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Knocked Up By My Ex
My options are to pretend all three positive pregnancy tests are broken, flee to a wolf sanctuary in Montana, or tell my hockey player ex he's going to be a dad. Unfortunately, I'm a responsible adult.
I'm a veterinarian with a broke rescue clinic, a cat who runs the place like a tiny king, and a strict policy against Beckett, the NHL goaltender who picked the ice over me ten years ago. So I save his dog, hand him the bill, and consider the matter closed.
One extremely unprofessional night later, I'm in the supply room while my best friend times three pregnancy tests like a playoff shootout. Positive.
I tell Beckett, braced for him to bolt. Except he doesn't ask how to get out. He asks how to get there.
Which is how the league's grumpiest goaltender ends up living in my house under the rules on my refrigerator: separate rooms, rent paid in kennel duty at five a.m., and in red block capitals, nobody falls in love.
He starts bottle-feeding my foster kittens, charms the cat, out-stubborns my hostile little brother, and refuses to let anyone adopt the grey kitten that sleeps on him.
For the record, kissing him at midnight on New Year's was a clerical error, and we have ruled in writing that it does not count as falling in love.
But the man who left once keeps staying. And I'm one quiet, ridiculous kindness away from breaking my own rule in permanent marker.
I'm a veterinarian with a broke rescue clinic, a cat who runs the place like a tiny king, and a strict policy against Beckett, the NHL goaltender who picked the ice over me ten years ago. So I save his dog, hand him the bill, and consider the matter closed.
One extremely unprofessional night later, I'm in the supply room while my best friend times three pregnancy tests like a playoff shootout. Positive.
I tell Beckett, braced for him to bolt. Except he doesn't ask how to get out. He asks how to get there.
Which is how the league's grumpiest goaltender ends up living in my house under the rules on my refrigerator: separate rooms, rent paid in kennel duty at five a.m., and in red block capitals, nobody falls in love.
He starts bottle-feeding my foster kittens, charms the cat, out-stubborns my hostile little brother, and refuses to let anyone adopt the grey kitten that sleeps on him.
For the record, kissing him at midnight on New Year's was a clerical error, and we have ruled in writing that it does not count as falling in love.
But the man who left once keeps staying. And I'm one quiet, ridiculous kindness away from breaking my own rule in permanent marker.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 14, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 25, 2026
It was the first time I’d read a book by Riley Keenan. I don’t know if this is her usual writing style or if she chose to write only this particular book in this way. I also don’t know whether I liked the writing or not. It was certainly interesting, though.
EVERYTHING IS IN THE SUBTEXT.
Short, snappy sentences, minimal dialogue, a narrative told through silence. I realised that this evoked far more emotions and thoughts in me than the words themselves. It was as if the use of words was exceptionally skilful, conveying double meanings.
It was like watching a film by Andrei Tarkovsky.
She uses dialogue and emotional descriptions sparingly, letting simple movements, glances, and even the way each character stands in a room, tell the whole story. Even the humor in this book shares this same silence—it is brilliantly dry, deadpan, and delivers its punchlines through pure understatement rather than loud jokes.
This automatically transformed the reading of an ‘easy’ book, with a clichéd title (it couldn’t have been worse) suggesting a similarly clichéd story, into a whole new experience. It made me read more carefully, to make sure I hadn’t missed any meaning, and by the end, I realised I’d actually enjoyed it. More than I would typically enjoy a typical story.
The content is also different. Beckett is not your typical ice hockey star – the sort with women hanging all over him and money spent recklessly.
A story that could be melodramatic, but isn’t.
EVERYTHING IS IN THE SUBTEXT.
Short, snappy sentences, minimal dialogue, a narrative told through silence. I realised that this evoked far more emotions and thoughts in me than the words themselves. It was as if the use of words was exceptionally skilful, conveying double meanings.
It was like watching a film by Andrei Tarkovsky.
She uses dialogue and emotional descriptions sparingly, letting simple movements, glances, and even the way each character stands in a room, tell the whole story. Even the humor in this book shares this same silence—it is brilliantly dry, deadpan, and delivers its punchlines through pure understatement rather than loud jokes.
This automatically transformed the reading of an ‘easy’ book, with a clichéd title (it couldn’t have been worse) suggesting a similarly clichéd story, into a whole new experience. It made me read more carefully, to make sure I hadn’t missed any meaning, and by the end, I realised I’d actually enjoyed it. More than I would typically enjoy a typical story.
The content is also different. Beckett is not your typical ice hockey star – the sort with women hanging all over him and money spent recklessly.
A story that could be melodramatic, but isn’t.
Review of advance copy
Knocked Up By My Ex by Riley Keenan was such a fun and entertaining second-chance romance! I enjoyed the chemistry between the characters and the surprise pregnancy storyline, which added plenty of emotion and drama. The hockey setting was a great bonus and made the story even more enjoyable. I loved watching the characters work through their complicated past while figuring out what they wanted for their future. There were plenty of sweet moments, steamy chemistry, and emotional scenes that kept me invested in their relationship. If you enjoy hockey romance, second chances, surprise babies, and a couple trying to find their way back to each other, this is definitely worth picking up. Overall, Knocked Up By My Ex was a quick, enjoyable read with plenty of romance and a satisfying happily-ever-after!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 13, 2026
I liked that this wasn't just a hockey romance between ex's, it was a hockey romance, but also an animal rescue one and mixed in was their shared pasts, grief, fears, family issues, their individual futures, rules, being who you think you should be and learning who you are and who you want to be. The story held my attention throughout, I liked seeing their personal growth, the support they had, that they communicated in a way that worked for them, and that they were willing to made amendments to that when they were ready, they did things their way and got to where they were supposed to be when they were supposed to be there.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 14, 2026
Beckett may have ended things with Tessa years earlier, but when they reconnect after Tessa treats his dog, he proves that he is no longer choosing hockey over her.
It is not an easy journey, and both of them have to learn how to adjust, but the author does a wonderful job of revealing her characters, exploring their vulnerabilities and determination, and guiding them toward a well-earned HEA.
Beckett certainly wins Tessa's heart again, and yours as well, with the way he steps up, not because he thinks she needs saving, but because he genuinely wants to be there for her.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It is not an easy journey, and both of them have to learn how to adjust, but the author does a wonderful job of revealing her characters, exploring their vulnerabilities and determination, and guiding them toward a well-earned HEA.
Beckett certainly wins Tessa's heart again, and yours as well, with the way he steps up, not because he thinks she needs saving, but because he genuinely wants to be there for her.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Did Not Finish
August 22, 2026Abandonado al 60%.
Tenía tantas ganas de leerlo y quería que me gustase, porque el cliché de embarazo accidental es mi favorito y voy buscando como loca libros con esta temática. He llegado casi hasta la página 200 y no he disfrutado ni una sola porque el estilo de la autora no es para mí. Me ha parecido muy repetitivo y a la vez las frases son extrañas, la lectura no fluye. Podría forzarme a acabarlo, no es algo terrible, pero sé que no lo voy a disfrutar y no le voy a dar más de un 2.
Es una pena, creía que me iba a encantar y me he llevado un buen chasco.
Tenía tantas ganas de leerlo y quería que me gustase, porque el cliché de embarazo accidental es mi favorito y voy buscando como loca libros con esta temática. He llegado casi hasta la página 200 y no he disfrutado ni una sola porque el estilo de la autora no es para mí. Me ha parecido muy repetitivo y a la vez las frases son extrañas, la lectura no fluye. Podría forzarme a acabarlo, no es algo terrible, pero sé que no lo voy a disfrutar y no le voy a dar más de un 2.
Es una pena, creía que me iba a encantar y me he llevado un buen chasco.
August 18, 2026
2.5
Was hard to finish with the robotic writing style…every sentence was so short & stilted it was if the characters could only speak/think in sentences that were 5 words or less
Was hard to finish with the robotic writing style…every sentence was so short & stilted it was if the characters could only speak/think in sentences that were 5 words or less
August 19, 2026
Weird read. 💬Funny but that is all it is.
This book reads like everything is funny, like a comic strip, and lacks complete human emotion. Very disappointed with the book
This book reads like everything is funny, like a comic strip, and lacks complete human emotion. Very disappointed with the book
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews