjoyed the attention to detail with her physical therapy methods. This was also evident in the writer's focus on Pierce's skating techniques. I've never attended a hockey game in person, but love reading hockey novels. I can't wait to see how the rest of the series unfolds even though I know they'll be written by different authors.


Tara Grace Erickson sets the bar high with first book of this new series.

[Lori Hooten · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one grabbed hold right away and I read until I finished it. The fact that it started with scripture and the characters were wholesome, honest, trying-to-do-right people made this a story that I completely enjoyed. Nothing from it was slow, dragging, or boring. Pierce is a hockey player who has to deal with an injury. Lindsay is a no-nonsense physical therapist who ends up treating Pierce. They each have their own flaws and that is part of what makes them such relatable characters. Their human-ness, if I can get away with that word. Pride gets in the way of honesty, sometimes, and we see that in full effect in this story. But the truth isn't always direct and clear, either. Both characters are wholesome, desiring to be better, and to see that growth in the story is part of what makes it so, so good. You will not even notice the time flying by while you are reading this story. Pierce's determination and Lindsay's bluntness are my favorite parts. Definitely worth the time. And keep going with the series, too!

[Abigail McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

the bad news: the AC in my house was on the fritz for like 48 hours.
the good news: I got to read this absolutely precious book in the meantime.

Tara Grace Ericson remains one of my favorites in the Christian rom-com sphere, and this one was no exception. I laughed a lot, felt like crying a couple of times, and had a wonderful time watching Lindsay and Pierce fall in love. 🥹 The messages about not pushing yourself too hard felt (unfortunately) timely for me, and I'm so intrigued to see what's in store next for the Melody's gang; I think it's off to a fabulous start. 5 stars from me!

**I received a copy of this book from the author. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**

[Rhonda Sledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Author

I'm not much of a hockey fan but I'm very much a fan of this book. Tara Grace Ericson did an awesome job of weaving a story that will grab you from the very beginning. Also it was apparent that she had to do a good bit of research in order to present this story in a way that's believable. She had to be familiar with hockey in order to describe the games, penalties, series, etc. She had to be familiar with PT in order to describe Lindsay's job and concerns as well as Pierce's injury and recovery. And the fact that she knew that the steel mill was a big industry in Blytheville, Arkansas just blew me away. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series. I was gifted a book by the author but this review is purely voluntary.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story!

I love it when the men fall first! Pierce's POV and pinning was top notch and I loved following his journey of faith throughout the story too. He started out as a good man but by the end...he was a great man!

I also really loved seeing Lindsay's journey throughout the story as well. Watching her fall in love was a real treat! I loved when she finally let go and allowed Pierce's love to enrich her life.

It was really fun to have a hockey romance that was also Christian Fiction. I loved the presence of faith throughout this story and of course I loved the hockey!

I also LOVED Lindsay's group of friends! And I'm sure the rest of this series is going to be great fun!

[Denice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this sweet hockey rom-com. Pierce is a professional hockey player who gets hurt and needs PT and this is where he meets Lindsay. He thinks he should be able to get back on the ice quickly, she tells him it won’t be. As he learns to trust her and follows her plan, he realizes she is trying to help him have a long career and not be hurt again. I loved how their friendship grew as they tried to keep things professional. The way that they realized they needed help from God to find what his will is for them. The characters in this story are fantastic, the humor and banter made me laugh and next thing I knew there were some sweet and heartwarming moments. A fantastic story you want to add to your TBR list.

[Brittany Searfoss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book was like being comforted by a hot cup of tea and a soft blanket on a chilly night. I loved the characters, the setting, and the story, and even though I am not a hockey fan, I enjoyed reading about the teams, players, and staff members. I appreciated Lindsay and Pierce’s restraint, honesty, and genuine respect for each other. Their search for truth and focus on their faith was so encouraging to me. I highlighted multiple quotes that touched my heart, and I found myself tearing up a few times towards the end. I highly recommend this book and I am looking forward to reading what’s next.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book for the author. A positive review was not required, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great beginning to a new series, The Heart of Nashville series, by Tara Grace Ericson.
Heartwarming story of heartache and healing.
Pierce plays for the Nashville Nightcrawlers hockey team.
Lindsay is one of the PT’s for the team. The PR that was the team liaison went on early maternity leave causing Lindsay to take over those and many other duties. Now she has to break the news that Pierce will be on PT for several weeks and she will have to work closely with him.
Lindsay has plenty of rules. Rules are safe breaking them isn’t.
*I received this as an ARC reader and am leaving my unbiased review.

[Monique Collazo · Rating 5 out of 5]

so cute and adorable

Did I love this? Yes!
Do I love Tara’s books? Also yes!
Am I loving that this was hockey but make it Christian with principles that will remind you how awesome God is and how he works all things for good for those that love him? Yes, yes! And yes!

Adorable story. I loved it so much.
Pierce is the man we all love to love. Bad boy, turned one woman man, loves Jesus and gives Lindsey the time she needs to come to terms that she loves him. All while keeping it professional because she’s his physical therapist.
Hooked from the beginning. Amazing characters.

I’m petitioning for Tara to do a full blown hockey romance series.

[Bonnie Theel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pierce is a professional hockey player. He normally works through his injuries, but this time he couldn't.

Lindsey is the physical therapist that is working with the Nashville Nightcrawlers, since the regular PT is on maternity leave.

She takes the players injuries seriously, but he just wants to act like the injury is nothing. Once Lindsey sets him straight, his attitude changes.

This is a very enjoyable read. You won't be disappointed.

I received a free ARC, and this is my honest opinion.