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Lakeside University #1
The Enforcer
Nash Richards was my first everything. First boyfriend, first time, first love. First heartbreak, too.
In a former life, I used to religiously attend Lakeside U's hockey games. Then my ex-who-shall-not-be-named—the team's top defensive enforcer—cross-checked my heart into the boards, and I haven't set foot in that arena since.
But when fate conspires against me, I’m assigned to complete my senior athletic training internship with Nash's team, and forced to work closely with the only guy I've ever loved. You know, the one who skated out of my life freshman year without looking back.
After what happened last time, I know better than to fall for Nash again. Not to mention, there’s a strict no-fraternization policy between trainers and their athletes. Problem is, our chemistry is hotter than ever—and he’s determined to make me give him another chance..
Before we know it, the boundaries begin to blur until we can’t see them anymore. But with so much on the line, I'm risking a lot more than just my heart this time.
*
THE ENFORCER is a steamy second chance college sports romance with a HEA and no cliffhanger.
In a former life, I used to religiously attend Lakeside U's hockey games. Then my ex-who-shall-not-be-named—the team's top defensive enforcer—cross-checked my heart into the boards, and I haven't set foot in that arena since.
But when fate conspires against me, I’m assigned to complete my senior athletic training internship with Nash's team, and forced to work closely with the only guy I've ever loved. You know, the one who skated out of my life freshman year without looking back.
After what happened last time, I know better than to fall for Nash again. Not to mention, there’s a strict no-fraternization policy between trainers and their athletes. Problem is, our chemistry is hotter than ever—and he’s determined to make me give him another chance..
Before we know it, the boundaries begin to blur until we can’t see them anymore. But with so much on the line, I'm risking a lot more than just my heart this time.
*
THE ENFORCER is a steamy second chance college sports romance with a HEA and no cliffhanger.
Paperback
First published June 23, 2022
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About the author
Avery Keelan
15 books5,031 followersAvery Keelan is a sports romance & adult contemporary romance author who writes hot hockey heroes you'll swoon for.
Her stories contain happily ever afters with lovable characters, snarky banter, and enough steam to fog up a mirror. Plus, of course, a hefty dose of drama and angst along the way.
When not writing, she's spending time with her family, watching hockey (obviously), or enjoying the great Canadian outdoors.
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Her stories contain happily ever afters with lovable characters, snarky banter, and enough steam to fog up a mirror. Plus, of course, a hefty dose of drama and angst along the way.
When not writing, she's spending time with her family, watching hockey (obviously), or enjoying the great Canadian outdoors.
Follow on Social Media to receive teasers, updates, sales and more:
Amazon Author Page
TikTok
BookBub
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,066 reviews
March 4, 2023
the whole reason this book is second chance is because he ditched her family’s easter dinner to go on a trip with da boys 🧍♀️
February 27, 2024
nash was written too realistically if i wanted that i would find myself a boyfriend
February 28, 2023
4.5 stars
I have been absolutely loving second chance romances lately and add in the fact that this a hockey romance?! And she's a trainer for the team!? And it's forbidden because she can't have relationships with her players!? And there's a puppy!?! This was so good! I loved the tension between them and how they would get jealous over other people wanting to be in a relationship with the other one. The teammates were also fun and I loved the heroine's friends. The hero has a lot to deal with regarding his relationship with his father, and I appreciated how that developed and played out in the end. I just think the middle went on a little too long, but other than that, this was so good! I can't wait to read more from this author!!
I have been absolutely loving second chance romances lately and add in the fact that this a hockey romance?! And she's a trainer for the team!? And it's forbidden because she can't have relationships with her players!? And there's a puppy!?! This was so good! I loved the tension between them and how they would get jealous over other people wanting to be in a relationship with the other one. The teammates were also fun and I loved the heroine's friends. The hero has a lot to deal with regarding his relationship with his father, and I appreciated how that developed and played out in the end. I just think the middle went on a little too long, but other than that, this was so good! I can't wait to read more from this author!!
March 18, 2023
4 stars
The Enforcer is a second chance sports romance that takes place Nash and Violet’s senior year. Nash is a hockey player and Violet is assigned to be his athletic trainer (she’s doing her internship). The problem? They dated all of their freshman year and things didn’t end well. I always enjoy sports romance and this was a strong start to a new series. I’m looking forward to continuing on.
The Enforcer is a second chance sports romance that takes place Nash and Violet’s senior year. Nash is a hockey player and Violet is assigned to be his athletic trainer (she’s doing her internship). The problem? They dated all of their freshman year and things didn’t end well. I always enjoy sports romance and this was a strong start to a new series. I’m looking forward to continuing on.
Audio book source: Hoopla
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Meghan Kelly & Lance West
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: New Adult Sports Romance
Length: 12h 27m
December 14, 2022
3🌟
“I’m a mess over you,” he murmurs. “You don’t even seem to realize it.”
These two were adorable.
I wanted to read something light since I'd been continuously reading dark romances. At the same time a bit angsty read and "the one who got away" trope always serves as an angsty read.
“You can’t just try to seduce me in the middle of the training room.”
“Fine. I’ll seduce you here instead.”
The chemistry between them is top tier and so was their banter.
“Feeling sassy today, huh? I can fix that.”
Well-
It had a lot of potential but I feel like, it could've been even more angsty if Keelan had mentioned their first couple of years together as well-as in Past part and then present. It definitely would've been it.
Lastly, one thing that grated on my nerves more than anything, throughout the book was that, even while claiming to love each other, they went around and slept with different people.
And I mean, it's sort of okay-ish since both of them were doing it. Unlike in other cases where the H sleeps around and the h remains celibate and sits around plucking flowers. Nevertheless, it did ruin the romance for me.
“Did you kiss him back?”
“Of course, I did. It’s Nash. He’s my own personal brand of heroin.”
“I’m a mess over you,” he murmurs. “You don’t even seem to realize it.”
These two were adorable.
I wanted to read something light since I'd been continuously reading dark romances. At the same time a bit angsty read and "the one who got away" trope always serves as an angsty read.
“You can’t just try to seduce me in the middle of the training room.”
“Fine. I’ll seduce you here instead.”
The chemistry between them is top tier and so was their banter.
“Feeling sassy today, huh? I can fix that.”
Well-
It had a lot of potential but I feel like, it could've been even more angsty if Keelan had mentioned their first couple of years together as well-as in Past part and then present. It definitely would've been it.
Lastly, one thing that grated on my nerves more than anything, throughout the book was that, even while claiming to love each other, they went around and slept with different people.
And I mean, it's sort of okay-ish since both of them were doing it. Unlike in other cases where the H sleeps around and the h remains celibate and sits around plucking flowers. Nevertheless, it did ruin the romance for me.
“Did you kiss him back?”
“Of course, I did. It’s Nash. He’s my own personal brand of heroin.”
June 29, 2022
2.5 stars.
this book wasn't bad exactly i don't know it was just boring and a little too long. i simply cannot bear romance that is 400+ pages because i genuinely don't want to know so many details and it gets repetitive.
i liked the relationship b/w the characters. also the fact that the fmc actually stood up for herself and it was fun seeing the dude get jealous BUT something was missing.
it didn't really serve the angst one would expect from a second-chance romance and they are not really grumpy/sunshine (that's not a criticism, it's just that it was marketed as a grumpy/sunshine book).
tho i do think it is a decent sports romance and you would like it if you like the off-campus series (i don't, sorry).
this book wasn't bad exactly i don't know it was just boring and a little too long. i simply cannot bear romance that is 400+ pages because i genuinely don't want to know so many details and it gets repetitive.
i liked the relationship b/w the characters. also the fact that the fmc actually stood up for herself and it was fun seeing the dude get jealous BUT something was missing.
it didn't really serve the angst one would expect from a second-chance romance and they are not really grumpy/sunshine (that's not a criticism, it's just that it was marketed as a grumpy/sunshine book).
tho i do think it is a decent sports romance and you would like it if you like the off-campus series (i don't, sorry).
November 10, 2024
★★★★☆ - 🌶️🌶️.5
A very good start to this series, and this author. a solid read that kept me wanting to read from start to finish! I love me a GOOD hockey romance, and let me tell you… this is a GOOD hockey romance. 100% going to recommend this book to all my hockey romance connoisseurs out there🫡😉
The romance kept me on the edge on my seat with the mother f*cking TENSION!!! By the time the spicy hit, I was screaming my head off😅
A very good start to this series, and this author. a solid read that kept me wanting to read from start to finish! I love me a GOOD hockey romance, and let me tell you… this is a GOOD hockey romance. 100% going to recommend this book to all my hockey romance connoisseurs out there🫡😉
The romance kept me on the edge on my seat with the mother f*cking TENSION!!! By the time the spicy hit, I was screaming my head off😅
June 4, 2023
! 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝑹𝑬𝑽𝑰𝑬𝑾 !
SPICE RATING: 2/3
“𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒕 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆; 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕.”
Oohh, where to begin, where to begin. I think I'll start off by saying that this was a good book. It's a great book, and I cannot be more thankful to have received an ARC to read it a bit earlier than everyone. This was one of those books that once you were hooked in, you could not put it down. I really really found it hard to put down but at the same time, I wanted to put it down because I didn't want it to be over.
I really really liked a lot of things about this book. First and foremost, I liked the fact that things were realistic and genuine. Violet put herself out there for Nash because she believed in him and truly loved him, she was patient with him and tried her best to understand his point of view on a lot of things.
I also really loved their cooperation with each other. Violet wasn't the only patient one, Nash was as well. He tried his best to be the guy Violet deserved, he went out of his comfort zone and even tried opening up little by little so there would be no fatal mistakes again. The whole aspect of Nash only loving her and only showing himself to her was one of the best parts of this book, I couldn't get enough of it.
A little side character appreciation, I am absolutely in love with the other boys already and their subtle involvements throughout the book and how we get a bit of a sneak peek at what's going on in their lives.
I really enjoyed the chapter lengths as well, they weren't long but they weren't short. They were perfect, in my opinion, because the length and the words didn't give me enough time to be bored whenever the next chapter would be right around the corner.
Overall, this was such an enjoyable book. It's been a while since I read any college/sports romances and ugh, this was a perfect book to get back in touch with trope! I truly cannot wait to read Vaughn and Luna's book next!
One last thing, the spice was...immaculate to say the least. I can't even begin to explain where my head and voice went with the spice. My spice rating says it all.
“𝑺𝒉𝒆'𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒕 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒆.”
SPICE RATING: 2/3
“𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒕 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆; 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕.”
Oohh, where to begin, where to begin. I think I'll start off by saying that this was a good book. It's a great book, and I cannot be more thankful to have received an ARC to read it a bit earlier than everyone. This was one of those books that once you were hooked in, you could not put it down. I really really found it hard to put down but at the same time, I wanted to put it down because I didn't want it to be over.
I really really liked a lot of things about this book. First and foremost, I liked the fact that things were realistic and genuine. Violet put herself out there for Nash because she believed in him and truly loved him, she was patient with him and tried her best to understand his point of view on a lot of things.
I also really loved their cooperation with each other. Violet wasn't the only patient one, Nash was as well. He tried his best to be the guy Violet deserved, he went out of his comfort zone and even tried opening up little by little so there would be no fatal mistakes again. The whole aspect of Nash only loving her and only showing himself to her was one of the best parts of this book, I couldn't get enough of it.
A little side character appreciation, I am absolutely in love with the other boys already and their subtle involvements throughout the book and how we get a bit of a sneak peek at what's going on in their lives.
I really enjoyed the chapter lengths as well, they weren't long but they weren't short. They were perfect, in my opinion, because the length and the words didn't give me enough time to be bored whenever the next chapter would be right around the corner.
Overall, this was such an enjoyable book. It's been a while since I read any college/sports romances and ugh, this was a perfect book to get back in touch with trope! I truly cannot wait to read Vaughn and Luna's book next!
One last thing, the spice was...immaculate to say the least. I can't even begin to explain where my head and voice went with the spice. My spice rating says it all.
“𝑺𝒉𝒆'𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒕 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒆.”
November 25, 2022
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: second chance
Angst: 😱😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥
The Enforcer is the first book in a new series by Avery Newman and I am hooked! This is my first book by this author and it definitely won't be my last. Wonderful characters, great storyline, and the perfect amount of angst to keep you hooked to the end. Really looking forward to the next book in the series!
Trope: second chance
Angst: 😱😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥
The Enforcer is the first book in a new series by Avery Newman and I am hooked! This is my first book by this author and it definitely won't be my last. Wonderful characters, great storyline, and the perfect amount of angst to keep you hooked to the end. Really looking forward to the next book in the series!
January 15, 2023
genuinely please stop writing the “hockey star with no mom present and dad who is super rich and funding his son but also hates his son and thinks he isn’t good enough” story it’s soooooooooo repetitive 🤞
December 2, 2022
This was an ok read. I love college sport romance. I like how jealous/possessive the H was, but I kinda wish he’d found that energy before they both went screwing everyone on campus during the 2 years of their break up. Too little too late in my opinion. Every time he growled that she was his, my sexist judgy mind kept whispering, “yeah, and everyone else’s too, thanks to your idiocy”. 👀😐😐😵💫🙄 It didn’t help that the h kept thinking about all her partners since the hero took her v-card. 🫤😵💫 That sunk the book for me. And added to the tedium. They were both so casual about sex that it really sucked all the intensity out of the situation. They both claim to have loved each other the whole time they were sleeping around. 🥴🫤🫠 I know a lot of readers will like the sexual equality, but it just left me sad and bored.
Also, I wish we’d gotten more than just the night they met as the back ground to their relationship. We go from her thinking that she’s hardly even kissed someone before… to 2 years later and they are reminiscing about their hot BDSM sex life during their very short (a few months) relationship. Then when we get to the 2nd Chance sex, it wasn’t all that edgy. A little too PC to be considered much more than the “vanilla” of their “safe word”. 🙄 This book would have been way more angsty and interesting if we’d been present for those first tempestuous months and not just for the regret 2 years (and numerous partners) later.
Bottom Line? It was ok. I think there was a lot of fluff that could have been paired down. I skimmed a lot of the last 60%. But I finished. 🤷🏼♀️. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚠️SAFETY SQUAD SPOILERS⚠️
- no cheating or sharing - neither person is with anyone else while they are in a relationship
- OW and OM drama - they are both jealous of various people but neither encourage the OP
- no dubcon
- very lite BDSM with some light bondage and mild manhandling - talk/thoughts of choking but it doesn’t happen on page
- both MC have several parters during the 2 year separation
- h was a virgin and the H was experienced when they met their first year of college
- no condom - they do talk safety and both say they’ve never gone without protection with anyone else - h is on BC
- hints and thoughts of domestic abuse (not between MCs)
Also, I wish we’d gotten more than just the night they met as the back ground to their relationship. We go from her thinking that she’s hardly even kissed someone before… to 2 years later and they are reminiscing about their hot BDSM sex life during their very short (a few months) relationship. Then when we get to the 2nd Chance sex, it wasn’t all that edgy. A little too PC to be considered much more than the “vanilla” of their “safe word”. 🙄 This book would have been way more angsty and interesting if we’d been present for those first tempestuous months and not just for the regret 2 years (and numerous partners) later.
Bottom Line? It was ok. I think there was a lot of fluff that could have been paired down. I skimmed a lot of the last 60%. But I finished. 🤷🏼♀️. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚠️SAFETY SQUAD SPOILERS⚠️
- no cheating or sharing - neither person is with anyone else while they are in a relationship
- OW and OM drama - they are both jealous of various people but neither encourage the OP
- no dubcon
- very lite BDSM with some light bondage and mild manhandling - talk/thoughts of choking but it doesn’t happen on page
- both MC have several parters during the 2 year separation
- h was a virgin and the H was experienced when they met their first year of college
- no condom - they do talk safety and both say they’ve never gone without protection with anyone else - h is on BC
- hints and thoughts of domestic abuse (not between MCs)
November 12, 2022
“We’re ancient history.”
“We were too many things to ever be ancient history.”
i’ve been living my best life with a massive headache. in other words: a dry spell, a book slump, that doesn’t want to quit no matter what.
somehow the enforcer made me fall in love with sports college romance (and reading), to an extent, all over again. this reinvigorated me in unfit body, destitute soul and wretched mind. thank you avery keelan.
the characters
nash richards 🏒
nash richards is an absolute grump who hates everyone, but we all know underneath that hardened exterior there’s a softie somewhere. guess what? there is, only for vi, it’s so damn fucking cute it kind of, low-key makes my black heart swoon. i adored this gorgeous boy and all of his stubbornness, including his family trauma and his infuriating inability to realise he is
violet dahl 🌿
i’d like everyone to take at least a second to appreciate the maturity and patience and outright restraint of this heroine. if a 6’4 monstrosity of muscle covered in tattoos and chiselled features was sitting half naked in front of me, you can bet your ass my ass has assumed the position #shameless. vi possess demonic levels of self-restraint my thirsty ass does not apparently.
She’s one of the only people on the planet who doesn’t annoy the shit out of me.
the issues
❌ nash had some bdsm and kink vibes, but the deliverance was
❌ the length of this narrative could’ve been shortened, to be honest. it was a lot of back and forth “she’s mine, fuck off trevor” (or what ever the fuck violet's three second side piece is called) and “i don’t want to do anything with my feelings because i’m an enormous man-child uwu” in 400+ pages.
❌ this is advertised as second chance romance and though there's elements to showcase this, it wasn't demonstrated without flaws. when nash and violent re-awkward-meet after two years of serious avoidance, they fall back into a routine with ease after one minor hurdle, almost as if the two year gap did not exist?
❌ what the fuck happened to angst-filled second chance romances? i demand more flashbacks of cute moments and intense romance to feel something towards that coveted second chance!!!
There is no playing it safe when it comes to love; it’s a contact sport for your heart.
anyhoo, despite my issues, the enforcer is a favourable beginning to the lakeside university series, i can’t wait to find out how the remaining standalones unfold for the other introduced characters/roommates. reese carter, i’m coming for your book, bitch (i’m really only here for snippets of your zaddy, sorry babe) 😘
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June 13, 2022
I loved Nash and Violet’s story!! An amazing second chance romance that will grip your heart and have you running through all of your emotions. Nash is way more than he seems on the outside. His feels run soul deep but with outside forces always in his ear with the negativity he’s trying to learn how to navigate his world and hockey throw in our beautiful, feisty, strong Violet aka the one that got away and this makes for one heck of a story. The chemistry between these two is undeniable their love for one another no matter how hard they try and tamper down their feels bleeds through the pages. Nash wanting to shield Violet from the evil and Violet just wanting Nash to let her in. I loved the introductions to the other guys on the team and to Violet’s friends they are going to make a great addition to the upcoming books in this series and I cannot wait for all the stories to come. This was an excellent way to start off a new series of standalone novels in the Lakeside University Hockey series.
January 13, 2023
3.5 ⭐️ review to come
July 10, 2022
3.5 ☆ | Aaaand I'm back in my college sports romance era!
I really enjoyed this forced proximity second chance romance; both main characters were likeable, both with some secrets, fears and insecurities that shaped them into the person they were now, and also introduced a group of friends/roommates with books to come with interesting tropes (and to no one's surprise, the characters from the last installment were the ones that most caught my attention 👀).
My only qualm is that I was hoping for a bit more of a context or perhaps flashbacks of their past relationship, as that would have really added to the angst and feeling a bit more of the push and pull between them. Bonus points for the puppy tho!
I really enjoyed this forced proximity second chance romance; both main characters were likeable, both with some secrets, fears and insecurities that shaped them into the person they were now, and also introduced a group of friends/roommates with books to come with interesting tropes (and to no one's surprise, the characters from the last installment were the ones that most caught my attention 👀).
My only qualm is that I was hoping for a bit more of a context or perhaps flashbacks of their past relationship, as that would have really added to the angst and feeling a bit more of the push and pull between them. Bonus points for the puppy tho!
June 23, 2022
*ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review*
4/5 ⭐️
2.75/5 🌶
Tropes:
- college sports romance (hockey)
- second chance romance
- athlete x trainer
- jealousy scenes (hero)
- traumatic childhood (hero)
- “i hate everyone but you”
- slow burn
POV: first person - dual
Type: interconnected stand-alone (book one)
Meeting freshman year of college, Nash has eyes for only one girl until his past issues start to affect their relationship. After breaking her heart, Nash finds himself in close proximity of Violet in senior year when she becomes his athletic trainer.
Violet deserves an award for being the most patient person. She was very mature which was a nice change of pace.
I also always appreciate juicy jealousy scenes specially when the hero is one the receiving end.
Sex was ALWAYS on the brain for these two, mainly in the first half of the book. Not even the action of it, just the thought. I hated it.
Also, I swear if I read one more book claiming to have the grumpy x sunshine trope but doesn’t do the trope correctly, imma riot. This was advertised as grumpy x sunshine and it completely missed the mark. Nash could be considered “grumpy” but not really and Violet was nurturing and sweet but definitely not sunshine. These days people think that just because the heroine isn’t depressed and sad, the default is “sunshine”. Sunshine is a bubbly personality, someone who brings light to any situation in a more exaggerating manner with excessive smiles and a positive attitude. Just because the character is the opposite of the hero doesn’t make it qualify as “grumpy x sunshine”.
For example, there was no “he smiles for the first time” moment OR “i haven’t heard him laugh before bc he’s so grumpy but now he is and it’s magical” moment EITHER.
I am super excited for the next stand-alone in the series bc the characters we met are amazing so far!
4/5 ⭐️
2.75/5 🌶
Tropes:
- college sports romance (hockey)
- second chance romance
- athlete x trainer
- jealousy scenes (hero)
- traumatic childhood (hero)
- “i hate everyone but you”
- slow burn
POV: first person - dual
Type: interconnected stand-alone (book one)
Meeting freshman year of college, Nash has eyes for only one girl until his past issues start to affect their relationship. After breaking her heart, Nash finds himself in close proximity of Violet in senior year when she becomes his athletic trainer.
Violet deserves an award for being the most patient person. She was very mature which was a nice change of pace.
I also always appreciate juicy jealousy scenes specially when the hero is one the receiving end.
Sex was ALWAYS on the brain for these two, mainly in the first half of the book. Not even the action of it, just the thought. I hated it.
Also, I swear if I read one more book claiming to have the grumpy x sunshine trope but doesn’t do the trope correctly, imma riot. This was advertised as grumpy x sunshine and it completely missed the mark. Nash could be considered “grumpy” but not really and Violet was nurturing and sweet but definitely not sunshine. These days people think that just because the heroine isn’t depressed and sad, the default is “sunshine”. Sunshine is a bubbly personality, someone who brings light to any situation in a more exaggerating manner with excessive smiles and a positive attitude. Just because the character is the opposite of the hero doesn’t make it qualify as “grumpy x sunshine”.
For example, there was no “he smiles for the first time” moment OR “i haven’t heard him laugh before bc he’s so grumpy but now he is and it’s magical” moment EITHER.
I am super excited for the next stand-alone in the series bc the characters we met are amazing so far!
June 19, 2022
If you are a fan of "The Deal" you'll most likely love this one.. some parts i enjoyed while others left me very unsatisfied i wish we would have seen Nash and Vi in their relationship as this is a second chance romance that was skimmed over, also Both MC's talked a big game and made it seem like they were into some BDSM stuff while at the most it was vanilla with some dirty talking. I liked the secondary characters, i liked that we got that forbidden aspect with sexual tension, jealous scenes and what not but yeah i was bored some times. Liked seeing Nash in his element at the games with his teammates. I would like to give the second book in this a shot it sounds good.
ARC was provided in exchange for a honest review which all opinions are my own. I mean no disrespect ever.
ARC was provided in exchange for a honest review which all opinions are my own. I mean no disrespect ever.
June 7, 2023
★★. He spent 50% of the book talking about sleeping with other girls and being angry Violet slept with other guys. He only realized he loved her when he found out about her car accident. HE was mad at her for the breakup when it was his fault.
It had potential to be really good and angsty. But the constant hypocrisy of him getting angry when Preston when was with her but he was allowed to have a girl hanging off him or it was okay for his old fling to be flirty with him? I don’t mind the guys being with other people, but don’t be hypocritical and not allow the same with the females.
Hopefully if Drew and Savannah get a book, it’ll be better!
It had potential to be really good and angsty. But the constant hypocrisy of him getting angry when Preston when was with her but he was allowed to have a girl hanging off him or it was okay for his old fling to be flirty with him? I don’t mind the guys being with other people, but don’t be hypocritical and not allow the same with the females.
Hopefully if Drew and Savannah get a book, it’ll be better!
October 30, 2023
I was lucky to be able to read the arc for this book and loved it. Nash is a complicated character who honestly I couldn’t help but love. He was hard and tough with everyone except for her and I loved that. The steam was amazing with these two and you really really felt that their chemistry. I have no doubt the rest of the series I’m gonna love when they come out.
January 20, 2023
I DNF this book twice! It’s too long and massively boring.
Read
January 13, 2026Note to self: Both are with OP during 2 year separation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2023
3.5 stars. The Enforcer is a standalone, second chance, college hockey romance from Avery Keelan! I recently read Offside by this author and was excited to dive into more of her backlist and heard great things about this one.
We see Nash and Violet meet as freshmen in college at a party when she approaches him needing help in being her fake boyfriend. We then cut to a few years later, it’s their senior year, and we find out they did date after that first meeting but broke up. Nash finds out that the hockey team’s new athletic trainers include Violet, his ex!
“The only thing worse than having a “one that got away” is knowing you’re the one who pushed her to leave. — Nash
Violet is in the athletic training program and can’t believe her bad luck when she gets stuck with her ex’s hockey team for her senior-year athletic training internship. Nash and the teammates are warned to keep their hands off interns but Nash and Violet find themselves falling back into one another’s lives. He starts driving her home after school/training when he finds out she doesn’t have a ride currently. They end up rescuing a puppy together (Biscuit), which was so cute! Nash definitely has a toxic father in his life (CW: verbal, physical abuse). I did do the audiobook and the female narrator was not my fav. I thought this was solid/good, but I didn’t love it as much as I did the couple in Offside.
We see Nash and Violet meet as freshmen in college at a party when she approaches him needing help in being her fake boyfriend. We then cut to a few years later, it’s their senior year, and we find out they did date after that first meeting but broke up. Nash finds out that the hockey team’s new athletic trainers include Violet, his ex!
“The only thing worse than having a “one that got away” is knowing you’re the one who pushed her to leave. — Nash
Violet is in the athletic training program and can’t believe her bad luck when she gets stuck with her ex’s hockey team for her senior-year athletic training internship. Nash and the teammates are warned to keep their hands off interns but Nash and Violet find themselves falling back into one another’s lives. He starts driving her home after school/training when he finds out she doesn’t have a ride currently. They end up rescuing a puppy together (Biscuit), which was so cute! Nash definitely has a toxic father in his life (CW: verbal, physical abuse). I did do the audiobook and the female narrator was not my fav. I thought this was solid/good, but I didn’t love it as much as I did the couple in Offside.
March 18, 2023
THE ENFORCER
● Violet & Nash
● internship / hockey player
● senior year in college
● prologue: freshmen year. they met at a party pretending where Violet had Nash pretend to be her boyfriend when a guy won’t stop harassing her
● they dated after that all through their freshman year
● Nash has gone 2 years without bumping into Violet
● when they originally broke up Nash pushed her away
● Violet is doing her internship with the hockey team as an athletic trainer
● Nash's dad was abusive
● N&V rescued a puppy together
● second chance
● sports romance
● Violet & Nash
● internship / hockey player
● senior year in college
● prologue: freshmen year. they met at a party pretending where Violet had Nash pretend to be her boyfriend when a guy won’t stop harassing her
● they dated after that all through their freshman year
● Nash has gone 2 years without bumping into Violet
● when they originally broke up Nash pushed her away
● Violet is doing her internship with the hockey team as an athletic trainer
● Nash's dad was abusive
● N&V rescued a puppy together
● second chance
● sports romance
Audiobook source: Hoopla
Narrator: Meghan Kelly & Lance West
Length: 12H 27M
November 11, 2022
4.5 ⭐
"The most important part of my life isn’t hockey or my career. She’s sitting in section 106, row 5, and she’s my whole fucking world."
"The most important part of my life isn’t hockey or my career. She’s sitting in section 106, row 5, and she’s my whole fucking world."
May 21, 2023
3⭐️
This book was cute! This book is a second chance romance that follows Violet and Nash. They cross paths again in their senior year of college when Violet gets an internship for the college hockey team that Nash plays on. This book goes through the ups and down of why their relationship didn’t work out the first time and how things are different now. They both work through their issues and learn to trust each other and out each other first! This book was super cute!
Favorite Quote:
“I’ll always want more than that with her.”
This book was cute! This book is a second chance romance that follows Violet and Nash. They cross paths again in their senior year of college when Violet gets an internship for the college hockey team that Nash plays on. This book goes through the ups and down of why their relationship didn’t work out the first time and how things are different now. They both work through their issues and learn to trust each other and out each other first! This book was super cute!
Favorite Quote:
“I’ll always want more than that with her.”
August 16, 2022
This was a nice, steamy and overall swoonworthy sports romance. A good read imo. Second chance romances are usually a hit or a miss for me since they tend to emotionally exhaust me - it's safe to say that this was def a hit. I've read Avery's work right since wattpad, with Offside being one of my absolute fav works by her. The only reason I'm not giving this book a complete 5⭐️ is because of Violet's character. I wish she wouldn't have given in so easily to Nash...prolly should've made him grovel a little. Other than that, this was a very enjoyable book🥰
June 25, 2022
Keelan’s words are the perfect tease, a sinful balance of pleasure and adoration. And Violet and Nash? A contact sport for the heart in which I craved every strike!
A delicious blend of Hockey and Romance, The Enforcer is a slow burning flame, so captivating my heart stopped keeping score of each beat skipped and every flutter delivered. The language used and the vivid detailing brought LSU and the characters worlds to life, and the level of attraction and burning desire was skilful and enticing. The push and pull of rekindled feelings and the high stakes bearing down provided the perfect dose of drama and tension, and I appreciated the time that was taken to mend the broken trust, even as the currents of attraction and dormant chemistry raged between Vi and Nash.
There is a maturity to Keelan’s writing and characters, and a certain tender vulnerability the heart which beats beneath the heartache and toxicity instilled behind their actions. The strength and the patience of both Violet and Nash, despite their hurts and their fears, was endearing, and I adored Violet’s awareness of her worth and what she deserved. Nash was tough and reserved with just the right amount of soft and sweet in his protective stance towards Violet and determination to do better by her this time around. The sparks flew with every touch and adoring look, and the steam they created together was electric, and I just loved these two. This was a second chance you believed in, a love worth fighting for.
Nobody writes Hockey Romance’s like Avery Keelan, and this series is pitching to dominate on and off the ice as it scores hearts worldwide.
Thank you to the author and Greys Promo for the advanced copy. This is my honest review.
A delicious blend of Hockey and Romance, The Enforcer is a slow burning flame, so captivating my heart stopped keeping score of each beat skipped and every flutter delivered. The language used and the vivid detailing brought LSU and the characters worlds to life, and the level of attraction and burning desire was skilful and enticing. The push and pull of rekindled feelings and the high stakes bearing down provided the perfect dose of drama and tension, and I appreciated the time that was taken to mend the broken trust, even as the currents of attraction and dormant chemistry raged between Vi and Nash.
There is a maturity to Keelan’s writing and characters, and a certain tender vulnerability the heart which beats beneath the heartache and toxicity instilled behind their actions. The strength and the patience of both Violet and Nash, despite their hurts and their fears, was endearing, and I adored Violet’s awareness of her worth and what she deserved. Nash was tough and reserved with just the right amount of soft and sweet in his protective stance towards Violet and determination to do better by her this time around. The sparks flew with every touch and adoring look, and the steam they created together was electric, and I just loved these two. This was a second chance you believed in, a love worth fighting for.
Nobody writes Hockey Romance’s like Avery Keelan, and this series is pitching to dominate on and off the ice as it scores hearts worldwide.
Thank you to the author and Greys Promo for the advanced copy. This is my honest review.
June 13, 2022
Solid hockey romance with all the feels that comes with a second chance romance. My only complaint was that our h was really vanilla with her kink. The way they both talked had me thinking she was super freaky, but the sex scenes were really tame imo. Or I'm just used to reading crazy shit now, lmao.
I'm really looking forward to the rest of this series though!
**full RTC
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions **
I'm really looking forward to the rest of this series though!
**full RTC
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions **
December 27, 2022
ive never heard anyone talking about this series but now im kinda obsessed??? nashviolet are so cute
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