The Exception: A College Hockey Romance

by Reese Calloway

He's a Swedish hockey star with a draft pick on the line. She's a pre-med disaster with a one-way ticket to medical school. Neither of them has time for this.

Briar Monroe doesn't date hockey players. She especially doesn't date her brother's teammates. And she absolutely doesn't date the six-foot-three Swedish heartthrob who moved into her spare room uninvited, walks around her kitchen shirtless at 6 a.m., and has opinions about her eating frosting straight from the jar.

Landon Eriksson didn't come to America for fun. His little sister is desperately ill, and the NHL contract he's chasing could pay for the treatment that might save her life. Failure isn't an option.

He doesn't have time for a girlfriend, a distraction, or a smart-mouthed roommate who refuses to back down.

So when their chemistry finally explodes, the rules are no strings, no feelings, no future. They're both leaving after graduation anyway — him to the NHL, her to a surgical fellowship a thousand miles away.

It was supposed to be casual.

It was supposed to be temporary.

It was supposed to mean nothing.

But nobody told their hearts.

An enemies-with-benefits, forced proximity, brother's-best-friend hockey romance you won't be able to put down.

What You're TeammateTemporary RoommatesHockey x Pre MedHigh SpiceProtective HeroOnly Soft for HerSwedish MMCBrainy FMC

Genres: Hockey

349 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 2, 2026

Reviews

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved briar and Landon. The beat part of this romance for me was not only the fact that she was a med student and he was on her brothers hockey team. But the fact that when they met, things went slowly. They spent time with one another. And their time spent allowed them to grow into one another at a more r realistic pace. I felt like I was going right song with them with sweet moments and fun banter. They connected in a healthy, non rushed kind of way. So that really kept me invested in this story and wanting to contour reading to see where they would land come the end. I really enjoyed this story.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Exception by Reese Calloway is a fun, steamy college hockey romance that delivers chemistry-filled banter, emotional tension, and a swoon-worthy hockey hero that is easy to fall for. In this story, we are introduced to the FMC Briar Monroe, a young pre-med student with a one-way ticket to medical school and the MMC Landon Eriksson a six-foot-three Swedish hockey player that is on her brothers team. One of the things I enjoyed most about this novel was how the characters challenged each other and grew throughout the story. While the chemistry between them was electric, their relationship developed naturally, balancing playful moments with deeper emotional connections. Overall, The Exception was an addictive college hockey romance that combined steam with emotional depth, humor and heartfelt moments.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[TAMRON · Rating 2 out of 5]

Somewhat tolerable

I didn't really care for Briar she starts out judgemental and emotionally unavailable. I liked Landon and kinda rather he ended up with someone else. Briar seemed focused on her career path but very immature like when she is rude to Landon but get upset seeing him with someone else. Then the way she gave him the silent treatment after that party. I was over her when she treated him like trash after her brother found out. I never really grew to like her character, she played mind games. I felt some way about the constant "yeah" that was wayyy overdone.

[Teresa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ai Writing

DNF** very difficult to read as it’s all Ai. The sentences repeat themselves constantly. The plot is very unique and interesting. However the cycle of ai sentences made the book unbearable.

[Kaity · Rating 5 out of 5]

perfection <3 <3 I love Briar and Landon <3

[Debbie Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked the banter and how Briar and Landon interacted. I enjoyed reading about their relationship.

[Sindy Durand · Rating 4 out of 5]

J ai bien aimer , ses pas le livre de l année mais bonne lecture

[Sabrina Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5🌟 This was a delight! I enjoyed the banter and the characters. I will be thinking about Landon and Briar for a while!