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Playing Dirty: An Enemies-to-Lovers, Hockey Star Romance
Irish NHL superstar Cillian O'Rourke is used to getting exactly what he wants. The wins, the headlines, and the revolving door of women. Hockey's favorite bad boy has the whole world charmed.
Except for Margot Prescott, a sommelier at Napa Valley's Solstice Estates. She's a people-pleasing perfectionist who keeps her anxiety carefully hidden and her heart guarded by one strict rule: no athletes.
Especially not the arrogant playboy who got her fired six years ago and barely remembers her name.
But when Solstice signs Cillian as the celebrity face of their new wine label, Margot is stuck playing gracious host to the last man she'd ever choose. Bold, cocky, and impossible to ignore, he stands out like a pint of Guinness in a room full of Champagne.
A few rounds of sparring, and Cillian has met a challenge he can't skate past. Once he sets his sights on something, he doesn't quit, and her rule only sweetens the chase. From the vineyards in Napa to the pubs of Dublin, forced proximity has a way of breaking things wide open.
And when the tension between them finally snaps, it could cost Margot her heart.
Because in Cillian's world, nothing interferes with the game.
Until Margot.
From Nate Wilder, the bestselling author of the Midnight Men series, comes Playing Dirty, the scorching hot first installment in the Solstice Hearts series. This contemporary romance delivers laugh-out-loud banter, open-door spice, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after.
Solstice Hearts Series:
Book 1: Playing Dirty
Book 2: Empire Games
Book 3: Off Limits
Except for Margot Prescott, a sommelier at Napa Valley's Solstice Estates. She's a people-pleasing perfectionist who keeps her anxiety carefully hidden and her heart guarded by one strict rule: no athletes.
Especially not the arrogant playboy who got her fired six years ago and barely remembers her name.
But when Solstice signs Cillian as the celebrity face of their new wine label, Margot is stuck playing gracious host to the last man she'd ever choose. Bold, cocky, and impossible to ignore, he stands out like a pint of Guinness in a room full of Champagne.
A few rounds of sparring, and Cillian has met a challenge he can't skate past. Once he sets his sights on something, he doesn't quit, and her rule only sweetens the chase. From the vineyards in Napa to the pubs of Dublin, forced proximity has a way of breaking things wide open.
And when the tension between them finally snaps, it could cost Margot her heart.
Because in Cillian's world, nothing interferes with the game.
Until Margot.
From Nate Wilder, the bestselling author of the Midnight Men series, comes Playing Dirty, the scorching hot first installment in the Solstice Hearts series. This contemporary romance delivers laugh-out-loud banter, open-door spice, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after.
Solstice Hearts Series:
Book 1: Playing Dirty
Book 2: Empire Games
Book 3: Off Limits
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 17, 2026
About the author
Nate Wilder
36 books90 followersNate Wilder writes small-town romance—steamy, emotional, and full of the kind of chemistry that keeps you reading past midnight. A former journalist and chef, he's a devoted romance reader who believes the world needs more love, more steam, and more happily-ever-afters. He writes from Washington state, where he is supervised in all matters by his opinionated cat, Nala.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 8, 2026
Cillian and Margot
Margot is not interested in working with a professional athlete, but fate interferes. Cillian is not interested in being the face of the winery, but you already know what's going to happen. Eventually they discover they have more in common than differences. When a particular incident happens, Cillian is forced to think about his career. Margot sees Cillian for the perfect hero. Along the way, they fall in love. Excellent character development as well as family history. Wonderful beach read! Waiting for book 2. KU
Margot is not interested in working with a professional athlete, but fate interferes. Cillian is not interested in being the face of the winery, but you already know what's going to happen. Eventually they discover they have more in common than differences. When a particular incident happens, Cillian is forced to think about his career. Margot sees Cillian for the perfect hero. Along the way, they fall in love. Excellent character development as well as family history. Wonderful beach read! Waiting for book 2. KU
July 23, 2026
Loved the dynamic between Margot and Cillian. Both clearly thought little of each other until they got to know each other, then it sizzled. Great read and look forward to next book in the series. I think anything Nate Wilder writes will be amazing.
July 19, 2026
Nate Wilder SCORES with this new hockey series
I loved getting to know Margot and Cillian in this new series. The series’ locations in Napa and Dublin and Galway in Ireland are perfect settings for this love story between a beautiful sommelier and a handsome Irish hockey player. I loved the sincerity of Margot and Cillian and the spice was just right. Can’t wait to read the next installment in this series!
I loved getting to know Margot and Cillian in this new series. The series’ locations in Napa and Dublin and Galway in Ireland are perfect settings for this love story between a beautiful sommelier and a handsome Irish hockey player. I loved the sincerity of Margot and Cillian and the spice was just right. Can’t wait to read the next installment in this series!
August 15, 2026
4.5 out of 5
I adore both the hero and heroine in this book. Margot, the heroine, is a sommelier in California. We first met her in Until Our Hearts Collide where she plays a secondary character. She is in charge of an advertising campaign for an affordable wine and the spokesperson is Cillian, an Irish Canadian hockey player. She’s less than thrilled to be working with him. He’s an athlete and she doesn’t do athletes since her marriage to a pro golfer ended very badly leaving her a ton of insecurities, panic attacks and other unpleasant feelings. Also, he’s gorgeous and popular with the ladies so she figures he’s a player in more ways than one.
Cillian is a player. He’s rich, successful in his career and, well, gorgeous. He’s also very likeable and sincere and a great guy. And once he meets Margot, within a very short amount of time he’s a goner and once she gets past her preconceived notions, she sees a pretty good egg.
This book has everything I love in a romance. Mr Wilder successfully blends hockey, a sport I happen to love, into an important aspect of the story. The secondary characters are great; his teammates, her sister, friends and coworkers. And though I did get a bit frustrated with her near the end, the author did a great job in explaining her issues.
Once again I’m very impressed how well Nate Wilder, a guy in a majority female genre. He’s now a solid autobuy author and he gets my kudos, approval, recommendation and thumbs up👍.
I adore both the hero and heroine in this book. Margot, the heroine, is a sommelier in California. We first met her in Until Our Hearts Collide where she plays a secondary character. She is in charge of an advertising campaign for an affordable wine and the spokesperson is Cillian, an Irish Canadian hockey player. She’s less than thrilled to be working with him. He’s an athlete and she doesn’t do athletes since her marriage to a pro golfer ended very badly leaving her a ton of insecurities, panic attacks and other unpleasant feelings. Also, he’s gorgeous and popular with the ladies so she figures he’s a player in more ways than one.
Cillian is a player. He’s rich, successful in his career and, well, gorgeous. He’s also very likeable and sincere and a great guy. And once he meets Margot, within a very short amount of time he’s a goner and once she gets past her preconceived notions, she sees a pretty good egg.
This book has everything I love in a romance. Mr Wilder successfully blends hockey, a sport I happen to love, into an important aspect of the story. The secondary characters are great; his teammates, her sister, friends and coworkers. And though I did get a bit frustrated with her near the end, the author did a great job in explaining her issues.
Once again I’m very impressed how well Nate Wilder, a guy in a majority female genre. He’s now a solid autobuy author and he gets my kudos, approval, recommendation and thumbs up👍.
August 21, 2026
Book Hangover!! Read this Book!!!
I have read the Midnight series. I love Nate Wilder's writing and his books. This book had me from the first page. Margot and Cillian are amazing together. Fabulous characters and spice too! I cannot wait for the last Midnight book and the Solstice series.
I have read the Midnight series. I love Nate Wilder's writing and his books. This book had me from the first page. Margot and Cillian are amazing together. Fabulous characters and spice too! I cannot wait for the last Midnight book and the Solstice series.
August 25, 2026
Margot just needs to be loved
Cillian has never had someone hate his golden boy self. But Margot does....he falls first and hard I loved this story. Perfect balance of sweetness and spicy 🌶️
Cillian has never had someone hate his golden boy self. But Margot does....he falls first and hard I loved this story. Perfect balance of sweetness and spicy 🌶️
July 22, 2026
Well developed characters and a fun read!
August 9, 2026
Love this series. I wasn't sure about a guy writing but Mr wilder completely changed my way of thinking. Now I need more of his books
September 22, 2026
The heroine has anxiety and has some flare ups during the story.
I found myself skimming pages.
I found myself skimming pages.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews