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Springfield Cyclones #3
Interference
Ilya lost her years ago…to his best friend. Now she’s back...and so is his friend.
Freshly divorced from an NHL star and finally back in New England, Zoey Williams is rebuilding from scratch: new apartment, new job running community outreach for the Cyclones, and a terrifying, exhilarating plan to become a foster mom on her own. The last thing she expects on Day One is to feel sparks with the one man she has spent ten years carefully not wanting—her ex-husband’s best friend.
Ilya Sergechev has everything he ever worked for: the C on his chest, a locker room that listens when he speaks, and a reputation for being unshakable when games and lives get ugly. He’s also carrying a decade-old secret. He’s been in love with his best friend’s girl since college. He forced a smile through their wedding, gave the best man speech, and when their marriage fell apart, did what he always does: put everyone else first and locked his own feelings down.
But Zoey is no longer married. And Ilya is no longer able to pretend she feels like just a friend.
Between old memories, stolen moments, youth hockey clinics, and the dangerously easy comfort of being seen by someone who already knows the worst parts of your history, the line between friendship and something more begins to blur. Then Mitch unexpectedly joins the Cyclones, determined to win Zoey back…and is completely unaware that his best friend may be the one man she’s finally ready to choose.
Loving Zoey could cost Ilya his oldest friendship, his team’s trust, and the careful control he’s built his life around. Loving Ilya could put Zoey’s hard-won independence, her foster plans, and her healing heart at risk. And when old loyalties, new dreams, and buried feelings collide, Ilya starts to wonder if the only way to keep Zoey safe is to walk away before he can hurt her too.
Will Zoey postpone her dreams yet again for a man who isn’t sure he can stay? Or can Ilya risk everything for the woman he lost once—and the family she’s determined to build?
***
Read today to experience a heartfelt tale of love, sacrifice, and destiny, proving sometimes, the second chance is the one that counts.
Freshly divorced from an NHL star and finally back in New England, Zoey Williams is rebuilding from scratch: new apartment, new job running community outreach for the Cyclones, and a terrifying, exhilarating plan to become a foster mom on her own. The last thing she expects on Day One is to feel sparks with the one man she has spent ten years carefully not wanting—her ex-husband’s best friend.
Ilya Sergechev has everything he ever worked for: the C on his chest, a locker room that listens when he speaks, and a reputation for being unshakable when games and lives get ugly. He’s also carrying a decade-old secret. He’s been in love with his best friend’s girl since college. He forced a smile through their wedding, gave the best man speech, and when their marriage fell apart, did what he always does: put everyone else first and locked his own feelings down.
But Zoey is no longer married. And Ilya is no longer able to pretend she feels like just a friend.
Between old memories, stolen moments, youth hockey clinics, and the dangerously easy comfort of being seen by someone who already knows the worst parts of your history, the line between friendship and something more begins to blur. Then Mitch unexpectedly joins the Cyclones, determined to win Zoey back…and is completely unaware that his best friend may be the one man she’s finally ready to choose.
Loving Zoey could cost Ilya his oldest friendship, his team’s trust, and the careful control he’s built his life around. Loving Ilya could put Zoey’s hard-won independence, her foster plans, and her healing heart at risk. And when old loyalties, new dreams, and buried feelings collide, Ilya starts to wonder if the only way to keep Zoey safe is to walk away before he can hurt her too.
Will Zoey postpone her dreams yet again for a man who isn’t sure he can stay? Or can Ilya risk everything for the woman he lost once—and the family she’s determined to build?
***
Read today to experience a heartfelt tale of love, sacrifice, and destiny, proving sometimes, the second chance is the one that counts.
489 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 27, 2026
About the author
Ella Haines
10 books28 followersElla Haines is a contemporary romance author of various mid-steam romance novels and novellas.
Her books are all standalones in an interconnected world, usually centered around sexy athletes and the empowered women who love them.
As a person who went through years of infertility treatments, she understands wholeheartedly how reading certain tropes (such as secret baby, pregnancy, etc) could be upsetting to people. Therefore, all books are standalones, though there are easter eggs scattered between them.
In addition to writing, she is a CPA and a mom to two young boys. In between potty training, naps, and tax returns, Ella finds the time to write and share her heart-heavy stories with others.
Her novels have heat, heart, and plot. They are not light and fluffy - though there are rom-comesque moments.
A typical New Englander, Ella was born and raised in New Hampshire, and much to her husband’s chagrin, hopes to spend forever there (plus the taxes are good (CPA remember :-) ))
Her books are all standalones in an interconnected world, usually centered around sexy athletes and the empowered women who love them.
As a person who went through years of infertility treatments, she understands wholeheartedly how reading certain tropes (such as secret baby, pregnancy, etc) could be upsetting to people. Therefore, all books are standalones, though there are easter eggs scattered between them.
In addition to writing, she is a CPA and a mom to two young boys. In between potty training, naps, and tax returns, Ella finds the time to write and share her heart-heavy stories with others.
Her novels have heat, heart, and plot. They are not light and fluffy - though there are rom-comesque moments.
A typical New Englander, Ella was born and raised in New Hampshire, and much to her husband’s chagrin, hopes to spend forever there (plus the taxes are good (CPA remember :-) ))
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 26, 2026
This is my second book from this author and her stories are just getting better as they progress.
This book centers on a second chance, friends to lovers, double pining between the team captain and his best friend's ex wife.
Ilya has always been the one who holds things, now he is the captain of his hockey team, a star player who stands for his team at all cost. However there is one thing that has eluded him, love; especifically the love of a woman who was his friend but chose his best friend. But life changes when she is back in his life (working for the team) newly divorced and trying to restart. He sees the opportunity to express all his repress sentiments as they get closer once again.
Zoey is trying to restart and become a mother through fostering; so coming to the new place is part of her plan, but Ilya is the variant she did not account for. Being close to him brings back feelings she had buried, and they get closer. She is afraid to trust again, especially when her ex wants a chance with her again.
An entertaining read !
This book centers on a second chance, friends to lovers, double pining between the team captain and his best friend's ex wife.
Ilya has always been the one who holds things, now he is the captain of his hockey team, a star player who stands for his team at all cost. However there is one thing that has eluded him, love; especifically the love of a woman who was his friend but chose his best friend. But life changes when she is back in his life (working for the team) newly divorced and trying to restart. He sees the opportunity to express all his repress sentiments as they get closer once again.
Zoey is trying to restart and become a mother through fostering; so coming to the new place is part of her plan, but Ilya is the variant she did not account for. Being close to him brings back feelings she had buried, and they get closer. She is afraid to trust again, especially when her ex wants a chance with her again.
An entertaining read !
August 25, 2026
IIya was captain of the team. He was the person who stood up for his team when demands were high. He was there for his sister. In college he had friends Mitchell and Zoey. IIya had love at first sight with Zoey but didn’t do anything since his best friend was in love with her. As the years went on Zoey distanced herself from IIya. She takes over her life after a divorce and she has a surprise up her sleeve. She kept moving and working for the team IIya played for was her new team she worked for. They reconnect and grow closer. This is challenged when Mitchell comes sand played for the team. Everything changes for this group. Who will survive the fallout?
August 8, 2026
Interference by Ella Haines was a big YES for me! I thoroughly enjoyed this third Springfield Cyclones book. Zoey is absolutely hilarious, while Ilya may be a bit of a drama queen, but he’s also incredibly sweet. I loved the emotional depth of their romance, the years of quiet longing, and the complicated friendship with Mitch. The secondary characters were just as lovable and layered, making me excited for what’s next in the series. A heartfelt, beautifully written hockey romance about healing, second chances, and finally choosing happiness!
July 30, 2026
4.5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this third novel in the Cyclones series. The MMC and FMC are both great; Zoey in particular is really funny. Ilya is a little bit of a drama queen, but he's overall really sweet. The secondary characters are also great, both lovable and complex, making me excited for future novels in the series.
On that note, it's been a while since I've read a book by this author, but I typically enjoy them. In this series, though, I didn't really love book 1, and I somehow missed book 2. I was glad to find the mojo back, though I do feel there might be connections and backstories that I missed out on. Namely, college years with Zoey, Ilya, Kayla, Mitch, and Nina.
The concept of Mitch (Zoey's ex) and Ilya (Zoey's now) being BFF's creates an interesting triangle. Similar stories typically make the ex an irredeemable jerk, but that's not the case here. How it will resolve is intriguing, but rest assured that Haines does a great job.
Overall, a big YAY! for this book.
I received an ARC of this book for free from the author and BookSirens. I'm writing this review voluntarily, and it reflects my honest opinion. Thanks!
I thoroughly enjoyed this third novel in the Cyclones series. The MMC and FMC are both great; Zoey in particular is really funny. Ilya is a little bit of a drama queen, but he's overall really sweet. The secondary characters are also great, both lovable and complex, making me excited for future novels in the series.
On that note, it's been a while since I've read a book by this author, but I typically enjoy them. In this series, though, I didn't really love book 1, and I somehow missed book 2. I was glad to find the mojo back, though I do feel there might be connections and backstories that I missed out on. Namely, college years with Zoey, Ilya, Kayla, Mitch, and Nina.
The concept of Mitch (Zoey's ex) and Ilya (Zoey's now) being BFF's creates an interesting triangle. Similar stories typically make the ex an irredeemable jerk, but that's not the case here. How it will resolve is intriguing, but rest assured that Haines does a great job.
Overall, a big YAY! for this book.
I received an ARC of this book for free from the author and BookSirens. I'm writing this review voluntarily, and it reflects my honest opinion. Thanks!
August 4, 2026
Interference is an emotional and beautifully written hockey romance that explores friendship, healing, second chances, and the courage to choose happiness. Ella Haines delivers a heartfelt story where love grows from years of quiet longing, creating a romance that feels authentic, tender, and impossible not to root for.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews