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The Offside Rule
A standalone age-gap, coach’s daughter hockey romance with forbidden tension, single dad heat, and one very inconvenient shower incident.
Working with the Dallas Blaze is supposed to prove I belong in sports medicine.
Not because I’m Coach Davis’s daughter. Because I earned it.
The problem is Hunter Russell. Single dad. Captain. Tattooed, broody, and my father’s close friend.
He’s nine years older, completely off-limits and way too good at pretending he doesn’t want me.
Too bad I’m done pretending I don’t want him.
Getting involved with Hunter could ruin my future with the team.
Sneaking around with him could ruin a whole lot more.
But the more he touches me behind closed doors, the less it feels like a mistake. And the more I want the one thing he’s too scared to give me.
All of him.
Working with the Dallas Blaze is supposed to prove I belong in sports medicine.
Not because I’m Coach Davis’s daughter. Because I earned it.
The problem is Hunter Russell. Single dad. Captain. Tattooed, broody, and my father’s close friend.
He’s nine years older, completely off-limits and way too good at pretending he doesn’t want me.
Too bad I’m done pretending I don’t want him.
Getting involved with Hunter could ruin my future with the team.
Sneaking around with him could ruin a whole lot more.
But the more he touches me behind closed doors, the less it feels like a mistake. And the more I want the one thing he’s too scared to give me.
All of him.
390 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 29, 2026
About the author
R.C. Stephens
46 books1,453 followersR.C. Stephens writes emotional, addictive sports and small-town romances featuring big-hearted heroes and strong, unforgettable heroines. Her stories are filled with charm, chemistry, and the kind of love that’s worth the risk and always leads to a deeply satisfying happily ever after.
A Top 100 Amazon bestselling author, she’s known for crafting swoon-worthy romances that blend humor, heat, and heartfelt emotion.
When she’s not writing, she’s spending time with her three kids, sneaking coffee dates with her husband, or working late into the night with her loyal golden-doodle by her side. A proud Toronto native, she finds inspiration in cozy winters, vibrant autumns, and the first promise of spring.
Keep up with R.C. by signing up to her newsletter-http://rcstephens.com/newsletter/
Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rc.stephens.8/
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rc_stephens...
A Top 100 Amazon bestselling author, she’s known for crafting swoon-worthy romances that blend humor, heat, and heartfelt emotion.
When she’s not writing, she’s spending time with her three kids, sneaking coffee dates with her husband, or working late into the night with her loyal golden-doodle by her side. A proud Toronto native, she finds inspiration in cozy winters, vibrant autumns, and the first promise of spring.
Keep up with R.C. by signing up to her newsletter-http://rcstephens.com/newsletter/
Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rc.stephens.8/
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rc_stephens...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
July 29, 2026
5🌟, 3🌶️
This was one of those romances that completely swept me away.
I completely fell for Hunter and Catherine’s story. The forbidden romance, slow burn, age gap, and hockey setting were already a winning combination, but it was the emotional connection between them that made this one so hard to put down. Every stolen glance, every secret moment, and every bit of unresolved tension had me completely invested.
Hunter was such a wonderful hero. Beneath his broody, protective exterior was a devoted father carrying the weight of past heartbreak, while Catherine’s confidence and determination made her impossible not to root for. I loved how she never let anyone define her as simply the coach’s daughter, and the way they slowly helped each other trust again made their relationship feel just as heartfelt as it was incredibly swoony. Their chemistry was absolutely electric.
This story had the perfect balance of emotion, romance, family, and spice. The supporting characters added so much warmth, the hockey backdrop was a lot of fun, and I finished feeling completely attached to this world.
If this is only the beginning of the series, I already know I’ll be coming back for every single book.
~~~~
Huge thank you to R.C. Stephens and The Author Agency for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
This was one of those romances that completely swept me away.
I completely fell for Hunter and Catherine’s story. The forbidden romance, slow burn, age gap, and hockey setting were already a winning combination, but it was the emotional connection between them that made this one so hard to put down. Every stolen glance, every secret moment, and every bit of unresolved tension had me completely invested.
Hunter was such a wonderful hero. Beneath his broody, protective exterior was a devoted father carrying the weight of past heartbreak, while Catherine’s confidence and determination made her impossible not to root for. I loved how she never let anyone define her as simply the coach’s daughter, and the way they slowly helped each other trust again made their relationship feel just as heartfelt as it was incredibly swoony. Their chemistry was absolutely electric.
This story had the perfect balance of emotion, romance, family, and spice. The supporting characters added so much warmth, the hockey backdrop was a lot of fun, and I finished feeling completely attached to this world.
If this is only the beginning of the series, I already know I’ll be coming back for every single book.
~~~~
Huge thank you to R.C. Stephens and The Author Agency for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
July 22, 2026
The Offside Rule is everything you love in a forbidden, age gap, hockey romance and more. Hunter and Catherine story had me smiling from the very beginning.
Catherine Celia “CC” Davis is working very hard to be a doctor in sport medicine and show everyone she got it all on her merits. When she gets a internship with her fathers team she has a lot to prove. She is back home after heartbreak and she just wants to be a normal 24 year old woman. When she comes faces to faces with the man she had crushed for years everything changes. She is feeling things she thought weren’t there. The guy in question happens to be captain of her father team.
Hunter Russell is captain of the Dallas Blaze, single father and his world is his adorable 10 year old daughter. He himself has his fair share of betrayal. And he has to learn how to trust again. He has a great support system with family and friends. Those friends happens be his coach and wife. They’ve helped him from the very beginning to help raise his daughter. As well as their adult daughter Catherine. And now her being back home is bringing out feelings he should not be allowed.
When an incident happens between Catherine and Hunter you see a pull between these two. They start sneaking around everyone. The connections they share is electric. Only problem is they don’t want to risk disappointing the people they care about. They both have a lot to lose. You’ll see all the obstacles they’ll face to be with one another. This story had it all you love and the chemistry was off the charts. I just loved everything in this incredible story. The ending was absolutely phenomenal and I can’t wait to see what more is in store for this series.
Arc provided for honest review.
Catherine Celia “CC” Davis is working very hard to be a doctor in sport medicine and show everyone she got it all on her merits. When she gets a internship with her fathers team she has a lot to prove. She is back home after heartbreak and she just wants to be a normal 24 year old woman. When she comes faces to faces with the man she had crushed for years everything changes. She is feeling things she thought weren’t there. The guy in question happens to be captain of her father team.
Hunter Russell is captain of the Dallas Blaze, single father and his world is his adorable 10 year old daughter. He himself has his fair share of betrayal. And he has to learn how to trust again. He has a great support system with family and friends. Those friends happens be his coach and wife. They’ve helped him from the very beginning to help raise his daughter. As well as their adult daughter Catherine. And now her being back home is bringing out feelings he should not be allowed.
When an incident happens between Catherine and Hunter you see a pull between these two. They start sneaking around everyone. The connections they share is electric. Only problem is they don’t want to risk disappointing the people they care about. They both have a lot to lose. You’ll see all the obstacles they’ll face to be with one another. This story had it all you love and the chemistry was off the charts. I just loved everything in this incredible story. The ending was absolutely phenomenal and I can’t wait to see what more is in store for this series.
Arc provided for honest review.
July 29, 2026
This was an easy read, I loved the story and its characters. If you love a good hockey romance with age gap and a bit forbidden. Take a look at Offsides Rule.
Catherine has worked hard to become a sports medicine doctor. She earned her job as an intern with her father’s team. But others still want her to prove it. She has recently returned home with a broken heart and just wants to be CC for a bit. Crossing paths with her crush of many years, reigniting feelings she thought were buried, was not in her plans. Her crush? Captain of her father’s team.
Hunter Russell, captain of the Dallas Blaze hockey team, single dad, and keeps his trusted circle small. Among those are his coach and his wife. Their daughter Catherine is also there, but he is having feelings towards her that are more than friendly.
The attraction leads to chemistry, secrets, and the choice of person happiness over hurting loved ones. This story is well balanced, the romance is steamy, and the story and its characters are relatable. It is laced with humor, the children bring the most.
I am looking forward to more from this series.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Catherine has worked hard to become a sports medicine doctor. She earned her job as an intern with her father’s team. But others still want her to prove it. She has recently returned home with a broken heart and just wants to be CC for a bit. Crossing paths with her crush of many years, reigniting feelings she thought were buried, was not in her plans. Her crush? Captain of her father’s team.
Hunter Russell, captain of the Dallas Blaze hockey team, single dad, and keeps his trusted circle small. Among those are his coach and his wife. Their daughter Catherine is also there, but he is having feelings towards her that are more than friendly.
The attraction leads to chemistry, secrets, and the choice of person happiness over hurting loved ones. This story is well balanced, the romance is steamy, and the story and its characters are relatable. It is laced with humor, the children bring the most.
I am looking forward to more from this series.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
July 29, 2026
This is the first book in a new series, and what a fantastic beginning Hunter and Catherine’s story is!
Hunter is captain of the Dallas Blaze hockey team, and he is a broody, tattooed, single dad, while Catherine has worked hard to become a sports medicine doctor, and she earns her place as an intern for her dad’s team. Catherine has secretly crushed on Hunter for years, but he is also her dad’s best friend.
This is a well written easy to read, slow burn story, with found family, friendships, emotions, tension, secrets, forbidden romance, close proximity, trust, grumpy / sunshine, opposites attract, humour, witty banter, and undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining and heartwarming addictive page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
Hunter is captain of the Dallas Blaze hockey team, and he is a broody, tattooed, single dad, while Catherine has worked hard to become a sports medicine doctor, and she earns her place as an intern for her dad’s team. Catherine has secretly crushed on Hunter for years, but he is also her dad’s best friend.
This is a well written easy to read, slow burn story, with found family, friendships, emotions, tension, secrets, forbidden romance, close proximity, trust, grumpy / sunshine, opposites attract, humour, witty banter, and undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining and heartwarming addictive page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
August 6, 2026
A broody hockey captain, his coach’s daughter, an age gap, and a relationship that is clearly a terrible idea.
Naturally, I was invested immediately.
Catherine is determined to prove she earned her place with the Dallas Blaze, while Hunter is equally determined to pretend the chemistry between them does not exist. This goes about as well as expected.
I loved Catherine’s determination, Hunter’s softer side, and all the stolen moments and terrible decisions in between.
The Offside Rule was fun, steamy, and completely addictive. I cannot wait to see which Dallas Blaze player loses all common sense in book two.
Thank you to The Author Agency for the ARC
Naturally, I was invested immediately.
Catherine is determined to prove she earned her place with the Dallas Blaze, while Hunter is equally determined to pretend the chemistry between them does not exist. This goes about as well as expected.
I loved Catherine’s determination, Hunter’s softer side, and all the stolen moments and terrible decisions in between.
The Offside Rule was fun, steamy, and completely addictive. I cannot wait to see which Dallas Blaze player loses all common sense in book two.
Thank you to The Author Agency for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Author
🏒 Hockey Romance
🔥 Age Gap
🚫 Forbidden Romance
👨👧 Single Dad
👔 Coach’s Daughter
🩺 Sports Medicine Heroine
🤫 Secret Relationship
💞 Father’s Best Friend
🛡️ Protective Hero
🖤 Broody Hero
💋 Explosive Chemistry
🚿 Inconvenient Shower Incident
🌶️ Spicy Romance
✨ Happily Ever After
Star: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Offside Rule is a fun, forbidden, and seriously steamy start to R.C. Stephens’ Dallas Blaze series. With an age gap, a broody hockey captain, a determined sports medicine heroine, and enough forbidden tension to keep the pages turning, Hunter and Catherine’s story was an addictive read from beginning to end.
Catherine is determined to prove that she has earned her position with the Dallas Blaze. She does not want anyone believing she was handed the opportunity simply because she is Coach Davis’s daughter. She is passionate, hardworking, and ready to build a career in sports medicine on her own merit. I really liked her determination and the way she refused to let her father’s reputation define her.
Unfortunately, working with the team also places her directly in Hunter Russell’s path.
Hunter is the tattooed, broody captain of the Dallas Blaze, a devoted single father, and one of her father’s close friends. He is nine years older, completely off-limits, and very aware of everything they could both lose if they crossed that line. He tries to keep his distance, but the attraction between them is far too strong to ignore.
The chemistry between Hunter and Catherine was immediate, intense, and filled with delicious tension. They both know becoming involved is a terrible idea, but every stolen glance and private moment makes staying away from each other more difficult. The secrecy added an extra layer of excitement to their relationship, especially with Catherine’s father being Hunter’s coach and friend.
Hunter has that protective, possessive energy that makes a hockey romance hero so easy to fall for. Beneath the tough captain exterior is a man who carries a lot of responsibility. He is devoted to his daughter and cautious about allowing anyone into their lives. His hesitation is not because he does not want Catherine, but because he is afraid of the consequences and of giving her something he may not be able to take back.
I also loved seeing Catherine challenge him. She refuses to let Hunter make every decision for them or hide behind their age difference. She knows what she wants, and she is not afraid to push him to admit that what is happening between them is more than a temporary mistake.
Their relationship delivers plenty of heat, but there are also emotional moments as Hunter struggles with his fears and Catherine fights to be taken seriously in her career. The single dad element added a softer side to Hunter and helped make their connection feel like it was developing into something deeper than physical attraction.
The Offside Rule combines forbidden romance, hockey action, secrecy, emotional vulnerability, and plenty of spice. Hunter and Catherine’s relationship is complicated, risky, and impossible for either of them to resist. This was an entertaining beginning to the Dallas Blaze series, and I am excited to see which player falls next.
🔥 Age Gap
🚫 Forbidden Romance
👨👧 Single Dad
👔 Coach’s Daughter
🩺 Sports Medicine Heroine
🤫 Secret Relationship
💞 Father’s Best Friend
🛡️ Protective Hero
🖤 Broody Hero
💋 Explosive Chemistry
🚿 Inconvenient Shower Incident
🌶️ Spicy Romance
✨ Happily Ever After
Star: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Offside Rule is a fun, forbidden, and seriously steamy start to R.C. Stephens’ Dallas Blaze series. With an age gap, a broody hockey captain, a determined sports medicine heroine, and enough forbidden tension to keep the pages turning, Hunter and Catherine’s story was an addictive read from beginning to end.
Catherine is determined to prove that she has earned her position with the Dallas Blaze. She does not want anyone believing she was handed the opportunity simply because she is Coach Davis’s daughter. She is passionate, hardworking, and ready to build a career in sports medicine on her own merit. I really liked her determination and the way she refused to let her father’s reputation define her.
Unfortunately, working with the team also places her directly in Hunter Russell’s path.
Hunter is the tattooed, broody captain of the Dallas Blaze, a devoted single father, and one of her father’s close friends. He is nine years older, completely off-limits, and very aware of everything they could both lose if they crossed that line. He tries to keep his distance, but the attraction between them is far too strong to ignore.
The chemistry between Hunter and Catherine was immediate, intense, and filled with delicious tension. They both know becoming involved is a terrible idea, but every stolen glance and private moment makes staying away from each other more difficult. The secrecy added an extra layer of excitement to their relationship, especially with Catherine’s father being Hunter’s coach and friend.
Hunter has that protective, possessive energy that makes a hockey romance hero so easy to fall for. Beneath the tough captain exterior is a man who carries a lot of responsibility. He is devoted to his daughter and cautious about allowing anyone into their lives. His hesitation is not because he does not want Catherine, but because he is afraid of the consequences and of giving her something he may not be able to take back.
I also loved seeing Catherine challenge him. She refuses to let Hunter make every decision for them or hide behind their age difference. She knows what she wants, and she is not afraid to push him to admit that what is happening between them is more than a temporary mistake.
Their relationship delivers plenty of heat, but there are also emotional moments as Hunter struggles with his fears and Catherine fights to be taken seriously in her career. The single dad element added a softer side to Hunter and helped make their connection feel like it was developing into something deeper than physical attraction.
The Offside Rule combines forbidden romance, hockey action, secrecy, emotional vulnerability, and plenty of spice. Hunter and Catherine’s relationship is complicated, risky, and impossible for either of them to resist. This was an entertaining beginning to the Dallas Blaze series, and I am excited to see which player falls next.
August 11, 2026
🏒❤️ Off-Limits Has Never Looked This Good ❤️🏒
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️
The Offside Rule was one of those romances that completely swept me away. Give me forbidden romance, an age gap, hockey, a single dad, AND the coach's daughter, and I'm already interested. But Hunter and Catherine's emotional connection is what turned this into a five-star read for me.
Catherine "CC" Davis is determined to build a career in sports medicine based on her own accomplishments, not because she's Coach Davis's daughter. After returning home with a broken heart, the last thing she needs is to start noticing the man she's had a crush on for years in an entirely different way. Especially when that man is Hunter Russell, captain of her father's hockey team, her dad's close friend, and someone who is very firmly supposed to be off-limits.
Hunter was such a wonderful surprise. He's tattooed, broody, protective, and a devoted single dad to his ten-year-old daughter, but underneath all of that is a man who has been deeply hurt and doesn't easily trust anymore. His relationship with Catherine's family makes his feelings for her even more complicated because he isn't only risking his career or his friendship with her father. These are people who have become part of his family.
And the tension between these two? SO GOOD. 🔥
I loved the slow build of stolen glances, secret moments, lingering touches, and all those times they knew they should step away from each other but didn't really want to. Catherine knows what she wants, and I loved that confidence in her. Meanwhile, watching Hunter slowly lose the battle against everything he feels for her was incredibly satisfying.
But what really made me love them was that their relationship became about so much more than attraction. Both Catherine and Hunter know what it feels like to have their trust broken. Little by little, they begin giving each other pieces of themselves they'd been afraid to hand over to anyone else. They didn't simply fall for each other. They created a place where they could both begin trusting again, and that gave all the forbidden chemistry so much more emotional weight.
I also loved Hunter as a father and how naturally family was woven throughout the story. The supporting characters brought so much warmth and humor, while the hockey setting gave me all the sports-romance goodness I wanted. And sneaking around definitely created some entertaining situations when their lives were already so intertwined. 🤭
This had such a great balance of romance, family, emotion, spice, and hockey. Hunter and Catherine gave me the swoony moments and forbidden tension I expected, but they also gave me a relationship I genuinely became invested in. By the end, I wasn't ready to leave the Dallas Blaze behind.
If The Offside Rule is only the beginning of this world, consider me officially invested because I will absolutely be coming back for more. 🏒❤️
Thank you so much to R.C. Stephens and The Author Agency for the gifted advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️
The Offside Rule was one of those romances that completely swept me away. Give me forbidden romance, an age gap, hockey, a single dad, AND the coach's daughter, and I'm already interested. But Hunter and Catherine's emotional connection is what turned this into a five-star read for me.
Catherine "CC" Davis is determined to build a career in sports medicine based on her own accomplishments, not because she's Coach Davis's daughter. After returning home with a broken heart, the last thing she needs is to start noticing the man she's had a crush on for years in an entirely different way. Especially when that man is Hunter Russell, captain of her father's hockey team, her dad's close friend, and someone who is very firmly supposed to be off-limits.
Hunter was such a wonderful surprise. He's tattooed, broody, protective, and a devoted single dad to his ten-year-old daughter, but underneath all of that is a man who has been deeply hurt and doesn't easily trust anymore. His relationship with Catherine's family makes his feelings for her even more complicated because he isn't only risking his career or his friendship with her father. These are people who have become part of his family.
And the tension between these two? SO GOOD. 🔥
I loved the slow build of stolen glances, secret moments, lingering touches, and all those times they knew they should step away from each other but didn't really want to. Catherine knows what she wants, and I loved that confidence in her. Meanwhile, watching Hunter slowly lose the battle against everything he feels for her was incredibly satisfying.
But what really made me love them was that their relationship became about so much more than attraction. Both Catherine and Hunter know what it feels like to have their trust broken. Little by little, they begin giving each other pieces of themselves they'd been afraid to hand over to anyone else. They didn't simply fall for each other. They created a place where they could both begin trusting again, and that gave all the forbidden chemistry so much more emotional weight.
I also loved Hunter as a father and how naturally family was woven throughout the story. The supporting characters brought so much warmth and humor, while the hockey setting gave me all the sports-romance goodness I wanted. And sneaking around definitely created some entertaining situations when their lives were already so intertwined. 🤭
This had such a great balance of romance, family, emotion, spice, and hockey. Hunter and Catherine gave me the swoony moments and forbidden tension I expected, but they also gave me a relationship I genuinely became invested in. By the end, I wasn't ready to leave the Dallas Blaze behind.
If The Offside Rule is only the beginning of this world, consider me officially invested because I will absolutely be coming back for more. 🏒❤️
Thank you so much to R.C. Stephens and The Author Agency for the gifted advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 29, 2026
I was absolutely swept up in Catherine Celia “CC” and Hunter’s forbidden romance! The slow burn tension kept me flipping pages to see how their relationship would unfold. It was sweet and oh so spicy!
The Offside Rule is a slow burn hockey romance that’s sweet, charged, and full of that addictive “finally” tension. Made even better by the fact that Catherine has always had a crush on Hunter and she’s the one who initiated the “screw it” moment between them.
CC is the coach’s daughter, and a medical intern still healing from being cheated on. That betrayal didn’t just hurt, it rewired her trust, made her cautious, made her crave something real. Hunter has always been the one man who felt too real. She’s had a crush on him for years, long before she ever admitted it to herself that it could actually go somewhere. He’s the team captain, a single dad, steady and loyal, and practically part of her family. His daughter is best friends with Catherine’s little sister, he’s at their house constantly, and he’s been close with her parents forever.
Hunter doesn’t do relationships anymore, not after his ex left him wary and closed off. He’s convinced he’s better off keeping his heart locked down. Which makes the growing pull between them even more intense. Catherine’s long‑held crush turns into something deeper, heavier, impossible to ignore. And Hunter, who’s now sees her as a woman, not the young girl he remembers, he starts noticing everything: the way she looks at him, the way she listens, the way she’s always been there for him and his daughter.
The tension between Catherine and Hunter is delicious. Between the lingering eye contact, conversations that feel too intimate, moments where they stand too close and neither steps back. There’s lots of sneaking around because acknowledging what’s happening would mean admitting how much they want it. And how much they’re afraid of it. It could cost her reputation and him the family he found through hockey.
When they finally let themselves lean in, it’s not just attraction. It’s healing. Catherine’s heartbreak softens under Hunter’s steady presence. Hunter’s guardedness cracks open with Catherine’s warmth. They don’t just fall for each other, they mend the broken pieces someone else left behind.
“We were learning each other piece by piece. Hunter wasn’t just taking what I offered. He was letting me have pieces of him too.”
I really loved this sweet, spicy, slow burn romance where the crush becomes the connection, the tension becomes the spark, and two people who never thought they’d trust again find exactly what they needed in each other.
A huge thank you to RC Stephens & The Author Agency for the early copy!
The Offside Rule is a slow burn hockey romance that’s sweet, charged, and full of that addictive “finally” tension. Made even better by the fact that Catherine has always had a crush on Hunter and she’s the one who initiated the “screw it” moment between them.
CC is the coach’s daughter, and a medical intern still healing from being cheated on. That betrayal didn’t just hurt, it rewired her trust, made her cautious, made her crave something real. Hunter has always been the one man who felt too real. She’s had a crush on him for years, long before she ever admitted it to herself that it could actually go somewhere. He’s the team captain, a single dad, steady and loyal, and practically part of her family. His daughter is best friends with Catherine’s little sister, he’s at their house constantly, and he’s been close with her parents forever.
Hunter doesn’t do relationships anymore, not after his ex left him wary and closed off. He’s convinced he’s better off keeping his heart locked down. Which makes the growing pull between them even more intense. Catherine’s long‑held crush turns into something deeper, heavier, impossible to ignore. And Hunter, who’s now sees her as a woman, not the young girl he remembers, he starts noticing everything: the way she looks at him, the way she listens, the way she’s always been there for him and his daughter.
The tension between Catherine and Hunter is delicious. Between the lingering eye contact, conversations that feel too intimate, moments where they stand too close and neither steps back. There’s lots of sneaking around because acknowledging what’s happening would mean admitting how much they want it. And how much they’re afraid of it. It could cost her reputation and him the family he found through hockey.
When they finally let themselves lean in, it’s not just attraction. It’s healing. Catherine’s heartbreak softens under Hunter’s steady presence. Hunter’s guardedness cracks open with Catherine’s warmth. They don’t just fall for each other, they mend the broken pieces someone else left behind.
“We were learning each other piece by piece. Hunter wasn’t just taking what I offered. He was letting me have pieces of him too.”
I really loved this sweet, spicy, slow burn romance where the crush becomes the connection, the tension becomes the spark, and two people who never thought they’d trust again find exactly what they needed in each other.
A huge thank you to RC Stephens & The Author Agency for the early copy!
Review of advance copy
The Offside Rule begins with CC (Catherine Celia) Davis moving back to Dallas with her parents after having her heart broken. She majored in sports medicine and applied for an internship with the local pro hockey team that her father coaches and is determined to show everyone she has what it takes to be a doctor (following in her mother’s footsteps) and didn’t get the job because of who she is related to. CC has been around hockey her entire life, her father having been a professional hockey player who transitioned to coaching. She has two younger siblings, Mila and Jaden, whom she has missed since she has been in college, and wants to spend time with them before medical school starts.
Mila’s best friend, Isla, is the daughter of Hunter Russell, who happens to be the captain of Dallas team. Hunter also happens to be someone CC has had a crush on most of her life. Isla loves spending time with CC and Mila and their entire family. Hunter has made it his life’s mission to make sure that Isla knows that she will always come first with him and he has done an excellent job of that.
CC goes to a pool party at her parents’ ranch and does not expect seeing Hunter to have the effect on her that it does. After her heartbreak, the last thing she thought she wanted was another man, let alone someone who is older and a good friend of her father’s. She has been told her whole life that being in a relationship with a professional sports star is hard and she deserves better. She never expected that Hunter finding her in a compromising position in the pool house would change both of their lives forever.
As both navigate their growing feelings for each other, with Hunter fighting it at every turn and CC wanting to keep it a secret, they end up hurting each other without either of them understanding why. Thankfully, they figured it out.
The Offside Rule is a nicely written story that pulls you in on the very first page. CC is a woman on a mission and will not stop trying to get what her heart wants. Hunter’s backstory is heartbreaking and makes you understand why he made the decisions he made. Do you agree with some of those decisions when it comes to CC? No. But when he figures out what he wants, you root for them both. Their chemistry is off the charts! The secondary characters are beautifully written and leave you wanting their stories too. I loved CC’s father and mother and their reactions when they discover what is going on. The teammates and extended family are overwhelming in the absolute best way. Well done, R.C. Stephens! Very, very well done!
Mila’s best friend, Isla, is the daughter of Hunter Russell, who happens to be the captain of Dallas team. Hunter also happens to be someone CC has had a crush on most of her life. Isla loves spending time with CC and Mila and their entire family. Hunter has made it his life’s mission to make sure that Isla knows that she will always come first with him and he has done an excellent job of that.
CC goes to a pool party at her parents’ ranch and does not expect seeing Hunter to have the effect on her that it does. After her heartbreak, the last thing she thought she wanted was another man, let alone someone who is older and a good friend of her father’s. She has been told her whole life that being in a relationship with a professional sports star is hard and she deserves better. She never expected that Hunter finding her in a compromising position in the pool house would change both of their lives forever.
As both navigate their growing feelings for each other, with Hunter fighting it at every turn and CC wanting to keep it a secret, they end up hurting each other without either of them understanding why. Thankfully, they figured it out.
The Offside Rule is a nicely written story that pulls you in on the very first page. CC is a woman on a mission and will not stop trying to get what her heart wants. Hunter’s backstory is heartbreaking and makes you understand why he made the decisions he made. Do you agree with some of those decisions when it comes to CC? No. But when he figures out what he wants, you root for them both. Their chemistry is off the charts! The secondary characters are beautifully written and leave you wanting their stories too. I loved CC’s father and mother and their reactions when they discover what is going on. The teammates and extended family are overwhelming in the absolute best way. Well done, R.C. Stephens! Very, very well done!
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
Have you ever looked at someone you have known for years but never really knew them. Hunter and Catherine have known each other for years with their families being close. With Hunter being a single dad, his teammates, coaches, and their families rallied around him to help him with his,daughter during the season. Catherine would babysit occasionally and loved his daughter like a little sister. Her own sister and Hunter's daughter were best friends. After Catherine left for University, Hunter rarely saw Catherine until she returned to finish medical school.
Hunter was a veteran hockey player who was also captain of his team. He worked hard and expected the best from himself and his teammates. He led by example and didn't want to create drama or cause problems for the team. His first priority was his daughter but his career was a close second. He didn't date even though his daughter wanted a mother. His parents encouraged it as well but he didn't want to settle for just anyone. He had been used before and was hurt badly so he guarded his heart like a goalie guards the net.
Catherine was the eldest daughter of a retired NHL player turned coach and a doctor. She was born while they were both young with very demanding careers. She learned to get independent from a young age even though she had two loving parents. Here younger siblings were born after the careers stabilized. She grew up fast and was what some call an old soul being more mature for her age. She wanted to follow in her mother's footsteps as a doctor but planned on specializing in sports medicine having grown up with athletes and their injuries. She had a crush on Hunter when younger but had just gotten out of a bad relationship. Her boyfriend had cheated and acted like it was nothing.
When Hunter and Catherine met after years apart the chemistry between them was instantaneous. Hunter couldn't take his eyes off the gorgeous girl until he realized who she was. Catherine realized that Hunter aged like fine wine and her crush was rekindled. Both knew that nothing could happen between them because of their families and the team. They tried to fight the attraction but it was harder than they thought. They were both adults and decided to give in but quietly and in secret. They didn't want to create chaos in their lives but their hearts got involved. They didn't want to hide their feelings or relationship so they needed to face their families and the team. Their happiness and what they were building together was becoming their priority. They were going to fight for each other while thriving in their careers.
I loved Hunter and Catherine because even though they had been hurt in the past and had closed themselves off from love they stopped denying themselves a life together. They knew that it wouldn't be easy and that they would face challenges from external forces but that the love they shared was worth it. I loved that even though they are both career driven and knew that their relationship could impact their careers they still chose love!
Thank you R.C Stephens and The Author Agency for the ARC and the opportunity to review this amazing book!
Hunter was a veteran hockey player who was also captain of his team. He worked hard and expected the best from himself and his teammates. He led by example and didn't want to create drama or cause problems for the team. His first priority was his daughter but his career was a close second. He didn't date even though his daughter wanted a mother. His parents encouraged it as well but he didn't want to settle for just anyone. He had been used before and was hurt badly so he guarded his heart like a goalie guards the net.
Catherine was the eldest daughter of a retired NHL player turned coach and a doctor. She was born while they were both young with very demanding careers. She learned to get independent from a young age even though she had two loving parents. Here younger siblings were born after the careers stabilized. She grew up fast and was what some call an old soul being more mature for her age. She wanted to follow in her mother's footsteps as a doctor but planned on specializing in sports medicine having grown up with athletes and their injuries. She had a crush on Hunter when younger but had just gotten out of a bad relationship. Her boyfriend had cheated and acted like it was nothing.
When Hunter and Catherine met after years apart the chemistry between them was instantaneous. Hunter couldn't take his eyes off the gorgeous girl until he realized who she was. Catherine realized that Hunter aged like fine wine and her crush was rekindled. Both knew that nothing could happen between them because of their families and the team. They tried to fight the attraction but it was harder than they thought. They were both adults and decided to give in but quietly and in secret. They didn't want to create chaos in their lives but their hearts got involved. They didn't want to hide their feelings or relationship so they needed to face their families and the team. Their happiness and what they were building together was becoming their priority. They were going to fight for each other while thriving in their careers.
I loved Hunter and Catherine because even though they had been hurt in the past and had closed themselves off from love they stopped denying themselves a life together. They knew that it wouldn't be easy and that they would face challenges from external forces but that the love they shared was worth it. I loved that even though they are both career driven and knew that their relationship could impact their careers they still chose love!
Thank you R.C Stephens and The Author Agency for the ARC and the opportunity to review this amazing book!
August 1, 2026
⭐️3
Thank you to The Author Agency for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Going into this book, I honestly thought it had everything I love. Forbidden romance, a single dad, an age gap, and it was the perfect combination. I just had such high expectations because I just thought I would love this, but unfortunately, I struggled to connect with the story.
This book had so much potential for me, but my biggest issue for me was Catherine. I wasn’t able to relate to her so it made it hard to become emotionally invested in her character. This is completely personal, but I also couldn’t get behind everyone calling her CC. I know that’s me being incredibly nitpicky, but it just wasn’t a nickname I liked, and it kept pulling me out of the story.
I also found myself very frustrated by the constant push and pull between Hunter and Catherine. I feel Catherine and Hunter spent such a large portion of the book having the exact same conversation over and over again about why they couldn’t be together, and it just got really repetitive. While I completely understood Hunter’s hesitation because of his friendship with Catherine’s father, I never fully understood why Catherine was so hesitant, since her parents were really supportive throughout the whole book.
By the time they finally got together, it felt like we had already spent almost half the book watching the same conflict repeat itself. Then, just when I thought we were moving forward, another breakup happened. At that point, I was honestly more annoyed because I felt like better communication could have solved so much of the conflict.
This was also my first R.C. Stephens book, and I didn’t realize that this was part of a second gen series. While I was still able to follow the main story, there were also so many characters and I felt like I was missing important information.
That said, there were also things I enjoyed. I absolutely loved the friend group and all of the side characters, and they’re the main reason I’m interested in continuing the series.
Overall, this was still an enjoyable read, but there were some things that did bother me, but I am still going to continue this series.
Thank you to The Author Agency for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Going into this book, I honestly thought it had everything I love. Forbidden romance, a single dad, an age gap, and it was the perfect combination. I just had such high expectations because I just thought I would love this, but unfortunately, I struggled to connect with the story.
This book had so much potential for me, but my biggest issue for me was Catherine. I wasn’t able to relate to her so it made it hard to become emotionally invested in her character. This is completely personal, but I also couldn’t get behind everyone calling her CC. I know that’s me being incredibly nitpicky, but it just wasn’t a nickname I liked, and it kept pulling me out of the story.
I also found myself very frustrated by the constant push and pull between Hunter and Catherine. I feel Catherine and Hunter spent such a large portion of the book having the exact same conversation over and over again about why they couldn’t be together, and it just got really repetitive. While I completely understood Hunter’s hesitation because of his friendship with Catherine’s father, I never fully understood why Catherine was so hesitant, since her parents were really supportive throughout the whole book.
By the time they finally got together, it felt like we had already spent almost half the book watching the same conflict repeat itself. Then, just when I thought we were moving forward, another breakup happened. At that point, I was honestly more annoyed because I felt like better communication could have solved so much of the conflict.
This was also my first R.C. Stephens book, and I didn’t realize that this was part of a second gen series. While I was still able to follow the main story, there were also so many characters and I felt like I was missing important information.
That said, there were also things I enjoyed. I absolutely loved the friend group and all of the side characters, and they’re the main reason I’m interested in continuing the series.
Overall, this was still an enjoyable read, but there were some things that did bother me, but I am still going to continue this series.
Review of advance copy
R.C. Stephens delivers another emotional, chemistry-filled romance with The Offside Rule, blending forbidden love, family, heart, and plenty of swoon-worthy moments.
Hunter has spent the last ten years focused on two things, captaining his hockey team and raising his daughter, Ilsa. Since becoming a single father, relationships have taken a backseat, with only the occasional one-night stand while on the road. His daughter has always been, and always will be, his greatest priority.
Catherine has just returned home after college. At twenty-four, she's no longer the teenager who used to babysit Ilsa or the seventeen-year-old with an innocent crush on Hunter. She's confident, determined, and pursuing her dream of becoming a sports medicine physician. When she lands a summer elective with Hunter's hockey team, the attraction they've both tried to ignore suddenly becomes impossible to resist.
Their relationship is far from simple. Hunter's coach is also Catherine's father, their families are incredibly close, they live in the same building, and Hunter is constantly joining them for family dinners. With so many obstacles standing between them, keeping their growing feelings hidden becomes increasingly difficult.
I loved Catherine's confidence. She knows exactly what she wants and isn't afraid to pursue it, while Hunter constantly battles between following his heart and protecting the people he loves. Their chemistry is electric, the tension is palpable, and every secret meeting had me rooting for them even more.
While the romance is undeniably steamy, this story is also filled with heart. Watching Hunter balance fatherhood with his own chance at happiness was beautiful, and Ilsa, Mila, and the other children brought plenty of humor and light-hearted moments that perfectly balanced the emotional depth of the story.
If you enjoy forbidden romance, age-gap relationships, single dad heroes, hockey romance, and characters who have to fight for their happily ever after, The Offside Rule is one I highly recommend.
Hunter has spent the last ten years focused on two things, captaining his hockey team and raising his daughter, Ilsa. Since becoming a single father, relationships have taken a backseat, with only the occasional one-night stand while on the road. His daughter has always been, and always will be, his greatest priority.
Catherine has just returned home after college. At twenty-four, she's no longer the teenager who used to babysit Ilsa or the seventeen-year-old with an innocent crush on Hunter. She's confident, determined, and pursuing her dream of becoming a sports medicine physician. When she lands a summer elective with Hunter's hockey team, the attraction they've both tried to ignore suddenly becomes impossible to resist.
Their relationship is far from simple. Hunter's coach is also Catherine's father, their families are incredibly close, they live in the same building, and Hunter is constantly joining them for family dinners. With so many obstacles standing between them, keeping their growing feelings hidden becomes increasingly difficult.
I loved Catherine's confidence. She knows exactly what she wants and isn't afraid to pursue it, while Hunter constantly battles between following his heart and protecting the people he loves. Their chemistry is electric, the tension is palpable, and every secret meeting had me rooting for them even more.
While the romance is undeniably steamy, this story is also filled with heart. Watching Hunter balance fatherhood with his own chance at happiness was beautiful, and Ilsa, Mila, and the other children brought plenty of humor and light-hearted moments that perfectly balanced the emotional depth of the story.
If you enjoy forbidden romance, age-gap relationships, single dad heroes, hockey romance, and characters who have to fight for their happily ever after, The Offside Rule is one I highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is such a fun story to read – a forbidden romance with so much pining! Catherine Celia is 24 years old and has recently moved back home with her parents to Dallas after she caught her boyfriend of two years cheating on her. She’s in medical school and is taking a sports medicine rotation with the Dallas Blaze hockey team.
Hunter Russell is a single dad, age 33, and he is the captain of the Dallas Blaze hockey team. He is also friends with Catherine’s dad, the famous coach of the team. Hunter has had terrible luck in love - he caught his wife cheating on him at their wedding reception, then he had a daughter with a woman he had a rebound fling with. The woman did not want the child, so he took sole custody immediately. The love of his life is his adorable 10-year-old daughter Isla.
There are so many connections over the years between Hunter and Catherine – due to the nine-year age gap, she used to babysit his daughter, and Isla is best friends with Catherine’s little sister, Mila. Catherine has had a crush on him since she was 17. Hunter has always viewed her as a child until he sees her again after several years. Their attraction is instant and powerful! There are so many reasons why they believe they should not be together. Catherine’s dad is Hunter’s coach and friend, he’s 9 years older, and they work together.
However, they live in the same condo complex, work together, and their families are close. Hunter’s daughter loves Catherine and thinks of her as a sister. As the story progresses, they find themselves unable to fight the powerful passion drawing them together. As it turns out, the biggest barrier they find to a relationship is finding the courage to trust again after both have had bad relationships in the past.
This is truly a sweet romance with a wonderful cast of characters. It’s book one in the Dallas Blaze series, so I look forward to reading the rest of the books!
Hunter Russell is a single dad, age 33, and he is the captain of the Dallas Blaze hockey team. He is also friends with Catherine’s dad, the famous coach of the team. Hunter has had terrible luck in love - he caught his wife cheating on him at their wedding reception, then he had a daughter with a woman he had a rebound fling with. The woman did not want the child, so he took sole custody immediately. The love of his life is his adorable 10-year-old daughter Isla.
There are so many connections over the years between Hunter and Catherine – due to the nine-year age gap, she used to babysit his daughter, and Isla is best friends with Catherine’s little sister, Mila. Catherine has had a crush on him since she was 17. Hunter has always viewed her as a child until he sees her again after several years. Their attraction is instant and powerful! There are so many reasons why they believe they should not be together. Catherine’s dad is Hunter’s coach and friend, he’s 9 years older, and they work together.
However, they live in the same condo complex, work together, and their families are close. Hunter’s daughter loves Catherine and thinks of her as a sister. As the story progresses, they find themselves unable to fight the powerful passion drawing them together. As it turns out, the biggest barrier they find to a relationship is finding the courage to trust again after both have had bad relationships in the past.
This is truly a sweet romance with a wonderful cast of characters. It’s book one in the Dallas Blaze series, so I look forward to reading the rest of the books!
July 29, 2026
As summer gets into full swing, so does RC Stephens with the launch of her brand-new Dallas Blaze hockey romance series. And if The Offside Rule is anything to go by, this series is going to be one I’ll be talking about for a long time.
This book ticked every single one of my favourite romance boxes—hockey romance, a swoon-worthy single dad, a perfectly balanced age-gap romance, plenty of grumpy hero vibes, and a heroine you can’t help but cheer for. Oh… and did I mention it’s seriously hot?
Hunter Russell may be the broody captain of the Dallas Blaze, but underneath that tough exterior is a devoted father to his ten-year-old daughter. Their relationship added so much heart to the story and gave me all the warm, gooey feelings I love in a single-dad romance.
Then there’s Catherine—the coach’s daughter—who has secretly had a crush on Hunter for years. Throw in the fact that Hunter is friends with her dad, add Catherine landing an internship with the team while working through her final year of medical school, and you have the perfect recipe for undeniable chemistry.
The tension builds beautifully through stolen glances, lingering touches, secret moments, and a relationship they know they probably shouldn’t be exploring. Watching them try to resist each other was every bit as enjoyable as watching them finally give in.
What I loved most, though, was that this wasn’t just Hunter and Catherine’s story. RC Stephens cleverly introduces the rest of the Dallas Blaze team, giving each player enough personality to leave you desperate for their stories too. It lays the perfect foundation for what promises to be an addictive sports romance series.
If you love single dads, hockey romance, forbidden feelings, age-gap romance, slow-burning chemistry, found family, and a guaranteed happily ever after, then The Offside Rule deserves a place on your TBR.
I am officially all in for the Dallas Blaze, and I honestly can’t wait to see whose story we get next.
This book ticked every single one of my favourite romance boxes—hockey romance, a swoon-worthy single dad, a perfectly balanced age-gap romance, plenty of grumpy hero vibes, and a heroine you can’t help but cheer for. Oh… and did I mention it’s seriously hot?
Hunter Russell may be the broody captain of the Dallas Blaze, but underneath that tough exterior is a devoted father to his ten-year-old daughter. Their relationship added so much heart to the story and gave me all the warm, gooey feelings I love in a single-dad romance.
Then there’s Catherine—the coach’s daughter—who has secretly had a crush on Hunter for years. Throw in the fact that Hunter is friends with her dad, add Catherine landing an internship with the team while working through her final year of medical school, and you have the perfect recipe for undeniable chemistry.
The tension builds beautifully through stolen glances, lingering touches, secret moments, and a relationship they know they probably shouldn’t be exploring. Watching them try to resist each other was every bit as enjoyable as watching them finally give in.
What I loved most, though, was that this wasn’t just Hunter and Catherine’s story. RC Stephens cleverly introduces the rest of the Dallas Blaze team, giving each player enough personality to leave you desperate for their stories too. It lays the perfect foundation for what promises to be an addictive sports romance series.
If you love single dads, hockey romance, forbidden feelings, age-gap romance, slow-burning chemistry, found family, and a guaranteed happily ever after, then The Offside Rule deserves a place on your TBR.
I am officially all in for the Dallas Blaze, and I honestly can’t wait to see whose story we get next.
July 30, 2026
Forbidden age-gap romance
R.C. Stephens has begun her Dallas Blaze series with flair. I love next generation stories and THE OFFSIDE RULE has me thoroughly invested. This age gap, single dad, coach's daughter, close proximity, forbidden hockey romance was humourous, emotional, spicy and had the best yearning I've read in a while.
She's the coach's daughter and has had a crush on the team captain since her teenage years. Catherine Davis has returned home after having her heart broken. She's studying to be a doctor in sports medicine and is about to start an internship with her dad's team. Hunter Russell is a single dad and captain of the Dallas Blaze. His priority is his daughter Isla. He has no room for a relationship, nor does he wants one.
Who would have thought a fourth of July barbeque would bring on so much tension and so many sparks? An incident in the pool house (IYKYK) has Catherine and Hunter realising that there is more than attraction between them. Past betrayals have made them wary of relationships, but neither can ignore the pull and chemistry which exists between them. Navigating their way is not easy, especially when family and caeers are involved.
I loved Catherine and Hunter's story. They were two relatable characters, their emotions were realistic, heartbreaking at times, as were the decisions they made. I loved their banter and their spice was incredibly hot. It was fun catching up with both sets of parents, having met them in their own books. I especially loved their reactions to Catherine and Hunter's relationship ... Cole cracks me up every time! Isla was simply adorable, a little mischief maker. The secondary characters were amazing and I cant wait for some of their stories, especially Max's.
Read and Reviewed for Reading Is Our Satisfaction
✨✨✨✨✨5 STARS
R.C. Stephens has begun her Dallas Blaze series with flair. I love next generation stories and THE OFFSIDE RULE has me thoroughly invested. This age gap, single dad, coach's daughter, close proximity, forbidden hockey romance was humourous, emotional, spicy and had the best yearning I've read in a while.
She's the coach's daughter and has had a crush on the team captain since her teenage years. Catherine Davis has returned home after having her heart broken. She's studying to be a doctor in sports medicine and is about to start an internship with her dad's team. Hunter Russell is a single dad and captain of the Dallas Blaze. His priority is his daughter Isla. He has no room for a relationship, nor does he wants one.
Who would have thought a fourth of July barbeque would bring on so much tension and so many sparks? An incident in the pool house (IYKYK) has Catherine and Hunter realising that there is more than attraction between them. Past betrayals have made them wary of relationships, but neither can ignore the pull and chemistry which exists between them. Navigating their way is not easy, especially when family and caeers are involved.
I loved Catherine and Hunter's story. They were two relatable characters, their emotions were realistic, heartbreaking at times, as were the decisions they made. I loved their banter and their spice was incredibly hot. It was fun catching up with both sets of parents, having met them in their own books. I especially loved their reactions to Catherine and Hunter's relationship ... Cole cracks me up every time! Isla was simply adorable, a little mischief maker. The secondary characters were amazing and I cant wait for some of their stories, especially Max's.
Read and Reviewed for Reading Is Our Satisfaction
✨✨✨✨✨5 STARS
August 3, 2026
Book Trope: Hockey Romance, Age Gap, Forbidden Romance, Single Dad, Coach’s Daughter, Sports Medicine Heroine, Secret Relationship, Father’s Best Friend, Protective Hero, Broody Hero, Explosive Chemistry, Inconvenient Shower Incident, Spicy Romance, Happily Ever After
Hunter Russell is the captain for the Dallas Blaze NHL hockey team. He is 33 and has a 10 yr old daughter, Isla, who he is raising on his own. Hunter has been married before and was also hurt very painfully by that same ex. Hunter never wanted to be in another relationship, but that wasn't ever fair to him or to his daughter. Once he opened his eyes his heart also opened to Catherine.
Catherine (CC), is 24, and in her fourth year of med school, she wants to go into Sports Medicine. She is doing a sports internship at the Dallas Blaze NHL Hockey Team and will be around the players and her dad most of the week. Catherine's dad - Coach Davis is the Coach of the team, he is also Hunter's best friend. When Catherine was a teenager she would babysit Isla, and her sister Mila, both are the same age and are best friends. The families are very intertwined with each other. Catherine had a teenage crush on Hunter, nothing ever happened from that teenage crush. But, now 8 yrs later, she still has a crush on him.
Will Hunter and Catherine be able to 'date' without anyone on the hockey team finding out? Or the paparazzi? Or the public? Will Hunter be able to open his heart again to love? Will Hunter be punched by Catherine's father if he does tell his Coach he is dating his daughter? Oi!
Thank you to R.C. Stephens and The Author Agency for the ARC! I am freely leaving my own honest book review.
Hunter Russell is the captain for the Dallas Blaze NHL hockey team. He is 33 and has a 10 yr old daughter, Isla, who he is raising on his own. Hunter has been married before and was also hurt very painfully by that same ex. Hunter never wanted to be in another relationship, but that wasn't ever fair to him or to his daughter. Once he opened his eyes his heart also opened to Catherine.
Catherine (CC), is 24, and in her fourth year of med school, she wants to go into Sports Medicine. She is doing a sports internship at the Dallas Blaze NHL Hockey Team and will be around the players and her dad most of the week. Catherine's dad - Coach Davis is the Coach of the team, he is also Hunter's best friend. When Catherine was a teenager she would babysit Isla, and her sister Mila, both are the same age and are best friends. The families are very intertwined with each other. Catherine had a teenage crush on Hunter, nothing ever happened from that teenage crush. But, now 8 yrs later, she still has a crush on him.
Will Hunter and Catherine be able to 'date' without anyone on the hockey team finding out? Or the paparazzi? Or the public? Will Hunter be able to open his heart again to love? Will Hunter be punched by Catherine's father if he does tell his Coach he is dating his daughter? Oi!
Thank you to R.C. Stephens and The Author Agency for the ARC! I am freely leaving my own honest book review.
Review of advance copy
Book 1 in the Dallas Blaze Series and a great introduction to this hockey world.
It took me a few chapters to get hooked, but once I reached a turning point, I couldn’t put this book down.
Hunter and Catherine’s story was filled with chemistry, tension, and so much emotion. From the beginning, it was clear they couldn’t stay away from each other, but the circumstances surrounding their relationship made everything complicated. They both had so much to lose—Catherine risked her career and reputation, while Hunter risked his hockey career. Add in the fact that Catherine is the daughter of Hunter’s hockey coach, and their already complicated situation becomes even more tangled because their lives are connected through work, friendships, and hockey.
There were several side characters throughout the book (possibly setting up future stories in the series), but Billie Rose was the one who stole the show for me. She is the friend everyone needs—the one who gives you a push when you need it and makes you laugh when you need it most. Every time she was on the page, I found myself smiling and laughing.
R.C. Stephens did an amazing job with the age gap and coach’s daughter tropes. I loved how she separated teenage “CC” from adult “Catherine” and created a story where their relationship felt believable, emotional, and easy to root for.
Overall, this was a great start to the Dallas Blaze Series, and I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next!
It took me a few chapters to get hooked, but once I reached a turning point, I couldn’t put this book down.
Hunter and Catherine’s story was filled with chemistry, tension, and so much emotion. From the beginning, it was clear they couldn’t stay away from each other, but the circumstances surrounding their relationship made everything complicated. They both had so much to lose—Catherine risked her career and reputation, while Hunter risked his hockey career. Add in the fact that Catherine is the daughter of Hunter’s hockey coach, and their already complicated situation becomes even more tangled because their lives are connected through work, friendships, and hockey.
There were several side characters throughout the book (possibly setting up future stories in the series), but Billie Rose was the one who stole the show for me. She is the friend everyone needs—the one who gives you a push when you need it and makes you laugh when you need it most. Every time she was on the page, I found myself smiling and laughing.
R.C. Stephens did an amazing job with the age gap and coach’s daughter tropes. I loved how she separated teenage “CC” from adult “Catherine” and created a story where their relationship felt believable, emotional, and easy to root for.
Overall, this was a great start to the Dallas Blaze Series, and I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next!
Review of advance copy received from Author
-Secret Forbidden Relationship
-Single Dad
-Sports Medicine Intern x Hockey Player
-Coach’s Daughter
-Age Gap
-Father’s Best Friend
This book is sure to catch your attention. First off, who doesn’t love a spicy forbidden romance! Second, single dad with a 9 year age gap, count me in! Fourth of July is the start of their chemistry and it only gets steamier from there. Both of them try so hard to fight the chemistry until they just can’t handle it anymore!
Catherine is a girl who knows what she wants and is not afraid to back down. She had a horrible break up and didn’t think she would be able to find genuine love. She focuses on your future as a sports medicine doctor and tries to put love on the back burner. Until her secret crush finds her in the shower and neither of them can deny the chemistry they have. But will their whole world come crashing down ?
Hunter is a grumpy single daddy. He is the captain of his hockey team. His coach is his best friend and practically his family. Until he sees Catherine, nothing but his daughter and career mattered. He had a previous horrible relationship. He has sworn off love until Catherine. She makes his world stop and his heart heal. Will he be able to fully move on from his past and fears?
Read this book to find out how it all goes down! Thank you to the author and agency for allowing me to read this Advanced Readers Copy !
-Single Dad
-Sports Medicine Intern x Hockey Player
-Coach’s Daughter
-Age Gap
-Father’s Best Friend
This book is sure to catch your attention. First off, who doesn’t love a spicy forbidden romance! Second, single dad with a 9 year age gap, count me in! Fourth of July is the start of their chemistry and it only gets steamier from there. Both of them try so hard to fight the chemistry until they just can’t handle it anymore!
Catherine is a girl who knows what she wants and is not afraid to back down. She had a horrible break up and didn’t think she would be able to find genuine love. She focuses on your future as a sports medicine doctor and tries to put love on the back burner. Until her secret crush finds her in the shower and neither of them can deny the chemistry they have. But will their whole world come crashing down ?
Hunter is a grumpy single daddy. He is the captain of his hockey team. His coach is his best friend and practically his family. Until he sees Catherine, nothing but his daughter and career mattered. He had a previous horrible relationship. He has sworn off love until Catherine. She makes his world stop and his heart heal. Will he be able to fully move on from his past and fears?
Read this book to find out how it all goes down! Thank you to the author and agency for allowing me to read this Advanced Readers Copy !
Review of advance copy
This is the start of a second generation series of all of RC Stephens hockey series coming together with Cole and Holland’s daughter CC as a grown woman falling in love with Oli and Sloane’s son, single dad Hunter. The cameos were great and I can’t wait to see more throughout the series.
Catherine and Hunter were drawn together after an incident tipped the scales and made it impossible to ignore. Catherine is mature and conscientious about those around her especially Hunter, his daughter, and her father and his team. She’s a dedicated medical student and doesn’t want her position with the team to be questioned because of her last name and being with Hunter. Hunter has been deeply hurt in the past and is extremely guarded but he finds himself lowering his walls for Catherine even as it terrifies him.
The connection and chemistry between them is too strong to ignore and impossible not to explore but comes with several challenges. The two of them had to decide if continuing being together was worth the obstacles or part and wonder what if.
I’m excited for this series and have an idea or two about which hockey star is the next hero to fall and get his happily ever after
Thank you @rc_stephens_author and @theauthor.agency for for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
Catherine and Hunter were drawn together after an incident tipped the scales and made it impossible to ignore. Catherine is mature and conscientious about those around her especially Hunter, his daughter, and her father and his team. She’s a dedicated medical student and doesn’t want her position with the team to be questioned because of her last name and being with Hunter. Hunter has been deeply hurt in the past and is extremely guarded but he finds himself lowering his walls for Catherine even as it terrifies him.
The connection and chemistry between them is too strong to ignore and impossible not to explore but comes with several challenges. The two of them had to decide if continuing being together was worth the obstacles or part and wonder what if.
I’m excited for this series and have an idea or two about which hockey star is the next hero to fall and get his happily ever after
Thank you @rc_stephens_author and @theauthor.agency for for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
Review of advance copy
Rating: 3 stars
Writing a romance with dad's best friend trope that isn't icky, is not easy. But here the author did a great job of creating the forbidden aspect of the relationship, but clearly separating the times when CC was a teenager from her being a full grown adult Catherine. And how Hunter feeling started when she was a woman, not a kid.
I loved reading how they were both thorn, the tension was there. The angst. The feelings. But also some funny moments, when they were trying to hide, as well as courtesy of the great side characters.
But I can't help the feeling that the angst and the fears that main characters had, weren't really consistent throughout the story. I felt like it changed who felt fear towards what and in general at parts it was a bit dragged.
I mean, I am all for angsty, secret relationship with some forbiddenness in it, but the second half of the book just wasn't as good as the beginning.
That being said, I really liked the setting and all the side characters, so I will definitely be following the Dallas Blaze series and what the author has in store for the next books.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
Writing a romance with dad's best friend trope that isn't icky, is not easy. But here the author did a great job of creating the forbidden aspect of the relationship, but clearly separating the times when CC was a teenager from her being a full grown adult Catherine. And how Hunter feeling started when she was a woman, not a kid.
I loved reading how they were both thorn, the tension was there. The angst. The feelings. But also some funny moments, when they were trying to hide, as well as courtesy of the great side characters.
But I can't help the feeling that the angst and the fears that main characters had, weren't really consistent throughout the story. I felt like it changed who felt fear towards what and in general at parts it was a bit dragged.
I mean, I am all for angsty, secret relationship with some forbiddenness in it, but the second half of the book just wasn't as good as the beginning.
That being said, I really liked the setting and all the side characters, so I will definitely be following the Dallas Blaze series and what the author has in store for the next books.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
July 25, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ 2.5 🌶️
Bah! Give me the “her dad is my coach” and “he’s my dad’s captain” trope any day of the week and I’ll devour it without a second thought.
Hunter Russell is the absolute epitome of a hockey god. He’s a single dad, guarded, wary of love, and trusts absolutely no one. The man’s been burned more than once, and those scars aren’t going anywhere.
Catherine Celia is a 24-year-old medical student who used to babysit for him. Fast forward a few years, and suddenly she’s seeing him in a very different light…
…and it’s glorious.
Naturally they fall for each other. Naturally the chemistry is off the charts. Naturally it’s hot, messy, forbidden, and detonates like a bomb the second everyone discovers what they’ve been hiding.
Sign. Me. Up.
This had everything I wanted: incredible tension, endless push and pull, plenty of angst, family drama, and a romance that felt explosive in all the best ways. Hunter and Catherine had chemistry from the very beginning, and watching them fight their feelings was almost as entertaining as watching everyone else lose their minds when the truth came out.
I loved every second of it.
Tropes ✨
🩷age gap
🏒NHL hockey
🩷coach's daughter
🏒single dad
🩷found family
🏒close proximity
🩷spicy
🏒forbidden
Bah! Give me the “her dad is my coach” and “he’s my dad’s captain” trope any day of the week and I’ll devour it without a second thought.
Hunter Russell is the absolute epitome of a hockey god. He’s a single dad, guarded, wary of love, and trusts absolutely no one. The man’s been burned more than once, and those scars aren’t going anywhere.
Catherine Celia is a 24-year-old medical student who used to babysit for him. Fast forward a few years, and suddenly she’s seeing him in a very different light…
…and it’s glorious.
Naturally they fall for each other. Naturally the chemistry is off the charts. Naturally it’s hot, messy, forbidden, and detonates like a bomb the second everyone discovers what they’ve been hiding.
Sign. Me. Up.
This had everything I wanted: incredible tension, endless push and pull, plenty of angst, family drama, and a romance that felt explosive in all the best ways. Hunter and Catherine had chemistry from the very beginning, and watching them fight their feelings was almost as entertaining as watching everyone else lose their minds when the truth came out.
I loved every second of it.
Tropes ✨
🩷age gap
🏒NHL hockey
🩷coach's daughter
🏒single dad
🩷found family
🏒close proximity
🩷spicy
🏒forbidden
Review of advance copy
Great start to a series
This is book 1 of The Dallas Blaze series and starts off with single dad, hockey player and Captain, Hunter.
Plus CC (Catherine) daughter of the coach of the Blaze’s and completing a sports medicine internship there.
Hunter and CC have known each other for a long time as her dad and him are friends.
Hunter is 9 years older than her but it isn’t until she comes back from college and they’re together regularly, that they see each other in a different light.
This ends up being a forbidden relationship that they keep secret to protect their families and jobs.
The story is steamy, funny at times, emotional others, with both working through past hurts and their feelings.
Hunter has work responsibilities and a 10 year old daughter to think about while CC has to prove that she deserves to be doing this internship, that it wasn’t just given to her as her dad’s the coach.
There is drama and angst and decisions to be made if they are going to be together, out in the open.
A wonderful story with loveable characters plus a great introduction to the hockey team.
I’m looking forward to reading more in this series.
Thank you RC Stephen’s and The Author Agency for the opportunity to read this story.
4.5 Stars ⭐️
This is book 1 of The Dallas Blaze series and starts off with single dad, hockey player and Captain, Hunter.
Plus CC (Catherine) daughter of the coach of the Blaze’s and completing a sports medicine internship there.
Hunter and CC have known each other for a long time as her dad and him are friends.
Hunter is 9 years older than her but it isn’t until she comes back from college and they’re together regularly, that they see each other in a different light.
This ends up being a forbidden relationship that they keep secret to protect their families and jobs.
The story is steamy, funny at times, emotional others, with both working through past hurts and their feelings.
Hunter has work responsibilities and a 10 year old daughter to think about while CC has to prove that she deserves to be doing this internship, that it wasn’t just given to her as her dad’s the coach.
There is drama and angst and decisions to be made if they are going to be together, out in the open.
A wonderful story with loveable characters plus a great introduction to the hockey team.
I’m looking forward to reading more in this series.
Thank you RC Stephen’s and The Author Agency for the opportunity to read this story.
4.5 Stars ⭐️
August 9, 2026
This book is all about rules. First rule is never cross the line with a friend’s daughter, much less you coach. Second rule… See first rule and enforce it! But for Hi tee that rule keeps getting hard not to break. As the captain for his team and a single father he knows that some things are just simply out of reach. Having had his heart broken and betrayed he has been happily single for years. His daughter is his world and his team has rallied around him for years stepping up to help. The biggest support and help came from his coaches family, from advice to baby sitting they have become more than work colleagues they are family. When Catherine comes back to live at home and to work for the team in an internship, he see the woman he has become and not the girl that once took care of his daughter. That is the rule he is about to obliterate.
Catherine has had a crush on Hunter for years, an older man that has overcome heart ache and become the best father for his little girl. Strong and caring he is all she has ever dreamed of and when he finally sees her… well, let’s just say that sometimes being patient pays off. Now can they withstand facing everyone and everything that stands in their way and threatens to destroy what they are building?
A steamy forbidden romance that just melted my heart! Perfection.
Catherine has had a crush on Hunter for years, an older man that has overcome heart ache and become the best father for his little girl. Strong and caring he is all she has ever dreamed of and when he finally sees her… well, let’s just say that sometimes being patient pays off. Now can they withstand facing everyone and everything that stands in their way and threatens to destroy what they are building?
A steamy forbidden romance that just melted my heart! Perfection.
Review of advance copy
THE OFFSIDE RULE - R.C. Stephens
ARC REVIEW - Book 137 of 2026
The Offside Rule
🏒 NHL Hockey player (no games on paper)
💕 Age gap romance (9 years)
🙈 Forbidden romance (coaches daughter)
🧑🧒 Single Dad
🌶️ There is some spice
“He was 9 years older, completely forbidden, and the first man in months who made me feel alive” 💕
This was light hearted, a forbidden romance and add in some forced proximity with being associated to the same Hockey club + living in the same building I was down for the read 🙈 The want and need between Hunter and Catherine was easy to feel. The chemistry 🔥 I loved how even though he’s a single dad, my ick word DADDY wasn’t mentioned 👏 👏 👏
I did feel like this book was a little on the longer side for what was described on page, and I really wish we got some Hockey games played out. They also seemed to have the same conversation over and over without much progress which got under my skin a little.
What I really loved in this book, the girls ! The friendship between them, the banter ! This was a vibeeeee 💃✨
ARC kindly gifted by The Author Agency and review was provided voluntarily.
ARC REVIEW - Book 137 of 2026
The Offside Rule
🏒 NHL Hockey player (no games on paper)
💕 Age gap romance (9 years)
🙈 Forbidden romance (coaches daughter)
🧑🧒 Single Dad
🌶️ There is some spice
“He was 9 years older, completely forbidden, and the first man in months who made me feel alive” 💕
This was light hearted, a forbidden romance and add in some forced proximity with being associated to the same Hockey club + living in the same building I was down for the read 🙈 The want and need between Hunter and Catherine was easy to feel. The chemistry 🔥 I loved how even though he’s a single dad, my ick word DADDY wasn’t mentioned 👏 👏 👏
I did feel like this book was a little on the longer side for what was described on page, and I really wish we got some Hockey games played out. They also seemed to have the same conversation over and over without much progress which got under my skin a little.
What I really loved in this book, the girls ! The friendship between them, the banter ! This was a vibeeeee 💃✨
ARC kindly gifted by The Author Agency and review was provided voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
If there is one thing guaranteed to get my attention, it is a single dad romance with a hefty dose of forbidden tension. The Offside Rule delivered that and then sprinkled in an age gap romance that had me kicking my feet the entire time.
Hunter was impossible not to love. He has spent so long protecting his heart that you can feel the weight of every decision he makes. His relationship with Isla was precious, and watching him slowly accept that Catherine had become an essential part of their lives was one of my favorite aspects of the story.
Catherine has the patience of a saint because that woman waited YEARS. Her feelings for Hunter never faded, they simply grew alongside her, and seeing her finally get the chance to pursue what she wanted felt so satisfying. She is resilient, compassionate, and more than willing to stand up for the life she wants.
This book had me completely invested from beginning to end. It was emotional, romantic, and packed with enough longing to power an entire city. I finished it with a huge smile on my face and immediately wanted to spend more time with these characters.
Hunter was impossible not to love. He has spent so long protecting his heart that you can feel the weight of every decision he makes. His relationship with Isla was precious, and watching him slowly accept that Catherine had become an essential part of their lives was one of my favorite aspects of the story.
Catherine has the patience of a saint because that woman waited YEARS. Her feelings for Hunter never faded, they simply grew alongside her, and seeing her finally get the chance to pursue what she wanted felt so satisfying. She is resilient, compassionate, and more than willing to stand up for the life she wants.
This book had me completely invested from beginning to end. It was emotional, romantic, and packed with enough longing to power an entire city. I finished it with a huge smile on my face and immediately wanted to spend more time with these characters.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Who doesn't love a good forbidden romance? Hunter and Catherine have known each other for a long time. She had a crush on him since she was a teenager but him being a decade older, she never thought she'd had a chance with the man. But time has passed and Hunter is not a single dad, captain of her father hockey team and the attraction is still there. Keeping it under wraps will be a problem.
Hunter thinks he's all wrong for her. She just starting her life and his 33 years and his past is not good enough for someone as good as her. But refusing to succumb to the attraction has become too much to handle and when they let go of the rains, all bets are off. But keeping their relationship a secret is becoming increasing hard and when they're exposed, Hunter will have to decide if he's the man for her.
This story was a nice read and despite a few eyebrows raised, over all i enjoyed it. Hunter was the right man for Catherine despite being hesitated to full letting her in.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
Hunter thinks he's all wrong for her. She just starting her life and his 33 years and his past is not good enough for someone as good as her. But refusing to succumb to the attraction has become too much to handle and when they let go of the rains, all bets are off. But keeping their relationship a secret is becoming increasing hard and when they're exposed, Hunter will have to decide if he's the man for her.
This story was a nice read and despite a few eyebrows raised, over all i enjoyed it. Hunter was the right man for Catherine despite being hesitated to full letting her in.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
July 28, 2026
The Offside Rule is intern doctor Catherine Celia “CC” Davis and NHL captain Hunter Russell’s age gap, forbidden romance. It’s book one in the new Dallas Blaze Series and this series starts with a bang. I was drawn in from the first chapter and it didn’t take me long to become invested in this couple and their journey.
CC has just arrived at the Dallas Blaze and she is trying to prove herself on her own merit but that’s not easy when your dad is the team coach. Another issue is single dad and captain of the team is the man she had crushed on for many years and when she finds herself treating an old injury of his things start to get real interesting.
Hunter spends all his free time with his 10 year old daughter and his coach who happens to be his best friend and that means spending time with CC so what happens when feelings come into play. Will they take a leap of faith and risk careers and friendships.
This was an entertaining and well written story, I smiled and I swooned as I cheered this couple on but it was a little girl who stole my heart and at times the show with her classic one liners.
CC has just arrived at the Dallas Blaze and she is trying to prove herself on her own merit but that’s not easy when your dad is the team coach. Another issue is single dad and captain of the team is the man she had crushed on for many years and when she finds herself treating an old injury of his things start to get real interesting.
Hunter spends all his free time with his 10 year old daughter and his coach who happens to be his best friend and that means spending time with CC so what happens when feelings come into play. Will they take a leap of faith and risk careers and friendships.
This was an entertaining and well written story, I smiled and I swooned as I cheered this couple on but it was a little girl who stole my heart and at times the show with her classic one liners.
July 31, 2026
I loved this new story in the new R.C Stephens series. Hunter and Catherine’s chemistry was absolutely off the charts.
Hunter is a single dad to an adorable little girl and the captain of the Dallas Blaze hockey team. His had his fair share of heartbreak, but out of the heartbreak came an amazing little girl. He is friends with the coach and his wife who was there for him when he started out with his little girl. So being attracted to his coach’s daughter, his younger daughter is not exactly what he has planned for.
Catherine “CC’ Davis is working hard to finish her studies to be a doctor. Now she is interning with her father’s team and she feels she has to prove that she deserves this chance. But being attracted to the team captain who is also her dad’s friend is not a good idea, right. But CC has had a crush on Hunter since she was a teenager. Now they are sneaking around and trying not do lie to their friends and family…
Some angst and lots of sexual chemistry that will have you wanting more of these two. Love the story and the characters and I am so looking forward to the next one in this series 😊
Read on behalf of
Fay’s Corner
Hunter is a single dad to an adorable little girl and the captain of the Dallas Blaze hockey team. His had his fair share of heartbreak, but out of the heartbreak came an amazing little girl. He is friends with the coach and his wife who was there for him when he started out with his little girl. So being attracted to his coach’s daughter, his younger daughter is not exactly what he has planned for.
Catherine “CC’ Davis is working hard to finish her studies to be a doctor. Now she is interning with her father’s team and she feels she has to prove that she deserves this chance. But being attracted to the team captain who is also her dad’s friend is not a good idea, right. But CC has had a crush on Hunter since she was a teenager. Now they are sneaking around and trying not do lie to their friends and family…
Some angst and lots of sexual chemistry that will have you wanting more of these two. Love the story and the characters and I am so looking forward to the next one in this series 😊
Read on behalf of
Fay’s Corner
August 2, 2026
This was such a fun read! There is so much angsty drama in this storyline, I was addicted from the first few paragraphs. This book focuses more on the growing relationship between CC & Hunter during the summer/hockey offseason.
The 9 year age gap isn’t super significant, but Hunter is well established and respected as the Captain of the Dallas Blaze. The fact Catherine is his coach and friends daughter and that she is doing a medical internship with the hockey team is problematic and potentially catastrophic if their secret relationship is outed.
Hunter’s traumatic past relationship still has him questioning whether he should consider letting someone into his heart and actually trusting them. He is so drawn to Catherine and has little success in resisting. He is both sweet and swoony.
I love the large extended circle of friend & family, many of them are characters from the author’s previous series or the second generation. I’m very eager to read more in this series.
I received a free ARC from the author and The Author Agency; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.
The 9 year age gap isn’t super significant, but Hunter is well established and respected as the Captain of the Dallas Blaze. The fact Catherine is his coach and friends daughter and that she is doing a medical internship with the hockey team is problematic and potentially catastrophic if their secret relationship is outed.
Hunter’s traumatic past relationship still has him questioning whether he should consider letting someone into his heart and actually trusting them. He is so drawn to Catherine and has little success in resisting. He is both sweet and swoony.
I love the large extended circle of friend & family, many of them are characters from the author’s previous series or the second generation. I’m very eager to read more in this series.
I received a free ARC from the author and The Author Agency; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Dallas Blaze: Hunter and Catherine Celia “CC”
An age-gap hockey romance with all the forbidden tension. Hunter is the tattooed, broody team captain, a devoted single dad, and his coach's daughter is the last person he should be falling for. The secret relationship and sneaking around made the tension even better, with just the right amount of steam.
“I don’t regret you.’
Hunter completely won me over. He's protective, fiercely loyal, and an incredible dad. Isla absolutely stole every scene she was in. I adored her. I also loved the family dynamic, not just between Hunter and Isla, but with the team and the heroine's family. It gave the story so much warmth, and so much potential for conflict!
The third-act conflict felt more like a breakdown in communication than a true breakup, with Hunter being a bit of an dingleberry, but his aha moment made it all worthwhile.
A steamy, heartfelt hockey romance with a protective single dad, great found-family vibes, and plenty of forbidden chemistry.
An age-gap hockey romance with all the forbidden tension. Hunter is the tattooed, broody team captain, a devoted single dad, and his coach's daughter is the last person he should be falling for. The secret relationship and sneaking around made the tension even better, with just the right amount of steam.
“I don’t regret you.’
Hunter completely won me over. He's protective, fiercely loyal, and an incredible dad. Isla absolutely stole every scene she was in. I adored her. I also loved the family dynamic, not just between Hunter and Isla, but with the team and the heroine's family. It gave the story so much warmth, and so much potential for conflict!
The third-act conflict felt more like a breakdown in communication than a true breakup, with Hunter being a bit of an dingleberry, but his aha moment made it all worthwhile.
A steamy, heartfelt hockey romance with a protective single dad, great found-family vibes, and plenty of forbidden chemistry.
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