Love Wants Us to Win

by Jacquelyn Middleton

Think FEVER PITCH vibes, but make it HOCKEY and SHE’S the fan.

GEORGIE ADORES HOCKEY. OLIVER HATES IT. IS LOVE A GAME THEY CAN’T WIN?

Georgie Law never gives up. Sunny, optimistic, and sentimental, the Toronto history teacher and hockey fan wants nothing more than to score a well-deserved promotion and see her beloved Maple Leafs win the Cup. But like her team, hardworking Georgie faces an uphill battle and knows nothing is guaranteed, so she puts dating and relationships on ice to focus on her goal—that is, when she’s not at the arena cheering on her Leafs. Some loves you just can’t quit.

Hockey has never warmed Oliver Jönsson’s Swedish heart. Handsome and soft-spoken, the PhD’s passion is the mysteries of ancient Egypt, which he’s spun into a successful career in London. Lectures, academic papers, fundraisers—Oliver’s at the top of his game, and his expertise earns him a position at Toronto’s most celebrated museum. There’s only one his curriculum for visiting students is dryer than the Sahara, and bad reviews are flooding in. Oliver desperately needs help or he’ll be back in Britain faster than he can say King Tut.

When a chance encounter brings Georgie and Oliver together, they team up, hoping to net her promotion and save his job. But as friendship turns to romance, Georgie’s passion for the Leafs and Oliver’s secret past threaten to unravel their intimate bond. Can the hockey-hating Swede and the die-hard fan win their happily ever after?

Set in early ’90s Toronto and brimming with nostalgia, LOVE WANTS US TO WIN is a fun, flirty love story for the most hopeful of romantics.

Genres: Romance, Canada, Hockey

464 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 8, 2026

About the author

Award-winning author Jacquelyn Middleton's books are "sexy and overflowing with hope" (Hypable) with "…the kind of sweet nothings hopeless romantics die for." (Kirkus Reviews) and …"identifiable and emotionally connective characters who readers can’t help but root for." (BlueInk Review).

Jacquelyn writes love stories for hopeful romantics—'hopeful' because her novels are always optimistic and she believes 'happily ever afters' are more important now than ever before. But life is messy, relationships are messy, and her books aren't afraid to go there, too. If you enjoy character and relationship-driven stories about people dealing with the triumphs and disasters we all face, Jacquelyn’s books are for you.

In 2019, she was named BEST CANADIAN AUTHOR at the RWA's Toronto Romance Writers 'Northern Hearts' Awards for UNTIL THE LAST STAR FADES. She is also the author of LONDON BELONGS TO ME, LONDON, CAN YOU WAIT?, SAY HELLO, KISS GOODBYE, and the Christmas in London romance, THE CERTAINTY OF CHANCE, which earned a coveted Kirkus starred review and had Entertainment Weekly raving, naming it to their list of the best holiday romances of 2021.

An own voices author, Jacquelyn has dealt with anxiety, panic attacks, and depression all her life, and is dedicated to depicting mental health challenges honestly, realistically, and empathetically in her novels.

Jacquelyn's books have been featured by The Hollywood Reporter, NBC News, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Daily News, USA Today, Cosmo, Redbook, the Huffington Post, and Entertainment Weekly.

Stay in touch! Visit Jacquelyn on Instagram and share her love of books.

Sign up to her newsletter for book updates and contests, join her drama-free Facebook group Keeganites United where members take part in her popular online romance book club, get the inside scoop on early book news, and have the chance to enter exclusive contests, and follow her on Book Bub for book deals and announcements.

Reviews

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

4.25🌟 | 2.5🌶️

Friends-to-lovers, mutual pining, and a hero who supports his girl’s hockey obsession? Oliver was winning me over from the start!

His bookish personality and sweet, slightly quirky nature made him such a charming love interest, and watching his friendship with Georgie slowly turn into something more was a treat.

Georgie’s passion for hockey was so much fun, and I appreciated how unapologetically she embraced something she loved. Oliver might not share her enthusiasm for the sport, but his willingness to understand it meant so much. I also liked seeing Georgie navigate her teaching career and personal struggles while learning to make room for love without losing herself along the way.

The Toronto nostalgia added plenty of charm, while the attention to hockey and Canadian culture made the story feel wonderfully distinctive. Beyond the setting, though, it was the natural progression of Georgie and Oliver’s relationship that kept me invested.

Their sweet moments, growing understanding, and supportive dynamic made this a lovely romance about finding someone who celebrates the things that make you you.

~~~~

A sincere thank you to Jacquelyn Middleton and Love Notes PR for the ARC! 🥰📚

I’m so grateful for the early read. As always, all thoughts and opinions are completely my own. ✨

[Jamie]

Thank you to LoveNotes PR for the opportunity to read this early.

Soft-DNFing for now since I can't get into it but am still interested. I did really enjoy the Canadian aspects from what I had read, though.

[Victoria · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

3.75 but rounded to 4.

Thank you Love Notes PR and Jacquelyn Middleton for the eARC!
This book is set in 1992/1993 Toronto, I appreciate the author’s notes at the beginning discussing Canadian terms and history bc this Texan doesn’t know a lot about the Great White North.
I’ve read several books by this author before and always enjoy her work! I was excited to see when she was putting out a 90s Canadian hockey story!
Third POV, I usually prefer first person but I adore Jacquelyn and love her writing. LWUTW is very centered around hockey as the FMC is a lifelong fan! I was excited to learn more about the sport; I’ve picked up some information from the Olympics and other books. On another note, I can’t say I’ve tried mms in popcorn, although I’ve heard mentions of it, and now I’m DYING to try it! I adore Georgie’s personality and can’t decide if I want to be her or her best friend!

I finished this book the day after our wedding anniversary, which is dated in the book and so special!

[Marian.]

I understand what the author was trying to do, but after reading about 40% of the book, I feel like she spent more time explaining every little detail about the 90's than about the characters. To be honest, that bored me a little—I like explanations, but not that much—and it made me sad because the cover is beautiful.

[FER · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is going to be the most personal five-star book review because this read felt like being home, if home is a hockey arena and loving a team that consistently breaks your heart. In LOVE WANTS US TO WIN, Georgie's home is Maple Leaf Gardens, and her team is the Toronto Maple Leafs. My home–don't judge me right away–was The Great Western Forum, and my team is the Los Angeles Kings. That's instantly going to mean something to other hockey history buffs picking up this book, especially considering this takes place during the 1992-93 hockey season.

Before I stray too far into my own nostalgia, let me tell you why you will love this book even if you're not a hockey fan. Georgie and Oliver are the absolute sweetest. Georgie's passion for hockey and her Maple Leafs is outmatched only by the loyalty she has to friends and family. She is a ride-or-die bestie, an empathetic educator, and a fierce advocate for equity. Oliver is a shy boy who carries old hurts, yet is still so giving and kind, with a big open heart. He is one of the greenest green flag book boyfriends you're going to meet. Together they make an adorable couple of seeming opposites, but as they fall in love you see how they make a perfectly balanced pair.

I highly recommend this also for readers wanting an immersive experience. The time and setting are made real by anchoring every chapter to a specific day and citing the actual progression of the Toronto Maple Leafs 1992-93 season. The level of detail too is beyond researched, its lived authenticity down to era specific tech, songs and movies, and local landmarks. It really felt like I was sitting in the greys with Georgie at the Gardens, in a booth at the pancake house with Oliver, and at the bar with the Leafs fans at McNally's. 

Now I am ready to be vulnerable. I discovered hockey in 1992, which means my first hockey everythings happened right alongside the exact timeline of LOVE WANTS US TO WIN. I was nine years old in Southern California watching Los Angeles Kings hockey on Prime Ticket from the living room of my family's tiny two bedroom rental home. I watched the Kings' historical playoff run, including the Campbell Conference Final match-up against the Toronto Maple Leafs with all the excitement of a freshly born fan, but without the critical knowing of the fortysomething veteran I am today. This shared "canon event" experience told from the opposite side of the blue line is exactly why I was so eager to read this book.

I have to proceed carefully from here on out though because I want to avoid all possible spoilers, but with my whole heart I want you to know how happy I am for Georgie's victories as a fan and in life. For her authentic self to be cherished, loved, and cared for. For her dreams to come true. And that word, that tiny beautiful hopeful word–dreams–hits so close to home. I want to share a portion of my journal entry from June 12, 2012 that captures what this book means to me.

"It seems like a lifetime since I was that little nine-year-old. I want to tell her and each kid today that watched their team not make it far enough that it’s worth the wait. That you’ll remember the kid you are now and relive all the heartache in an instant and be awash in the new victory. And you will scream, and laugh, and cry, and have no words. No words adequate enough to describe it. You can go to sleep tonight not having to dream anymore."

Today I'd like to add: To all the Georgies, keep your elbows up. Keep taking up space. Keep demanding accountability from the league, franchises, and players. Make your own community. Protect the most vulnerable among us. And dream and hope and be-Leaf because love wants you to win.

All my thanks to Jacquelyn Middleton. You wrote Georgie for me and every hockey fan that has ever felt othered. I'll cherish her story forever.

Thank you to the author and Love Notes PR for the advanced digital copy to read and review.

[Tiffany ✨️ Bergamot Book Reviews · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Thank you to Love Notes PR for the complementary advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As someone who has suffered from migraines for most of my adult life, this book absolutely called to me. I love that very early on we get incredibly realistic representation of what it's like to suffer from migraines. The aura, vision loss, debilitating pain, and residual suffering was very representative of how it feels that I felt SO seen. I also loved how nostalgic this was on so many levels. As someone of advancing age, many references and details felt like a blast to the past - unfortunately that also felt true for the inherent workplace misogyny. It was so odd for this to feel current in a way, but also to feel like I was being dragged back in a time where women couldn't really call out men's clubs in workplace environments, and had way less opportunities to speak up and be heard than we do now (even though we still have the same issues.)

In some ways, that made this book more stressful than I anticipated, and along with a lot of the intense details around Toronto, it started to pull the pacing to a hard drag. I found myself reading a few chapters, getting overwhelmed, and choosing to put it down, despite how much I wanted to love the characters. I think if this had more focus on the love story itself, and less on everything else surrounding them, I would have had more investment overall. Either way, it was still a good story! It just wasn't what I was expecting, and didn't end up captivating me in the way that I had hoped.

[Amanda (amanda.always.reading) Magdic · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a hockey girl and long time migraine sufferer I was so excited to be selected as an advanced reader for "Love Wants Us To Win" and Jax Middleton didn't disappoint. As an unfortunate member of the migraine club herself, I've never felt more seen in a book when she writes Georgie in an attack. Aura is a big symptom for me, especially visual and her descriptions were spot on. Outside of shared medical complaints with Georgie I loved how absolutely unapologetically herself she was. From her love of hockey, to her passion for history and teaching, she was a character you couldn't not love and get behind.

And sweet sweet Oliver. He was such a green flag. Your heart broke for the little boy who grew up without his dad. And I loved watching him discover all the wonderful things Canada had to offer. From beavertails, to timbits, and everything in between. And how he loved and accepted Gerogie for all her quirks and not in spite of them. They were such a perfect match.

And being set in the 90'a was such a nostalgia trip. Add in the touches of Egypt and Georgie's loveable friend group and I didn't want to put this book down. It was also refreshing to get a spin on a sports romance without an athlete as the MC (technically speaking, I know Georgie played as a child). It just shows when written right you don't need a testosterone filled jock to meet the genre.

Thank you so much to the author and LoveNotesPR for my copy in return for an honest review!!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Georgie and Oliver are adorable. They felt very real to me, maybe because of the Toronto setting. Growing up in Southern Ontario in the 1990’s I can clearly picture so many of the references in the book. MuchMusic, Speaker’s Corners, Maple Leaf Gardens, references to the SkyDome and the Blue Jays World Series wins, Eaton’s and the CNE scored major nostalgia points for me.

It’s fun to read about introducing people to all sorts of Canadian foods, but Beaver Tails/Elephant Ears are gross. I have also carried that tradition forward with also strongly disliking the famous Thunder Bay Persians too. However, you can never go wrong with poutine.

Watching them come together and figure out how their lives intertwine as well as how they remain as individuals was so well written, and I loved how it all wrapped up in the end.

[Lowri Jones · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

Thank you to Love Notes PR for the ARC!

A cute 90s romance with all the sports atmosphere, family vibes and romantic charm you could ask for.

I love a sports romance, but you don’t necessarily need an athlete MMC to get me invested. Give me the sporting world, the community, the family dynamics and that feeling of being part of something bigger, and I’m sold.

As someone with a hockey season ticket, the family and community side of this story really hit the nail on the head for me.

This book is for the readers who love a little 90s nostalgia, sports in the background and a romance with heart.

[Alia · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

⭐️ARC Review⭐️

Thank you Love Notes PR and Jacquelyn Middleton for this ARC!

A sweet romance story set in Toronto during the 90s. Made my heart melt so many times! 🫠

All the Toronto aspects of this story made this so much fun to read!

💙 If you love a book set in Toronto, this book is for you!
💙 If you love an MMC who is the sweetest most green flag thing ever, this book is for you!
💙 If you love an FMC who LOVES hockey (the Maple Leafs specifically), this book is for you!

[Sarah (TheLibrarysKeeper) · Rating 2 out of 5]

A huge thank you to the author and LoveNotes PR for sending an ARC my way. 

When I read the blurb for this one I was swooning in anticipation for hopes of reading this one. Hockey? The 90s? Migraine representation? Yes!

The book is centered around Georgie, a history teacher and die hard hockey fan and Oliver an archeologist/egyptologist. They meet by chance when Georgies class is visiting the museum.

However, the pace of the book just dragged for me. Im not entirely sure I would have finished it if I had read it on my own and not as an ARC. It felt more like a nostalgia dump of Toronto in the 90s and a love letter to the Leafs than a romcom/romance between the two main characters. I am positive there is an audience for this but unfortunately I am not it.

[Booked on Lattes · Rating 3 out of 5]

POV: Dual
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5

That cover and that it was an early 90s reverse fever pitch but with hockey made me have to read this one! I did really enjoy Georgie’s character and appreciated the migraine representation and her and Oliver were cute together.

However, I really felt like this story was less of a romance and more of a “historical” book about Toronto, and there was just so much talking between so many characters that really wasn’t important to the story and I found myself skipping a lot. It picked up in the last 80 percent of the book and I found myself enjoying the end.

[Robin | BookAdoration Marchadour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Wants Us to Win is a flirty friends to lovers romance where she is a huge hockey fan and he’s a history nerd. Let me tell you, the storyline of Georgie the teacher who keeps getting turned down for a promotion is a real thing! I see it time and time again with female teachers who are extremely qualified getting turned down for positions that are filled by much less qualified males. It’s maddening! I loved the hockey element to this story and Georgie’s passion for the game. Who says girls can’t be super fans too?! If you enjoy contemporary romances with sports representation, give this one a go!

Thank you to Love Notes PR for the advanced digital copy.

[Christine Becker · Rating 1.5 out of 5]

I couldn’t finish this book. I felt like I was reading fan fiction for Toronto with a little plot thrown in. I gave up at 30% when almost nothing had happened in the story.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[Louise Hall · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC received via NetGalley.

I really don't like writing negative reviews especially when the book was written by one of my favourite authors but even though I'd been really excited to read Love Wants Us to Win, I didn't enjoy it.

I'm going to start with what I did like: the nostalgia of the 1990s setting, the grief representation because both of the MCs have lost a parent and as a female football fan, I could really empathise with how passionate Georgie is about the Toronto Maple Leafs and the misogyny she experiences.

The problem is that I feel like the author was so focused on accurately portraying what Toronto was like in the early 1990s that it felt more like a travel guide and distracted from the plot.

I did like Georgie and Oliver as characters but unfortunately I never really bought into their romance so when they were intimate, I found it cringeworthy.

[Isabella Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5
SPICE: 🌶️ 1/5



🏒 I REGRET TO INFORM EVERYONE THAT WE HAVE A PROBLEM.

A HOCKEY ROMANCE.

THREE STARS.

THREE. STARS.

SOMEONE ALERT THE NHL. CONTACT THE COMMISSIONER. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE AN OFFICIAL COMPLAINT.

And before anyone asks, no, it’s not because the book takes place in Canada.

ALTHOUGH I AM WILLING TO CONSIDER THAT THEORY IF NECESSARY. 🇨🇦😂

Jacquelyn Middleton gave us hockey, a charming Swedish academic, a spirited heroine, and an early-’90s Toronto setting.

On paper?

ADORABLE.

In execution?

Well…

Three stars, one pepper, and the unfortunate realization that not every hockey-adjacent romance is destined to become my next literary obsession.

Let’s discuss Georgie Law.

Our girl LOVES hockey.

And I mean LOVES IT.

She’s a devoted Toronto Maple Leafs fan, a history teacher, and an eternal optimist who’s determined to keep chasing the things that matter to her.

A promotion?

YES, PLEASE.

A Stanley Cup for her beloved Leafs?

GIRL, I ADMIRE YOUR COMMITMENT TO HOPE IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY.

She works hard, cares deeply, and refuses to stop believing that good things are possible.

Honestly, that optimism is endearing.

Especially because life keeps making her work for absolutely everything.

And then we have Oliver Jönsson.

Handsome.

Swedish.

Highly educated.

Passionate about ancient Egypt.

And approximately as interested in hockey as I am in voluntarily attending a seminar on tax law.

SIR. WE NEED TO DISCUSS YOUR PRIORITIES.

Because this man can probably explain the intricacies of Egyptian burial practices while half asleep, but apparently the appeal of watching grown men chase a puck around the ice completely escapes him.

OLIVER, BABES. THE MEN ARE ON SKATES. THERE’S DRAMA. THERE’S VIOLENCE. OCCASIONALLY SOMEONE LOSES A TOOTH.

WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED?!

Oliver has built an impressive academic career, but his position at a Toronto museum is threatened when his educational presentations fail to connect with visiting students.

Apparently being brilliant doesn’t automatically make you an engaging teacher.

WHO KNEW CHILDREN DIDN’T WANT TO LISTEN TO A HUMAN ENCYCLOPEDIA FOR AN ENTIRE AFTERNOON?!

Enter Georgie.

She knows how to connect with students, while Oliver has the academic expertise.

They each have something the other needs.

And suddenly, an unlikely partnership begins developing into something considerably more personal.

I genuinely liked that premise.

Two intelligent people with very different interests learning from each other?

A woman who lives and breathes hockey falling for a man who would rather spend his afternoon with ancient artifacts?

THAT’S THE KIND OF OPPOSITES-ATTRACT NONSENSE I CAN GET BEHIND.

And I appreciated that Georgie’s enthusiasm wasn’t portrayed as something she needed to abandon to become more appealing to Oliver.

She’s passionate.

She’s sentimental.

She’s allowed to care about her team.

WE SUPPORT WOMEN WHO HAVE HOBBIES AND REFUSE TO APOLOGIZE FOR THEM.

I also liked that the characters had professional ambitions outside the romance.

Georgie wants recognition for her dedication and hard work.

Oliver wants to prove he belongs in his new position.

And their partnership allows them to challenge each other in ways that have nothing to do with romantic attraction.

That’s a lovely foundation for a relationship.

But here’s where things became a little less exciting for me.

THE PACING.

OH, THE PACING.

Because while the early-’90s Toronto atmosphere and historical references were interesting, there were moments when the surrounding detail seemed to take precedence over the actual love story.

And listen, I appreciate a well-researched setting.

I love when an author makes a place feel authentic.

But eventually, I want to spend more time becoming emotionally invested in the couple than mentally organizing a historical walking tour.

BABES, I CAME FOR ROMANCE. HOW DID I END UP ENROLLED IN CANADIAN CULTURAL STUDIES?!

The nostalgia certainly has its charm.

The hockey culture, the early-’90s references, and the historical atmosphere create a distinctive backdrop.

But I found myself wishing the narrative would move a little faster and allow Georgie and Oliver’s relationship to take center stage more consistently.

Because there’s a difference between a richly detailed world and one that occasionally overshadows the very story it’s supposed to support.

And for me, this leaned a little too far toward the latter.

Another interesting element was the depiction of workplace sexism and the obstacles Georgie encounters while pursuing her promotion.

Those challenges fit the period and give her professional journey meaningful stakes.

But they also add a more frustrating, serious layer to a book that initially sounds like a lighthearted, nostalgic romance.

SOMETIMES I JUST WANT TO WATCH A WOMAN FALL IN LOVE WITHOUT HAVING TO CONTEMPLATE THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF WORKPLACE INEQUALITY.

That doesn’t mean those themes shouldn’t be explored.

They absolutely deserve space.

I just wanted a better balance between the heavier material, the period detail, and the romantic development.

The inclusion of chronic migraines and their effects on daily life also adds a thoughtful dimension to the story.

I appreciate when health challenges are portrayed as genuine experiences rather than convenient plot devices.

It’s another way the book attempts to give its characters and their world more depth.

But again, there was simply a LOT happening around the romance.

And I never became quite as invested in Georgie and Oliver as I’d hoped.

WHICH IS PARTICULARLY OFFENSIVE WHEN THERE’S HOCKEY INVOLVED.

Now, I should clarify something.

This wasn’t a bad book.

The premise was charming, the setting had personality, and there were worthwhile themes involving ambition, vulnerability, and learning to appreciate someone whose interests differ from your own.

But it wasn’t one of those romances that had me desperately flipping pages, giggling at my Kindle, or emotionally preparing adoption paperwork for the male lead.

AND YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I ENJOY ADOPTING FICTIONAL MEN WITH COMPLICATED PERSONALITIES.

Sometimes a book can be perfectly pleasant without becoming unforgettable.

And that’s exactly where this one landed for me.

I didn’t hate it.

I didn’t regret reading it.

But am I immediately planning a reread?

NOT EXACTLY.

And that’s okay.

Not every romance needs to become a lifelong commitment.

Sometimes it’s just a nice little literary date that doesn’t lead to a second one.

FINAL VERDICT:

Three stars and one pepper for a nostalgic, hockey-filled opposites-attract romance with an interesting setting and two intelligent, career-driven characters.

Love Wants Us to Win explores ambition, connection, personal struggles, and the possibility of finding love with someone who sees the world differently.

There were things I appreciated, particularly Georgie’s enthusiasm and the unusual pairing of a hockey superfan with a Swedish Egyptologist.

But the slower pacing, extensive background detail, and balance between the romance and its surrounding themes kept it from becoming a favorite.

Jacquelyn Middleton delivered a story with heart. It simply didn’t quite score the winning goal for me.

Now, Oliver?

I RESPECT YOUR LOVE OF ANCIENT EGYPT.

But perhaps consider attending ONE hockey game without acting like someone has sentenced you to archaeological exile.

And Georgie, darling?

Keep cheering for your Leafs.

Keep chasing your dreams.

And never apologize for loving something wholeheartedly.

THREE STARS. ONE PEPPER. AND ONE VERY CONFUSED SWEDISH MAN WHO WOULD APPARENTLY RATHER DATE A MUMMY THAN WATCH THE STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS. 🏒🇨🇦




Tropes: Hockey-Fan Romance • Opposites Attract • Friends to Lovers • Slow Burn • Academic MMC • Career-Driven FMC • 1990s Nostalgia • Emotional Healing

[Shelby Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC read of Love Wants Us to Win.

The detail in this book was incredible. It really brought the 90’s to life with references not only to store names and world/hockey facts, but with everyday snippets such as landlines, transportation, foods and shopping availability. Mentioning leaving messages on machines to get a hold of one another, the VCR cart in school and how coffee might be the “next big thing”. The care that the author took when describing how the characters moved and interacted, the continuity of how they handled a bouquet of flowers throughout their date, velvet dresses and the detail that went into the play-by-play of the hockey was well done. This is not a sports romance where you forget which sport it’s about - the hockey in this one is front and center throughout.

Oliver and Georgie are both cute. He’s fairly feminine - there isn’t a trace of toxic masculinity or butch behaviour in him. He’s fun and bookish, lonely, quiet yet also a bit outgoing with singing/dancing/cheering in public. I really liked the beginning of the book when he’s pining for Georgie, and every mention of his grin.

Georgie is outgoing and independent but still a girly-girl. She lives and breathes hockey, and seems to only hang out with other people equally obsessed. I’m just going to say it…. I didn’t like her friends. The book puts a lot of time into getting the reader to know her friends, their dynamic, their role in her life - and I feel like we’re supposed to love them - but I just didn’t. To be fair… short of also being a Canadian woman, I don’t have much in common with Georgie either.

Some of the dialogue felt a bit stiff. Sentences were structured a bit unnaturally, there was judgement in the way they said things, there was some passive-aggressiveness due to feminism, and just the vocabulary and words didn’t flow smoothly if you read them out loud. Not the whole book - just bits and pieces from Georgie and Oliver.

This book is a cute read. The romance has natural ups and downs, their lives each have natural highs and lows, they have history that gets in the way at times… there was pining, and longing, and sweet kisses and handholding, there was spice (a few scenes - not a lot, and had a lot of checking in with each other and making sure they were okay often). The best part about this book (for me at least) was just the dive back into the 90’s and reading about a life without cellphones or home computers or online dating.

[Kaley · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Originally reviewed at Books Etc.

Jacquelyn Middleton is one of my auto-read authors. Her books always have Big Emotions with characters who could easily be your friends. Her latest is Love Wants Us to Win which is a love letter to Toronto in the 90s and the Toronto Maple Leafs. I liked it (though I expected to love it) and think those who are looking for a nostalgic read will really enjoy this one.

One of the best things about Middleton’s books is the representation she includes. She often shines a (much-needed) light on mental and physical health. In Love Wants Us to Win, Georgie has debilitating migraines. It’s important for everyone to know that a migraine isn’t just a bad headache and reading about it in novels is a great way to educate folks. In an ironic twist, this review is overdue because I was hit with a migraine myself that caused a major backlog in my reading. It’s no fun and I’m so glad Middleton chose to feature a character with migraines in her book.

Georgie and Oliver were total history nerds and I loved it! I really liked that they were not only so passionate about history but also about inspiring others to love it. There was just something so refreshing about this and it made me want to visit a museum or two!

No book is perfect and there were a few things about this one that I’d be remiss not to mention in my review. I did enjoy my overall reading experience and would still recommend this one to romance readers who want deep emotions of all kinds in their books. I found this book to be too long. Goodreads notes it’s 462 pages which is just too much. There were scenes and snippets that I felt could have been edited out. Sometimes the nostalgia factor got to be too much and I felt like Middleton was cramming too many references into the book just because she could. While this isn’t quite historical fiction (the rule of thumb is usually 50 years in the past, not 32) the same rules should apply: just because you have the research and the details about certain things or events, doesn’t mean it belongs in the book.

This is a very slow burn relationship. It takes until maybe halfway through the book before Georgie and Oliver even consider acting on their feelings for each other. And even when they do, they don’t get a ton of date night time together. I also really didn’t like the minor misunderstanding they have right before they finally admit they like each other. Georgie is allowed to feel her feelings, but her anger at Oliver for not letting her know that he was busier than he said he’d be and couldn’t stop by the diner for breakfast, when he had said he might? And not even giving him a second to explain? That really bothered me and was hard to come back from.

Finally, we have to talk about the hockey, since the Toronto Maple Leafs are basically a third member in Georgie and Oliver’s relationship. I’m a sports fan, though I watch more baseball than anything else, so I really appreciated that Middleton didn’t shy away from what it’s like to be a female fan. Spoiler: it’s not great. It was nice, though, to think about how now, in 2026, young girls are able to watch women play professional hockey and play in their own leagues. We still have a lot of work to do but the changes we’re seeing already is promising.

Grab your popcorn and M&M’s and cozy up with the latest romance from Canadian author Jacquelyn Middleton. The snack choice will make sense once you get into Love Wants Us to Win, trust me! Hopefully you’ll fall in love with these characters and be completely swept up in Leafs mania (and 90s nostalgia) while rooting for a Happily Ever After between Georgie and Oliver.

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the author via Love Notes PR in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

[Melting Into Fiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

A huge thanks to Love Notes PR & Jacquelyn Middleton for the eARC to this '90s hockey romance.

The book was filled with so much nostalgia, especially for someone like myself, who grew up near the city in that era. All the nods to former Toronto spots like, World’s Biggest Bookstore, Sam the Record Man & Speaker’s Corner felt really special. My late grandpa lived across from Speaker’s Corner & we used to visit him often. I was always strolling around the city & checking out many of the places mentioned. I’m pretty sure my love for books originated from World’s Biggest Bookstore! Suffice to say, I was filled with fond memories as I read this novel.

Echoing the author’s own love for the Leafs, Georgie’s passion for the team & sport was so refreshing. Her connection to the sport through her late father was touching & I loved that she discovered her own found family - thanks to hockey. Sports truly does bring people together! The book’s timeline mirroring the Leafs’ '93 season was a fun touch.

I appreciated how thoughtful the author was about including migraine disease representation through Georgie. While mine aren't nearly as bad as hers, I know just how debilitating it can be - sometimes having to drop everything just to deal with it. So, I could really relate to her experiences throughout the story.

The story showed that opposites do attract & can maintain a healthy relationship even if you don’t share similar hobbies. Despite not being a hockey fan, Oliver made the effort to learn more about it knowing how much it meant to Georgie. Not only did it show Georgie what it was like to have a supportive partner, but it made him appreciate her passion.

Beyond hockey & Toronto nods, this book shows its appreciation to educators. The amount of effort that Georgie poured into her job was so admirable - even if it wasn’t always appreciated by those around her.

This novel is a true love letter to Torontonians, educators & hockey lovers alike! While a romance was brewing throughout, the story was a welcome blast from the past & a fun trip down memory lane!

[Jaclyn · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

All so super sweet and adorable and feel-good. A story of so much love, not just between the two leads, but also for Toronto in the 90s, for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and for the sport of hockey in general. Oliver is the sweetest guy ever. Is there anything sexier than a man who washes your hair for you when you're not feeling well? No, I didn't think so. :-)

As someone who moved to Toronto in the early 2000s, it was fun to see familiar routes and landmarks, and also notice things that have changed. When it comes to hockey, I'm much closer to an Oliver than an Georgie (though I love screaming my lungs out at sports events, so I don't think I'll be quietly chowing down on Twizzlers either X'D ), but I love how supportive he is of her super-fandom. :-) People who yuck other people's yum are very much a huge personal ick to me, so even more reason to love Oliver. :-)

I also found Oliver and Georgie's shy and awkward "do you like me? check yes or no" type energy super cute. Their first kiss was super adorable. As a Torontonian, I admit that I had to force myself not to think of the dirty floors and crowds likely pushing up against them. But overall, the moment was just so sweet that I was more than determined to suspend my disbelief about how romantic the reality must have been. :-)

Lots of scenes take place at hockey games, and there's a lot of historical detail that I like to think the author (a self-professed Leafs fan herself) enjoyed researching for this. There's a scene in particular that made me pick up my phone and look up what had actually happened. That in turn led to me into a mini-rabbit hole of research into hockey history, and what I learned made me laugh. I love this book. :-)

Overall, I loved Oliver and Georgie, and I was happy for their journey towards their happily-ever-after. And to no surprise of anyone who knows me, I'm especially glad that Ringo the raccoon and Waffles the basset hound were part of that HEA. :-)

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who lived in Toronto in 1992, and as a migraine sufferer, this book touched on two very different types of realities for me...first, how great it was to live in this wonderful city at that time and, second, how migraine disorder can be be swept aside by so many and classified as simply "a headache". Both of these topics were written very well into this story.

The author did a great job of placing me right back in the 90's and of reminding me of all the wonderful locations throughout the city that I (and the characters) loved. She wove all of the things that make Toronto so captivating into the fabric of this story and made it all that much more enjoyable. Watching her characters, Georgie and Oliver, enjoy the things I did back then - in the very places that I enjoyed them - brought with it such sweet nostalgia. I enjoyed the friendship and the sweet banter between these two and loved watching it grow into more. This was a slow burn story so the author definitely made us all work for it but it was worth it in the end. The secondary characters were also fun and added to my enjoyment of the book. The one thing about this story that could be looked at as both a positive and (potentially) a negative is the focus on Georgie's extreme love for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Although I really liked that she, as a woman, knew so much about the game and was so invested in the team, I also felt that some of the large amounts of information around players and team dynamics took me away from the actual romance at times. The team was another character in the book - one that, for me, could have taken up a little less space. Ultimately, however, that did not affect my enjoyment of the book too much and I liked being a part of Georgie and Oliver's story.

This is my first book by this author but it won't be my last.

[Emmy Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a funny, emotional and super nostalgic read. And it hit really close to home since I, much like the author, live in Toronto and the excitement for hockey season is so insane here. I also love how everything was in the Canadian spellings it’s such a beautiful sight for sore eyes (not to hate on American spellings but it gets me confused sometimes). But to the actual book, I adored it because it’s every bit the fun, laugh out loud romcom but had lots of depth to it as well. They have a whole co-workers to lovers type relationship that starts as this mutually beneficial agreement and becomes so much more. And them hiding their crushes on each other like shy middle schoolers was so cute. Their relationships is also incredibly healthy, minus a little blip they go through at the end, and they’re so supportive of each other my heart felt like it wanted to burst. I love my nerds so Oliver already won massive points in the fictional man department but he seriously won my heart with this one line “If you love it that much, why not? Georgie, there’s no need to censor yourself around me.” In this book she’s the huge hockey fan and I love how enthusiastic she is about it. But as a fellow fangirl myself, not of hockey though, we get a terribly bad rep and are often judged for doing something we love. And as someone’s who’s been told by a guy “maybe you’d get a boyfriend if you stopped fangirling so much” the way Oliver just supports what makes Georgie happy even though he hates hockey, healed some part of my heart. Their love for each other is so incredibly vibrant you can’t help but be happy when reading this. This whole thing was beautifully written and really spoke to me to the point that I was crying at the end. It was amazing and I give it a 5/5

[Pretty Girls Playbook · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

⭐ 3.75/5

first, a huge thank you to Jacquelyn Middleton for reaching out and providing me with an advanced copy of Love Wants Us to Win! as someone who loves both hockey and romance novels, i was genuinely excited to pick this one up, especially with its setting during the 1992–93 NHL season.

the story follows georgie, a lifelong toronto maple leafs fan whose love for hockey is incredible, and oliver, a history enthusiast who doesn't quite share her obsession with the sport. what begins as an unlikely friendship gradually develops into something more! one thing I really appreciated was the attention to detail throughout the story. it's clear how much thought and research went into bringing this particular period to life, from the hockey season itself to the music, pop culture, and local toronto references. as a lifelong los angeles kings fan, i loved revisiting a season that holds such an important place in both franchises histories. there was something so fun about experiencing that era from the perspective of a leafs fan!

i loved having a female main character whose love for hockey wasn't treated as something unusual or something she needed to justify. Georgie is knowledgeable, passionate, and completely unapologetic about being a fan. as someone who grew up around hockey, i always enjoy seeing women represented as genuine sports fans rather than simply being introduced to the game through a romantic interest. this book has a lot to offer readers who love hockey history, the 1990s, and a friends to lovers romance.

thank you again to Jacquelyn Middleton and LoveNotes PR for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy!

[Mariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s always extremely difficult for me to review a book I adored, but I’ll do my best to explain how amazing Love Wants Us to Win was to read.
Meet Georgie, a history teacher who loves hockey and isn't looking for a relationship. She’s after a big promotion and is busy enough attending the Leafs’ games. Until she meets Oliver, a museum curator who hates hockey. In Oliver, she finds someone who listens to her, cheers for her, and cares about her too. In Georgie, Oliver meets a brilliant woman who amazes him.
The setting couldn’t be better. I love reading books set in different cities because I love knowing new places and cultures even through books. And the 90s setting made it feel like one of those rom-coms that shaped my love for the genre. I might have just been a toddler in 1992, but reading this book made me feel as if I were there. Jacquelyn did an amazing job depicting the 90s feel through the pages of this story. And through her words, it’s clear that she loved these characters and this story, because it makes you love them too.
The romance part was SO sweet, but not overly. Both characters are lovely, and they had great chemistry. It also has the perfect mix of fun moments, drama, romantic scenes, and spice. And I highly value finding that in books. The secondary characters were very interesting too. Although I admit that I wanted to throw my Kindle at some of those characters’ heads at certain points.
I was so invested in the story that I felt genuinely sad and happy for Georgie and Oliver at different times, and even when I couldn’t stop reading, I did not want it to be over. It was that good.
So, if you like classic 90s rom-coms, cinnamon roll MMC’s, and sweet but spicy love stories, THIS book is for you.

*I was grateful for the migraine representation. As a woman who has had migraine since high school, it feels great to feel understood and to find a story that talks loudly about it.

DRC received via Love Notes PR

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the nostalgia in Love Wants Us to Win by Jacquelyn Middleton, and it's Canadian nostalgia at that! This slow burn, dual POV romance follows Georgie, a high school history teacher, and Oliver, a PhD who works at a museum in the Egypt exhibit, through their everyday lives in 1992/1993 Toronto.

The setting was so much fun to revisit. Between the fashion (Georgie's velvet dress), the food (Mmmarvelous Mmmuffins), the music (MuchMusic), the hockey, and the technology (answering machines and payphones), I was right back in my tween/teen years in the Toronto suburbs. I especially loved that Georgie is such an enthusiastic hockey fan. Hockey is huge in Canada, and it was great to see a woman who loves the game portrayed as a natural part of that culture.

I was rooting for Georgie and Oliver from the very beginning. They only have a short time together before Oliver moves back to London, and that ticking clock added so much tension. Their relationship is a slow burn with plenty of yearning, and Oliver is such a great partner, especially in how he takes care of Georgie. The dual POV let me see both sides of the relationship, which made the love story even better.

As a fellow migraine sufferer, I also appreciated seeing a character who deals with migraines. They are so much more than just a headache, and it felt affirming to see that reflected on the page.

If you enjoy slow burn romance, dual POV storytelling, or a trip back to the early 90s, this one is worth picking up. It's especially fun for Canadian readers, but the sweetness of Georgie and Oliver's love story should land with any romance fan.

4 stars. I received a free ARC from NetGalley.

[Rogue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a ride down memory lane!!! I requested this Arc because I thought it would be neat to read a book set in my hometown, about a team I grew up surrounded by…and I was not disappointed. I was overwhelmed by the nostalgia this book brought me. Set in Toronto in 1993 , Georgie a Maple leafs fan falls for a total opposite of a leafs fan, Oliver hates hockey. I found the characters relatable, the story original, and really rooted for these two throughout the story, them ending up together was more likely than the Leafs bringing us home the cup 🤣 ( or is it??)

The nostalgia in this book is what really got me though. Twice she mentioned the teenage mutant ninja turtles and in the ‘90s my Dad’s cousin was one of the cartoonists for this hit show. The littlest Hobo was mentioned and back then my Dad was the tv editor for that show! Things like the Blue jays parade which I attended and Blockbuster video was a regular part of each weekend. They rented The Cutting Edge!! I had such a crush on D B Sweeney when this movie came out! TOE PICK!!! I could smell the perfume counter at the Bay when they passed it and I legit drooled when the Potato Rösti from Marche was mentioned.

All that to say really the nostalgia made this book feel like home, like an old friend I was revisiting. It made the story so enjoyable to me as it ignited so many old memories.

The only negative for me was too much swearing. It wasn’t extreme but I would just prefer less. Otherwise the book was great! An easy 4 ⭐️’s

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC review
Anecdotal thoughts while reading
Georgie history teacher
Eden = fun sized bestie
Tingling then Blamo!
Good 'ol boys club 😡
Dr. Jonsson, Oliver, was a bit late to the mummy party. 😔
Why is she moonlighting? Probably because like me, as a teacher we don't get paid enough for our time.
That is a lot of unknowns going on in your head.
Ummmmm, what?!?! Brian???
Oh dang, those 11th graders were snappy.
That's rough when you see the depression coming and aren't local to help.
Hardboiled sweets????
Hockey family is all in each others business.
Laporte is a jerk.
Maybe this hockey connection can go further.
"I just have zero tolerance for judgmental dickheads.” You go Georgie!!
Will, are you living with regrets?
So far, nothing in this book has really gripped me and wanted me to continue reading, I am currently 60% in. Still holding out hope though.
As I learned last night at an author event, this book would be classified as a historical romance as it occurred more than 20 years ago.
When is Oliver just going to come out with it???
Way to go on the gifts. They were perfect for each other.
Oliver, all is not lost when you open up yourself to the truth.
Oh dear goodness, the flashbacks of a prepaid phone card. Geez, I'm old or my parents were cheap.
Oh dear goodness, "son".
We are the champions my friends...
There was nothing wrong with the book, it just didn't grab ahold of me. Honestly, though, it is wouldn't have been an ARC, I would have put in on my DNF list.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. With the start of hockey season, I thought it was the perfect time to start my hockey reading too. Love Wants Us to Win takes place in the early 1990's, focusing on the 1992/93 hockey season. Georgie is a die-hard Toronto Maple Leafs fan while Oliver is anything but a hockey fan. A chance connection after Georgie takes her students to the museum Oliver works at results in a growing friendship and then, potentially, more. There are multiple references to landmarks, pop-culture and foods popular at the time, although not a Torontonian, I was alive and pretty much understood every reference. There were also multiple Canadian references, which are always nice to see in print. Georgie is an obsessed fan, which at times did seem excessive. But learning both Oliver's and Georgie's histories brought context to their stories which helped to alleviate some of my frustrations while reading. Overall, I liked the story and give it a 3.5 to 3.75 star rating. I enjoyed the crazy hockey family, the growing friendship and relationship between the FML and ML characters and the pop-culture references. I didn't like some of the passive voice throughout. Unfortunately for Leaf Fans, this book is fiction and they're still waiting for their cup season and have been since 1967.

[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Love Notes PR & NetGalley for the ARC!

The first thing I have to say is I loved discovering the early 90's Toronto with Georgie and Oliver, as well as having a glimpse of what being a hockey fan is like.
It felt weird going back to a time where technology was less developed when we're used to being connected 24/7, and it is something that perturbed me for quite a few pages.
But you could feel the author's nostalgia and all of her personal experiences in this novel.

The hockey friend group is a dream! They're all so sweet, supportive and there for each other. It's like a little family. And let's not talk about Georgie's bond with Michael, they really are the best! We all wish for such a friendship!

Oliver and Georgie are such a really cute couple, the yearning between them was great. I loved how they acted around each other, talking about everything and being shy at the same time. Even if some secrets are left out, they actually talked. Green flag male character and healthy relationship, I'm all in for that!

Speaking of Oliver, I was really into his backstory – speaking about his childhood with his girlfriend and what was missing from it.
I just wish we had a little bit more flashbacks of his studies and his research in archeology and anthropology. I would have loved to have him relate to Georgie or the group where he went, or what he discovered during his excavations.

One of the most important thing in this book is the representation of people living with migraines. I've never read a book with such realistic representations of migraine attacks! It took me years to be taken seriously about my symptoms in the 2010s (blind spots, visual auras, numbness, vomiting, difficulties to understand when spoken to/reading or just to form coherent sentences), saying that was just in my head... Seeing a main character suffering from the same thing as me shows that the lack of consideration for those living with this illness has always been widely accepted, and we're treated differently by people who don't understand what it feels like.

[Sophie · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

Thank you LoveNotesPR and Jacquelyn Middleton for the ARC!

Georgie is a character who's love of hockey is so passionate. As a hockey fan myself, I understood her connection to the game and that really helped me connect with her. Georgie is a passionate person by nature, and always goes the most she can for anyone she meets. When she met Oliver, readers could feel that there was going to be a friendship blooming, but we all knew there was much more under the surface. Although it took me a while to fully get into the book, after that blip, I couldn't put it down and it was always in the back of my head.
Georgie is fighting for a promotion that she's worked her entire career for. Oliver is trying to find a way to give his museum tours something that won't make his audience snooze. The two put a plan together to solve both their problems, while also catching incredibly strong feelings for each other. Oliver is setting a standard for all partners the way he treats and thinks about Georgie. The two fit together incredibly well and I couldn't stop smiling while reading their love for each other blossom.
Hockey season is here, and this is a great book to start the season right. Go Bolts, and three cheers for love!