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Off Season - Hockey Romance
Nash Bennett has spent his entire life knowing exactly who he is. Hockey player. Captain. Future NHLer. The guy everyone can depend on. After graduating from Northlake University, Nash is finally standing at the edge of everything he has worked for. The NHL is within reach, his future is falling into place, and for the first time in years, there is nothing left to do but wait.
So when Bailey Carter suggests they disappear to Europe for six weeks before real life begins, Nash says yes.
Bailey has spent the last few years trying to convince herself she is happy with a future that never really fit. Newly single, newly graduated, and suddenly unsure where nursing will take her, she wants one summer where she doesn’t have to have everything figured out. One summer of crowded trains, terrible directions, too many drinks, foreign cities, and doing whatever the hell she wants.
The only complication? Nash.
Her friend. Her safe place. The quiet hockey player who carries her suitcase, remembers everything she says, watches her dance from across crowded rooms, and somehow makes her feel like being too loud, too emotional, and too much might not be a bad thing after all.
They agree they’re just friends. Europe has other plans.
Somewhere between missed trains, shared hotel rooms, late-night conversations, jealousy neither of them wants to admit to, and a friendship that keeps crossing lines it probably shouldn’t, Nash and Bailey realize that whatever exists between them stopped being simple a long time ago.
But summer has an expiration date. Nash’s career is waiting. Bailey has a nursing career of her own to build. Their lives are pulling them toward different cities, different schedules, and futures that don’t automatically make room for each other. Loving someone turns out to be a lot easier than figuring out how to build a life with them. Still, they try.
And for a while, it feels like maybe they really can have everything. Until something tragic happens that changes the future Nash has spent his entire life working toward.
Suddenly, the man who has always been everyone else’s steady place doesn’t know how to stand on his own. Bailey would do anything to help him, but loving someone through their darkest season comes with its own cost, especially when helping starts to look a little too much like losing yourself.
Nash has to figure out who he is when the thing that defined him no longer feels guaranteed. Bailey has to learn that loving someone doesn’t mean disappearing inside their pain. And together, they have to decide whether a future changing means it’s over—or whether there is still something worth building on the other side.
Off Season is a friends-to-lovers hockey romance about falling in love when everything feels possible, staying when life becomes impossibly hard, and learning that grieving the future you wanted doesn’t mean you can’t eventually love the one you build instead.
Friends to lovers • Hockey romance • He falls first • Forced proximity • European travel romance • Slow burn • Long distance • Golden retriever × sunshine • Found family • Emotional healing • “It’s always been you” • Chosen family • Happily ever after
So when Bailey Carter suggests they disappear to Europe for six weeks before real life begins, Nash says yes.
Bailey has spent the last few years trying to convince herself she is happy with a future that never really fit. Newly single, newly graduated, and suddenly unsure where nursing will take her, she wants one summer where she doesn’t have to have everything figured out. One summer of crowded trains, terrible directions, too many drinks, foreign cities, and doing whatever the hell she wants.
The only complication? Nash.
Her friend. Her safe place. The quiet hockey player who carries her suitcase, remembers everything she says, watches her dance from across crowded rooms, and somehow makes her feel like being too loud, too emotional, and too much might not be a bad thing after all.
They agree they’re just friends. Europe has other plans.
Somewhere between missed trains, shared hotel rooms, late-night conversations, jealousy neither of them wants to admit to, and a friendship that keeps crossing lines it probably shouldn’t, Nash and Bailey realize that whatever exists between them stopped being simple a long time ago.
But summer has an expiration date. Nash’s career is waiting. Bailey has a nursing career of her own to build. Their lives are pulling them toward different cities, different schedules, and futures that don’t automatically make room for each other. Loving someone turns out to be a lot easier than figuring out how to build a life with them. Still, they try.
And for a while, it feels like maybe they really can have everything. Until something tragic happens that changes the future Nash has spent his entire life working toward.
Suddenly, the man who has always been everyone else’s steady place doesn’t know how to stand on his own. Bailey would do anything to help him, but loving someone through their darkest season comes with its own cost, especially when helping starts to look a little too much like losing yourself.
Nash has to figure out who he is when the thing that defined him no longer feels guaranteed. Bailey has to learn that loving someone doesn’t mean disappearing inside their pain. And together, they have to decide whether a future changing means it’s over—or whether there is still something worth building on the other side.
Off Season is a friends-to-lovers hockey romance about falling in love when everything feels possible, staying when life becomes impossibly hard, and learning that grieving the future you wanted doesn’t mean you can’t eventually love the one you build instead.
Friends to lovers • Hockey romance • He falls first • Forced proximity • European travel romance • Slow burn • Long distance • Golden retriever × sunshine • Found family • Emotional healing • “It’s always been you” • Chosen family • Happily ever after
786 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 25, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 26, 2026
I don't think I'll ever get tired of the Northlake family! Off Season by Caitlyn Best is the fifth book in the series, and after reading the previous four books, I was definitely excited to finally get Nash and Bailey's story!
One thing I've absolutely loved about this series is how connected I've become to the characters. With each book, you get to know this group a little better, and by the time you reach book five, they really do start feeling like family. That's what made Nash's story so special to me!
Nash Bennett has always been the dependable hockey player who knows exactly what he wants out of life. He's worked so hard for his future in the NHL, while Bailey Carter is trying to find her own direction after graduating college and going through a breakup.
I loved that their story started with a six-week trip through Europe! The missed trains, shared hotel rooms, late-night conversations, and all those little moments between them made their friends-to-lovers romance so enjoyable.
And can we talk about Nash?! The way he remembers the little things about Bailey, looks after her, and makes her feel comfortable being herself was definitely one of my favorite parts. He's the kind of character you can't help but fall in love with!
But what really got me was how emotional this story became. Without giving anything away, Nash and Bailey face some incredibly difficult moments that test their relationship and everything they've been working toward.
I appreciated that their story wasn't just about falling in love. It was also about learning how to handle unexpected changes, supporting someone through their darkest moments, and realizing that you can't lose yourself while trying to help the person you love.
Having followed this series through the previous four books, I think the emotional moments hit even harder because I was already so invested in these characters and their friendships.
Caitlyn Best has definitely created a group of characters that I love coming back to, and Off Season reminded me exactly why I enjoy this series so much!
If you love hockey romance, friends-to-lovers, slow burns, found family, and stories that make you smile one minute and break your heart the next, I absolutely recommend this series!
Nash and Bailey's story reminded me that sometimes the future you never planned for can still become something beautiful.
One thing I've absolutely loved about this series is how connected I've become to the characters. With each book, you get to know this group a little better, and by the time you reach book five, they really do start feeling like family. That's what made Nash's story so special to me!
Nash Bennett has always been the dependable hockey player who knows exactly what he wants out of life. He's worked so hard for his future in the NHL, while Bailey Carter is trying to find her own direction after graduating college and going through a breakup.
I loved that their story started with a six-week trip through Europe! The missed trains, shared hotel rooms, late-night conversations, and all those little moments between them made their friends-to-lovers romance so enjoyable.
And can we talk about Nash?! The way he remembers the little things about Bailey, looks after her, and makes her feel comfortable being herself was definitely one of my favorite parts. He's the kind of character you can't help but fall in love with!
But what really got me was how emotional this story became. Without giving anything away, Nash and Bailey face some incredibly difficult moments that test their relationship and everything they've been working toward.
I appreciated that their story wasn't just about falling in love. It was also about learning how to handle unexpected changes, supporting someone through their darkest moments, and realizing that you can't lose yourself while trying to help the person you love.
Having followed this series through the previous four books, I think the emotional moments hit even harder because I was already so invested in these characters and their friendships.
Caitlyn Best has definitely created a group of characters that I love coming back to, and Off Season reminded me exactly why I enjoy this series so much!
If you love hockey romance, friends-to-lovers, slow burns, found family, and stories that make you smile one minute and break your heart the next, I absolutely recommend this series!
Nash and Bailey's story reminded me that sometimes the future you never planned for can still become something beautiful.
October 25, 2026
This book was received as an ARC.
I loved this book and it devastated me. This was the first book I read in the series and although all of the books are stand-alone, this book assumes you have already met the main characters throughout the previous books. It was easy enough to pick up their vibes as characters though. There is a scene at the end of the book which is a little confusing if you haven’t read the previous books, as there are a lot of the previous characters together. I feel if I had read the previous books, that scene would have been more impactful and I probably would have rated the book 5 stars.
This book is heavy and challenging to sit with at times as the storyline navigates Nash’s career ending injury and recovery. It was particularly difficult for myself personally, as my husband is recovering from an injury and at times his mood was incredibly low also.. reading it felt cathartic in a way but also incredibly difficult to read in places also. If you love a gut retching book which doesn’t shy away from deep and depressing feelings, this book is for you.
I loved getting to know Nash and Bailey, and will enjoy reading the previous books in this series. 4 stars!
I loved this book and it devastated me. This was the first book I read in the series and although all of the books are stand-alone, this book assumes you have already met the main characters throughout the previous books. It was easy enough to pick up their vibes as characters though. There is a scene at the end of the book which is a little confusing if you haven’t read the previous books, as there are a lot of the previous characters together. I feel if I had read the previous books, that scene would have been more impactful and I probably would have rated the book 5 stars.
This book is heavy and challenging to sit with at times as the storyline navigates Nash’s career ending injury and recovery. It was particularly difficult for myself personally, as my husband is recovering from an injury and at times his mood was incredibly low also.. reading it felt cathartic in a way but also incredibly difficult to read in places also. If you love a gut retching book which doesn’t shy away from deep and depressing feelings, this book is for you.
I loved getting to know Nash and Bailey, and will enjoy reading the previous books in this series. 4 stars!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2026
ARC REVIEW
Northlake university the Nash and Bailey Story.
It was hard to follow as it felt like it was rushed -Nash and Bailey traveling over Europe - the story moving fast and I personally couldn’t connect to the story or characters which made it hard and this was the first time reading the Northlake university book with in the collection.
As I continue to read the book the pace slowed down and I started to connect to Nash and Bailey which was great.
At first I thought Nash was not a nice guy as he was very stand off to Bailey when they were traveling but as time went by he showed who he truly was. Nash being the helpful guy who would help anyone he cared about for instance when he would carry Bailey’s bags as he saw her struggle.
Bailey has lots of energy which was hard to follow but once you found out why I could relate to her character. As you got to know Bailey more by her opening up she is a great character that has had hard time with relationships. That’s why I think her and Nash are great together.
I really enjoyed getting to know Nash and Bailey and the Northlake university group.
Northlake university the Nash and Bailey Story.
It was hard to follow as it felt like it was rushed -Nash and Bailey traveling over Europe - the story moving fast and I personally couldn’t connect to the story or characters which made it hard and this was the first time reading the Northlake university book with in the collection.
As I continue to read the book the pace slowed down and I started to connect to Nash and Bailey which was great.
At first I thought Nash was not a nice guy as he was very stand off to Bailey when they were traveling but as time went by he showed who he truly was. Nash being the helpful guy who would help anyone he cared about for instance when he would carry Bailey’s bags as he saw her struggle.
Bailey has lots of energy which was hard to follow but once you found out why I could relate to her character. As you got to know Bailey more by her opening up she is a great character that has had hard time with relationships. That’s why I think her and Nash are great together.
I really enjoyed getting to know Nash and Bailey and the Northlake university group.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review
Anecdotal thoughts while reading
Northlake University series book 5
The banter of Nash and Bailey I am here for. So many smiles already and I'm only in Chapter 5.
black coffee = depression
Wyatt, your "consulting" seems VERY self-serving. I don’t blame Nash.
Nash, you worked for this no matter who the door opened.
Bailey is a cheerleader and voice of reason we all need.
💊 this can't be good
Liking the personal growth of speaking up.
🏒
Wyatt, good job admitting your 💩.
Oh no, not the knee.
Bailey, dad ✈️ ❤️ 😢
Sometimes we go full throttle on the things we can control.
Oh snap, literally and figuratively. Thanks doc (insert sarcasm) 🙄
🎶 What doesn't kill us makes us stronger 🎶 Nash is just having a VERY hard time with that thought at the moment.
🏡
Kids clinic! Fun times!
That was a quick call!!
Colsen 🤣
1st day photos are a must!
🍻🎉
Anecdotal thoughts while reading
Northlake University series book 5
The banter of Nash and Bailey I am here for. So many smiles already and I'm only in Chapter 5.
black coffee = depression
Wyatt, your "consulting" seems VERY self-serving. I don’t blame Nash.
Nash, you worked for this no matter who the door opened.
Bailey is a cheerleader and voice of reason we all need.
💊 this can't be good
Liking the personal growth of speaking up.
🏒
Wyatt, good job admitting your 💩.
Oh no, not the knee.
Bailey, dad ✈️ ❤️ 😢
Sometimes we go full throttle on the things we can control.
Oh snap, literally and figuratively. Thanks doc (insert sarcasm) 🙄
🎶 What doesn't kill us makes us stronger 🎶 Nash is just having a VERY hard time with that thought at the moment.
🏡
Kids clinic! Fun times!
That was a quick call!!
Colsen 🤣
1st day photos are a must!
🍻🎉
October 29, 2026
Just finished off season. What a range of emotions that this book brings you through. Great job Caitlyn! Nash and Bailey had such a great story and I'm so glad that their story was able to be told while interweaving all our favorite Northlake friends. I loved all the traveling they were able to do and being able to grow along side them as they went from college students, professional athletes, a nurse, trying to figure out their lives, etc. I would recommend this book but to read it in sequence.
October 26, 2026
Review based on an ARC kindly sent by the author…
I absolutely LOVED this book. Couldn’t put it down. Nash and Bailey are a perfectly matched couple and at times would leave me sat with a little smile because of how cute they are together. It was great that characters we have previously been introduced to in this series, make several appearances throughout the book.
Cannot wait to get stuck into future NLU stories,
I absolutely LOVED this book. Couldn’t put it down. Nash and Bailey are a perfectly matched couple and at times would leave me sat with a little smile because of how cute they are together. It was great that characters we have previously been introduced to in this series, make several appearances throughout the book.
Cannot wait to get stuck into future NLU stories,
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is my favourite book in the series. It is emotional - made me laugh and cry! It was a great perspective on when life doesn't go to plan and got into the raw emotion and grief of that as both the person going through it and those around them. I loved Nash and Bailey's story even if it did make me sob in some parts.
October 25, 2026
Amazing book!! Really well written. Caitlyn is a really amazing author and I highly suggest checking out her other books!
October 20, 2026
What an emotional roller coaster!!! Nash and Bailey deserve everything good coming for the after what they went through. This book made me laugh, cry, squeal, all the feels! Banter is top tier!!
October 25, 2026
Amazing boook! 🖤
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews