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Face Off

Not yet published
Expected 18 Nov 26
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He’s been dreaming about her for years.
She’s been trying to pretend he never existed.


As the PR manager of the Chicago Challengers, one of the most popular hockey franchises in the NHL, Shawna Gower is an unstoppable force. Nothing scares her—except Cooper Grant and the secrets she keeps close to her heart. Memories of their time together are enough to set her soul ablaze, but their past makes them impossible—even if she’s the only one who knows why. All she can do is pray they never cross paths again.

Cooper has carved out an incredible life for himself as an A-list sports agent, but it’s missing something, and he knows exactly what—or rather, whom—that is. Perhaps it’s foolish to think of a one-night stand as the one who got away, but Cooper hasn’t been able to shake the idea that maybe that’s exactly what Shawna had been.

He thought he’d been doing a decent job of not dwelling on what might have been, but that was before destiny reunited them. Now, he’s smelling her perfume. Hearing her laugh. Remembering why she was unforgettable.

Can Shawna open her heart to a second chance with Cooper? Or will her secrets be the wrecking ball that turns everything to rubble?

344 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication November 18, 2026

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Jillian Maclean

3 books16 followers

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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
28 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
November 6, 2026
This was my first time reading Jillian MacLean, and while I can appreciate the universe she's created with the Chicago Challengers series, Face Off turned out to be a much heavier and more complicated read than I was expecting.

Without giving away any spoilers, the trigger warnings do indicate that this book deals with some difficult subject matter. However, I still found the sheer amount of it overwhelming at times. It felt as though Shawna (FMC) was constantly being battered by one thing after another, and there were moments when it simply became a lot to process.

Cooper (MMC), on the other hand, had me intrigued from the moment he was introduced in the prologue. I really liked him initially, but as the story progressed, I found his characterisation could have benefited from more depth. He came across as the quintessential good guy: great at his job, attractive, blessed with a wonderful family and a lovely personality. But I struggled to identify something distinctive about him that made him stand out as a character.

I also felt that some of the interactions involving Shawna's mother-in-law could have been trimmed down. The conflict was already quite clear, and I think removing two or three of those interactions would have made for a tighter narrative without taking away from the reader's understanding of the situation.

That said, I do think the author has established an interesting universe. I haven't read the first two books in the series, so I appreciated being able to step into this story without feeling that I was missing essential context.

One character who definitely caught my attention, though, was Alexei Volkov. I'm fascinated by him and now find myself wanting to know whether he has a story of his own. That's certainly something I'll be looking into!

My biggest takeaway? Don't go into this expecting a light hockey romance. This is a story that tackles some genuinely difficult subjects, and I'd strongly encourage readers to check the trigger warnings beforehand and consider whether they're in the right headspace for this particular read.

Overall, this was a three-star read for me. I'm not quite convinced that Jillian MacLean's writing is for me just yet, but I'm certainly open to giving her another chance before making that call.

Note: Thanks to the author for the advanced copy.
Profile Image for Sofia Silva.
404 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
November 6, 2026
An unexpected romance best described as a rollercoaster of emotions.
Face Off has so many twists and turns that it will keep you interests, invested and more than ready to know how it unfolds.
The story of Cooper, the A-list sports agent and Shawna, the feisty, powerhouse PR manager for the Chicago Challengers, is all surprises.
What starts off seven years ago, still has a big impact on their lives in the present.
While Cooper is still pining for the force of a woman he casually met on a hotel bar, Shawna is living her own nightmare of self-guilt and keeping secrets.
Face Off is an intense romance with real life problems, physical and emotional scars that will never heal, two hearts that beat and long for each other, fears and insecurities, but also instant connections, deep chemistry, healing moments, support, dedication ad true love that is patient and kind.
Jillian MacLean gives us two grown-up characters that face difficult obstacles in order to have their HEA, with a lot of emotional packed moments along the way; a cautious, caring way of dealing with loss and grief: painful but necessary healing processes; life altering moments and the best kind of love – the one that forgives, stays and helps to heal.
Thank you for the ARC.
Profile Image for blushandromancereads.
40 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy
November 6, 2026
If I were to describe this book in just one word, it would be: Complicated. I honestly wasn't expecting this story to unfold the way it did, but it was a total page-turner because I desperately needed to find out what was going to happen between Shawna and Cooper. From the very start, their chemistry was sizzling!

This book does feature a cheating trope, but let’s clear this up right away: the FMC cheated not on the MMC. Shawna’s story is so tangled and layered. On one level, you get her perspective, but you still find yourself asking, why? Once she finally tells her full story to Cooper, it helps you understand her so much more, and you really can't help but feel for her because the circumstances were just so... complicated. When she met Cooper, it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity she might never get again, but not waiting to properly end things with her boyfriend at the time, even with all the complex feelings she had about their relationship... well, you can see why this whole situation is such a mess.

7 years later since Shawna and Cooper met, Shawna still feels deeply bad about it all, and you can genuinely feel how sorry she is. It’s hard for anyone to easily get over the crushing guilt, the grief and heaviness she's carried around for seven years. Sometimes I just wanted to reach into the book, tell her to stop being so stubborn, and finally allow herself to take a second chance at happiness with Cooper. I just love cooper, and honestly, I only wished we got even more of him in the story. He is an all-around green-flag book boyfriend. He checked his emotions, thought things through, and actually went out of his way to hear Shawna out. Oh and he didn’t stoop pursuing her even when she was being stubborn.

I’m so glad Shawna forgave herself, stopped being so stubborn, and allowed herself to be happy and love Cooper. At the end of the day, I am just so happy these two came together, because that incredible chemistry carried all the way through to a deeply satisfying ending.

Thank you to LoveNotes for the opportunity to read and review this ARC - all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Yvette Jarrell.
468 reviews14 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
November 11, 2026
🏒 ARC REVIEW 💙
Face Off (Chicago Challengers #3) by Jillian Maclean
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Some love stories are about finding the right person. Others are about finding the courage to believe you deserve a second chance at happiness.❤️

From the very first chapter, I was hooked! The chemistry between Shawna and Cooper was undeniable, and I couldn’t wait to discover how one unforgettable night would change their lives seven years later.

And Cooper?! 🥹💚 Talk about a green-flag book boyfriend! Patient, thoughtful, persistent, and completely swoon-worthy. His playful banter with Shawna made me smile, and I loved how he never stopped believing in her, even when she struggled to believe in herself.

Shawna’s journey was far more emotional than I anticipated. Beneath her fierce, independent exterior was a woman carrying years of grief, guilt, and secrets. There were moments I wanted to shake some sense into her, but as her story unfolded, I found myself rooting for her healing just as much as her romance.

What surprised me most was the emotional depth woven throughout this story. Jillian Maclean beautifully explores forgiveness, mental health, friendship, and the importance of allowing yourself to heal. I especially appreciated the positive portrayal of therapy and the wonderful camaraderie among the Chicago Challengers.

With heartfelt moments, sizzling chemistry, unexpected revelations, and a romance worth fighting for, Face Off delivers so much more than a second-chance love story.

Sometimes the hardest person to forgive is yourself, and sometimes love is worth giving another shot.❤️

Available November 18, 2026.

A huge thank you to the author for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
Profile Image for Seershhhhh (readsbyseersh on IG).
140 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
November 6, 2026
Thank you to Jillian Maclean and Love Notes PR for sending me the ARC.

This was absolutely not what I expected! There were so many twists, and it definitely kept me wondering what was going to happen next. Unfortunately, though, I didn’t love this book. I don’t want to spoil anything, but that prologue just ruined it for me. Personally, I wouldn’t necessarily say the blurb was misleading, but I also didn’t get the impression that the story was going to go in that direction. And honestly, it just wasn’t for me.

I also found myself really disagreeing with the FMC and some of her choices.
That being said, there is so much depth to this story, and it’s about so much more than romance. I have to give credit where it’s due,I was invested in seeing how everything would play out, and in that regard, it definitely didn’t disappoint.

It's real life, and real life is messy. This story is about real life struggles, the emotional and physical scars they leave , insecurities, and the things people carry with them. I will always respect authors who aren't afraid to write flawed, realistic characters, even when I don't necessarily agree with them or their decisions. There’s so much going on beneath the surface with the MMC’s. While one is holding on to a connection and longing for something more, the other is dealing with their own guilt, fears and secrets. There are so many layers to their stories, and the emotional struggles they face make this about so much more than just romance.

3.75/5
Profile Image for readerchaz.
241 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
November 11, 2026
Thank you to Love Notes PR for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This isn't your typical hockey romance, but it's just as steamy. Cooper and Shawna started really well, or so we were given the illusion. We meet Shawna at a point in her life when she has a lot going on. She's still grieving from losing her husband, an ectopic pregnancy, finding out that her husband left her with enough sperm to grow an army, and her ex-fling dropping back into her life unexpectedly. And determined to win her back no matter how many times she says they can't be together, Cooper stops at nothing to make Shawna his girl. Despite knowing their connection is on another level, Shawna leads Cooper to believe that them working together now is reason enough for them not to pursue any type of relationship. But working together and as Shawna continues to work through her feelings, she soon begins to believe that a future with Cooper might actually be possible. There were many sweet moments, and Cooper seems like the ultimate book boyfriend. The book was in dual pov, which I thought brought lots of insight into each character. The pace was a bit on the slower side, but still enjoyable and easy to follow. The spice was fun too; I give it a 3 out of 5. The epilogue was sweet, and it was cute to get a look into the future with Cooper and Shawna.

Fave Quote: "If I didn't make it clear enough the other day, I've wondered about you and what might have been for years. I'd love the opportunity to learn what's real and what was imagined."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Ashlie.
76 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
November 5, 2026
5 Star Read, 6 Star Series! 🌟

We come out swinging right from the gate with a prologue set seven years in the past, immediately throwing us into the deep end. I hit the end of that chapter and was instantly hook, line, and sinker; reel me right on in!

I absolutely loved getting to see each POV of that first night they met. Being able to experience those same moments through different eyes added so much depth to the story. We get all the pain, the love, the healing, and the reminders of just how important utilizing therapy can be.

And that fundraiser event?! My jaw HIT THE FLOOR when Shawna sees Cooper's mom. Not to mention, the absolute disrespect from Deborah. I was NOT ready! My flabbers were ghasted.

The amount of emotional depth packed into this book honestly amazed me. I really tried to slow down and take the time to feel and absorb every part of these characters' experiences. This isn't just a second-chance-at-love story. It's about keeping yourself shackled to past mistakes, friendship, healing, what we think we deserve versus what we actually want, and all the pressures we put on ourselves while boxing ourselves into expectations.

I think anyone who has ever had to make or face one (or more) life-altering decisions will find something meaningful in this story.

The Challengers series has been such a journey, and Face Off was an incredible addition. I highly recommend not just this book, but ALL THREE!
Profile Image for Jade Simons.
82 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
November 9, 2026
Jillian this book.

Man the amount of heart break you wrote into this book can not be described in words. I mean technically it can, but it is so hard to write.

I'd be lying if I said that I loved how you wrote Shawna because half the time she frustrated me. Though I can imagine that she felt that grief and guilt and it kept her from truly healing and moving forward in life. I can't imagine going through her scenario and I applaud her for handling it the best way she could. There will never be a right or wrong answer on how to manage what you are given.

Cooper is a gem! I love him! I'm so glad he never gave up on trying to figure out how to win Shawna over. I thought for a second he was truly going to walk away and that would have been devastating!!! I think if Alexei hadn't been there to remind him that there are two sides without knowing the full story or telling him directly that term, we might have seen a different outcome and I am glad that was not the case.

I loved the story behind the book honestly and I loved that you brought in so much mental health awareness and a therapist. It's not often that you see that in books these days. The only thing I didn't care for was the 3rd POV/Narrator style of writing. It's not my cup of tea personally, but it didn't stop me from loving your book.

I look forward to book 4!!! I am hoping its Alexei's honestly :) Also thank you for allowing me to be an arc reader again! It truly has been an honor.
Profile Image for Aleksandra.
1,583 reviews14 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
November 8, 2026
Second Chances, Sizzling Chemistry & All the Feels!
Wow, what an emotional roller coaster! Jillian Maclean had me hooked from the very first chapter, and once I started, putting this book down was simply not an option!

Shawna and Cooper's story is deliciously complicated, packed with sizzling chemistry, painful secrets, and enough emotional baggage to fill an entire hockey team's locker room! I loved getting both perspectives on their unforgettable first meeting and watching their second chance unfold. Cooper is impossible not to root for, while Shawna's journey toward healing and forgiving herself really tugged at my heartstrings.

And that fundraiser scene?! My jaw was somewhere on the floor, and Deborah certainly wasn't winning any Mother of the Year awards!

What I particularly loved was how beautifully the story balanced romance, humor, heartbreak, and personal growth. This isn't just about rekindling an old flame; it's about learning to let go of guilt, accepting that we deserve happiness, and realizing that sometimes the biggest obstacle to love is ourselves.

The chemistry was fantastic, the emotional depth genuinely surprised me, and the writing kept me turning pages long past bedtime. A few moments were a little frustrating, but honestly, that's part of what made these characters feel so real.
Profile Image for ☆Laura☆.
6,384 reviews68 followers
Review of advance copy
November 5, 2026
Shawna y Cooper se conocieron hace siete años y compartieron una noche inolvidable que ninguno ha conseguido sacar de sus cabezas. Desde entonces, sus vidas han tomado caminos distintos, pero el destino vuelve a cruzarlos cuando Cooper aparece en el equipo de hockey de Chicago donde Shawna trabaja. Él quiere saber si todavía puede haber algo entre ellos, pero Shawna tiene demasiadas razones para mantener las distancias. Su pasado está lleno de sentimientos sin resolver, secretos y situaciones que todavía le duelen. Ahora tendrá que decidir si está dispuesta a dejar que Cooper se acerque de nuevo o si es mejor seguir fingiendo que aquella noche nunca significó tanto para ella.



Gracias Love Notes por el ARC.
Profile Image for Kaitlin Johnston.
46 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
November 12, 2026
I wanted to love it, but just couldn’t. The premise was great and I loved the MMC, Cooper, but the FMC, Shawna just wasn’t very likable. Everything seemed to drag out far longer than it needed to. Now I will say there were quite a few twists and turns that I really enjoyed and when the book was in that pace, I loved it and if it would’ve stayed in that pace, it would’ve been great! There are also some SUPER cringy lines in the book (one was something like “let me make sure you’re good and saturated”), but once you accept that, it will make you laugh and you can just enjoy.
10 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
November 7, 2026
I made the mistake of not reading the first two books from this series before reading this one. Not because the other characters' stories didn't make sense in this book, but because this one was so well written that now I have to go back and read them now!!
I really enjoyed the characters and the emotional honesty in the face of an impossible situation. I also can't wait to see who the next book could be about...
Profile Image for Samantha.
43 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
November 7, 2026
Advanced Reader Copy received from LoveNotes PR

An emotional rollercoaster of a book that had me hooked from chapter one! Shawna and Cooper's story was set out beautifully, with themes of grief, loss and wanting to pack out this brilliant book.
I love the side characters in this as well, and how Cooper yearned for Shawna.

Can't wait for the next one in the series!
Profile Image for Donna A'Hern.
7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
November 12, 2026
I absolutely loved this both and everything it represented to me. It was so empowering reading about an independent women, willing to do whatever it took to get what she wanted after sacrificing so much.

Loved the relationship between Shawna and Cooper and enjoyed we got his POV as well. Would definitely recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews