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Offsides
Each book in this series features a different couple and a complete happily ever after.
US team captain Darcy Kessler ended things with Arden Voss five years ago and she has exactly zero regrets. The program needed her. The roster needed her. The fact that she has built her entire identity around the residency and has not been in a serious relationship since is a coincidence and not up for discussion.
Arden plays for Canada now. She's faster than anyone in international women's hockey, she's furious about it on a deeply personal level, and she has been not-over Darcy Kessler for five years while being extremely busy about it. She left. Darcy chose the program. That was the deal. She does not look for Darcy in every arena she walks into.
She does, though.
When the Women's World Championship bracket puts them on a collision course for the gold medal game, every sports outlet in two countries decides the storyline writes ex-lovers, opposing captains, enemy ice. Both federations are watching. Both coaching staffs have opinions. The media is insufferable. And Darcy is playing worse every time Arden is within twenty feet of her, which is a systems failure she cannot explain away.
The anger between them is just grief in skates. The problem is that grief doesn't care about tournament brackets, and neither does the way Arden still looks at her.
They are both complete idiots about this. They already know exactly what they lost.
Will five years of distance be enough to keep them apart — or is the gold medal game the one thing neither of them can outskate?
US team captain Darcy Kessler ended things with Arden Voss five years ago and she has exactly zero regrets. The program needed her. The roster needed her. The fact that she has built her entire identity around the residency and has not been in a serious relationship since is a coincidence and not up for discussion.
Arden plays for Canada now. She's faster than anyone in international women's hockey, she's furious about it on a deeply personal level, and she has been not-over Darcy Kessler for five years while being extremely busy about it. She left. Darcy chose the program. That was the deal. She does not look for Darcy in every arena she walks into.
She does, though.
When the Women's World Championship bracket puts them on a collision course for the gold medal game, every sports outlet in two countries decides the storyline writes ex-lovers, opposing captains, enemy ice. Both federations are watching. Both coaching staffs have opinions. The media is insufferable. And Darcy is playing worse every time Arden is within twenty feet of her, which is a systems failure she cannot explain away.
The anger between them is just grief in skates. The problem is that grief doesn't care about tournament brackets, and neither does the way Arden still looks at her.
They are both complete idiots about this. They already know exactly what they lost.
Will five years of distance be enough to keep them apart — or is the gold medal game the one thing neither of them can outskate?
363 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 26, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Did Not Finish
June 7, 2026This is 100% AI like ugh hate everything
Did Not Finish
July 20, 2026Was starting to enjoy this before I started to suspect AI. No author presence (social media, website, profiles) and large amount of books published in a very short span of time (not always a tick off but in this case?) and no listed or accessible cover illustrator named, ect. If this is AI is disgusting to me to see representation like this preformed when there are so many wonderful queer voices to be heard and supported without the use of AI.
June 26, 2026
I could net get past the fact that question marks weren’t used! And the one word repetitive dialogue was brutal. I never want to read Mm again.
Did Not Finish
July 12, 2026God I wanted to love this so bad
July 14, 2026
I liked the premises of the story. Absolutely terrible writing. Sounds super mechanical.
Did Not Finish
June 5, 2026Don't know of it was the virtual
Voice but I just couldn't get into it.
I may try just reading it but for now it was just to repetitive in the thought process, only made it to chapter 3.
July 8, 2026
This book is a tender, emotionally intelligent romance that stands out not just for its chemistry, but for the way it handles neurodivergence with nuance, respect, and genuine heart. What resonated most for me was the reason Darcy pulls away from Arden — a moment rooted in misunderstanding, overwhelm, and the complexities of living on the autism spectrum. Instead of treating this as a dramatic plot device, the author approaches it with care, honesty, and a deep understanding of how communication differences can shape relationships.
Darcy’s journey is beautifully rendered. Her sensory needs, her processing style, and her emotional boundaries are never portrayed as flaws — they’re simply part of who she is. The author allows readers to sit with Darcy’s internal world, making her choices feel grounded and deeply human. Arden’s hurt, confusion, and eventual clarity mirror the real challenges partners face when navigating neurodivergent–neurotypical dynamics.
What makes the story shine is how both characters find their way back to themselves before they find their way back to each other. Their growth feels earned, not rushed. And the friendships — warm, loyal, and quietly heroic — are the scaffolding that makes that healing possible. Without those friends, neither Darcy nor Arden would have had the space, encouragement, or perspective to rebuild.
The author doesn’t sensationalize autism or turn it into a lesson. Instead, she shows how love can thrive when people are willing to understand each other’s needs, communicate honestly, and give grace during the messy parts. It’s a romance that feels both soft and real, with emotional stakes that linger long after the last page.
A beautifully navigated story of neurodivergence, reconnection, and the quiet power of the people who hold us up.
Darcy’s journey is beautifully rendered. Her sensory needs, her processing style, and her emotional boundaries are never portrayed as flaws — they’re simply part of who she is. The author allows readers to sit with Darcy’s internal world, making her choices feel grounded and deeply human. Arden’s hurt, confusion, and eventual clarity mirror the real challenges partners face when navigating neurodivergent–neurotypical dynamics.
What makes the story shine is how both characters find their way back to themselves before they find their way back to each other. Their growth feels earned, not rushed. And the friendships — warm, loyal, and quietly heroic — are the scaffolding that makes that healing possible. Without those friends, neither Darcy nor Arden would have had the space, encouragement, or perspective to rebuild.
The author doesn’t sensationalize autism or turn it into a lesson. Instead, she shows how love can thrive when people are willing to understand each other’s needs, communicate honestly, and give grace during the messy parts. It’s a romance that feels both soft and real, with emotional stakes that linger long after the last page.
A beautifully navigated story of neurodivergence, reconnection, and the quiet power of the people who hold us up.
July 16, 2026
The story vs the writing
*Few light spoilers
The story was awesome. Really liked the longing and the resolution for both characters getting to best versions of them selves by the end. Do wish there was a little more of what is next for them in this new life.
The style of writing did take me a minute to get into or even to make sure I was following correctly. I have never read something in this format before. I would say once you get through the initial unconventional way this starts you find the flow. The third person in some parts and then self dialogue within even the same page was a bit abnormal for me.
I do think it gave some perspective into the mind of someone with Autism. That was really interesting in the writing style, since it seems to be written from that perspective.
I do think it was worth the read.
*Few light spoilers
The story was awesome. Really liked the longing and the resolution for both characters getting to best versions of them selves by the end. Do wish there was a little more of what is next for them in this new life.
The style of writing did take me a minute to get into or even to make sure I was following correctly. I have never read something in this format before. I would say once you get through the initial unconventional way this starts you find the flow. The third person in some parts and then self dialogue within even the same page was a bit abnormal for me.
I do think it gave some perspective into the mind of someone with Autism. That was really interesting in the writing style, since it seems to be written from that perspective.
I do think it was worth the read.
June 3, 2026
I was ready to not like this
But then it worked. The dialogue style is somehow both repetitive but also worked for these characters. I am worried that it is carried on in the rest of the series. I hope to god it’s reinvented for each set of couples.
I appreciate an ADHD and autistic pairing so much. We all drive each other mad with our different access needs but it’s also a match made in heaven.
But then it worked. The dialogue style is somehow both repetitive but also worked for these characters. I am worried that it is carried on in the rest of the series. I hope to god it’s reinvented for each set of couples.
I appreciate an ADHD and autistic pairing so much. We all drive each other mad with our different access needs but it’s also a match made in heaven.
July 3, 2026
the writing style was stuff at times, but the AI accusations are way overblown. i don’t normally love the miscommunication trope but in this, it was done well/in a way that didn’t bother me! and a+ for happy ending!
July 5, 2026
I could see why some people may not like this book but I personally loved it. It may be because I can see the two different parts of myself in the main characters. I would especially recommend this for Neurodivergent people
July 7, 2026
Great book
First time reading Juno Reardon-this book definitely made a great first impression. Love, angst, insecurity an hockey what more could you ask for? HEA? Most definitely! Can't wait to read more!!!
First time reading Juno Reardon-this book definitely made a great first impression. Love, angst, insecurity an hockey what more could you ask for? HEA? Most definitely! Can't wait to read more!!!
Did Not Finish
June 29, 2026Is this AI or just a very odd writing style. Too robotic for me to even force my way through and I rarely DNF.
July 12, 2026
THIS BOOK IS AI
July 18, 2026
ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! It’s soooo different from all other books and in a good way. I relate to so many characters. I can’t wait to read the next ones!
July 22, 2026
All the reviews for this book are accurate, this book was terrible. The writing was abismal I could not believe it
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews