4.15🏒🧁

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Saying goodbye to the D.C Eagles Hockey boys feels both heartwarming and a little bittersweet. This finale carried a nostalgic tenderness, tying up their journeys in a way that left me smiling while also tugging at my emotions. It didn't quite edge out books four as my personal favorites, but it still delivered a beautiful send‑off. And making this whole series so worth to binge read.

Secret or Shutout gave Bruce and Farrah the spotlight, and their romance was chaotic, sizzling, and full of depth. Bruce, the flirty yet loyal goalie, finally got his most‑deserved HEA, and watching his softer, protective side shine through with Farrah was heart‑melting. His reaction to her PCOS and infertility struggles was pure green‑flag energy, proving he's the perfect mix of tough and tender.

Farrah, meanwhile, was the one who tested my patience. Her trauma and baggage made her constantly doubt Bruce, even when his words and actions screamed commitment. Honestly, I wanted to slap her for complicating things when the solution was right in front of her. I mean, the damned dude had been flirting with her from the very last year and still agreed to wait patiently even when she didn't reciprocate the gesture. If that isn't devotion, what is girl, are you blind? And yet, Bruce's persistence, his willingness to be patient and steady, became the balm to my frustration. It reminded me why he's another ultimate book boyfriend bcs he never gave up. And I was so freaking relieved when Farrah eventually came to her senses.

Their slow‑burn, slightly forbidden (since they agree to hides their relationship not to mention labels it as no label and her brother kept believing Bruce is move on from his sis and Farrah is finally get rid of him, aka fuck this plot) romance had me giddy, screaming at my pillow, and begging for them to kiss already. The team and WAGs cheering them on added that found‑family sweetness I've loved and so truly adored throughout the series. The medical content was handled with care was heartbreaking yet hopeful, showing how pain and love can coexist.

That said, I did feel the finale was a little rushed. Some sections dragged, while the epilogue lacked the emotional closure I craved for the rest of the characters. Still, Bruce and Farrah's chemistry was immaculate, their journey from doubt to devotion was worth the wait, and the D.C. Eagles remain one of my favorite fictional teams ever. This whole series is also might as well lives rent free in another part of my empty heart.

Massive appreciation to Lee Samuels and Alex Picard for bringing Bruce and Farrah to life so perfectly. Lee captured Bruce's flirty, charming goalie energy while also letting his softer, loyal side shine through. Alex balanced that beautifully with Farrah's stubborn resilience and quiet strength, making her feel layered and real. I've always admired how Lee adapts to any partner, and Alex complemented him seamlessly here. Their synergy elevated the entire story. I can only hope I'll get to hear them paired again in the future, ideally in a duet format that highlights just how well their voices blend.

Overall, binge reading this series was another experience I would not regret about. Leah Brunner has officially proven that closed‑door romance can live rent‑free in my heart. From the very first prequel, her writing style clicked with me instantly—something that rarely happens. Every relationship she crafted was captivating, from playful banter to slow‑burn yearning, swoony tension, and those reassuring epilogues that tie it all together. I was swept up in the serotonin‑rich sweetness and emotional depth of each book, and this series is proof that clean romance can be heartfelt, fun, and full of joy. Add it to your TBR pile immediately or I'll come sprinting after you like the chaotic unhinged, knocking at your windows at the middle of the night 🫵🏻😼💥🏃🏻‍♀️

4.45🏒🤱🏻

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Okay, I loved this book so much. The marriage‑of‑convenience trope, which I doubted at first, completely proved me wrong. Ford and Amber's strong communication and commitment kept their relationship steady, with no unnecessary breakup drama which was the cherry on top. The only thing that nagged at me was how I binge‑read it all during the week but saved the full review for the weekend, which made me reflect on whether I should lower my standards for Ford's character. In book five, he does come across as an ass (though still for understandable reasons). Even so, this story was close to five stars for me, and I don't think I'll regret how much I adored it.

Betrothal or Breakaway is the kind of romance that made me smile until my cheeks hurt. Ford and Amber's bond is tender, wholesome, and pure; two childhood best friends whose connection only deepens into adulthood. Their marriage of convenience, born out of necessity, blossoms into something real thanks to their open communication and the fact that they’ve always been each other’s first love.

Ford is the ultimate book boyfriend: protective, endlessly kind, and completely down bad for Amber and her baby daughter, Nella. The way he spoils them, comforts them, and talks to Nella (cutest overload aadjsflkj) melted me every single time. Amber, in turn, knows Ford so well; always making sure he's comfortable and cared for. Together, they form a family that feels both heartwarming and inevitable.

The found‑family vibe of the D.C. Eagles adds even more joy, with teammates and family moments that are hilarious, supportive, and refreshing. Leah Brunner also deserves credit for the thoughtful portrayal of Ford's neurodivergence, which made his character feel layered and real. This book is pure serotonin: sweet, funny, emotional, and so damn adorable that I was literally kicking my feet, screaming at my pillow, and throwing my device across the bed from the cuteness. Amber, Ford, and Nella are perfection, and their story is one I'll carry with me for a long time.

Kudos to David Bendena and Alex Picard for portraying Ford and Amber with such precision and heart. Their performances captured the tension, banter, and emotional depth of the story perfectly. I loved how their voices complemented each other, it stirs the emotions within me.

Finally!!! Bruce's book is next! That face‑off with Farrah, Ford's middle sister, in the epilogue was so intriguing. I can't help but be eager for what's coming. So hell yeah, I'll be catapulting straight into Secret or Shutout like it owes me the ultimate final boss of screaming, wheezing, throwing‑up level reads 💥🏃🏻‍♀️

4.25 🏒📚

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Okay, Colby and Noel's book was the one I'd been dying to get to. And at first the whole "he's teaching her how to date" angle had me rolling my eyes. But once the girls helped Noel see the difference, combined with Colby's persistence to truly win her over, it all clicked. His efforts made the payoff so worth the wait, and I was hooked.

Flirtation or Faceoff is pure sweetness wrapped in fiery chemistry, and Colby absolutely stole my heart from page one. His relentless, swoon‑worthy efforts to win Noel over made their friends‑to‑lovers journey feel natural and deeply rewarding. Noel's relatable hesitations about love balanced perfectly with Colby's persistence, creating banter that was off the charts and tension that kept me hooked.

What stood out most was the found‑family vibe of the D.C. Eagles. The bromance energy between the teammates was hilarious and wholesome, especially the scene at Remy's gym where they made a "Knight in Shining Armor" list for Colby. And it melted me completely. The friendships, both male and female, added depth and warmth, grounding the romance in community. Colby's soft, protective side and Noel's intelligent, nerdy resilience made them a perfect match. Their dating lessons, tender gestures, and fiery chemistry set the book aflame.

And while the romance stays closed‑door, Leah Brunner proves again that steamy kisses, heartfelt growth, and emotional payoff are more than enough to make the story shine. Overall, this was funny, swoony, and full of heart.

Grateful shoutout to Neill Thorne and Alex Picard for portraying Colby and Noel so perfectly. Their performances captured the heart of these characters with spot‑on delivery, and I loved the way their voices complemented each other. I truly hope to see them collaborate again in the future, ideally in a duet format that highlights their synergy even more.

Remy's book has been teased since the very epilogue here, and I'm dying to see how his story unfolds. The setup about him stepping in to help his childhood best friend who neglected by her baby daddy already has me hooked. So of course, I'll be jumping straight into Betrothal or Breakaway, fully prepared to burn alive in whatever chaos and swoon Leah Brunner has waiting 💥🏃🏻‍♀️

4.05🏒👩‍👦🏻

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Well, okay… I thought I hated Mitch, but it turns out he's dear to me now. That initial dislike melted away almost instantly once his story began to unfold. This book was surprisingly good and so enjoyable, hitting right in my taste. Both main characters had their own appeal, which made the journey even better.

Desire or Defense is an emotional yet swoony sports romance that completely brings comfort. Mitch and Andie's story blends tension, banter, and tender love in a way that feels both fiery and deeply moving. Their meet‑cute was straight‑up electric, and Andie's sass brought out Mitch's grumpy, broody into his teddy‑bear side in the best way. Watching them face their tragic pasts while supporting each other was warming, and Mitch's character growth stood out, I was so proud of him.

The chemistry between them only grew stronger, with soft moments that melted me and angst that added depth. Mitch's bond with his teammates and with Andie's brother Noah was precious, grounding the romance in friendship and family. Bonus points for the thoughtful representation of mental health and therapy, which made the story even more impactful. Also, the good communication Mitch and Andie have was the cherry on top.

Leah Brunner's writing pulled every emotion out of me; swoony, heartfelt, and serotonin‑rich. Overall, Mitch and Andie are absolute perfection, and this book proves that sports romance can deliver both fun banter and emotional chaos in equal measure.

Huge appreciation to Dane Anderson and Alex Picard for bringing Mitch and Andie to life so perfectly. Their performances captured the grumpy‑teddy‑bear charm of Mitch and the fiery resilience of Andie with spot‑on delivery. I really enjoyed their combination and would love to see them team up again in the future tho.

Okay, next up is Colby and Noel's story. And their banter is so very completely off the charts. Colby's persistence to win her over against Noel's playful attempts to push him away makes for the kind of romantic chaos I live for. Well, color me eager. So of course, I'll be racing straight into Flirtation or Faceoff like it owes me the answer I've been waiting for 💥🏃🏻‍♀️

4.45🏒💻

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Okay, I honestly don't get why this book has such a low rating bcs it delivered so much more than expected. I only wish it had been expanded into a full novel instead of a prequel novella. As the series opener, it works beautifully, laying the groundwork with charm and heart. Even if it wasn't a full‑length book, it still gave me the kind of fulfilling reading experience I’d been craving from start to finish.

Passion or Penalty is a clean sports romance novella that left me wishing it were a full‑length novel. Sports romance always has a special place in my heart, and this one reminded me why. West, the lovable hockey dork, completely stole the show. His dynamic with Mel was adorable, especially as their time apart gave them space to grow before reconnecting. Their reunion was sweet, full of banter and gestures that made me melt.

The journal, the encouragement, the way he supported her through her fears without letting her give up. Communication stood out as one of the strongest aspects, not just between West and Mel, but also with his best friend, making the story feel refreshing and grounded. Set against the backdrop of professional hockey, the novella balances ambition, romance, and personal growth with ease. It's light, engaging, and brimming with serotonin‑rich sweetness. Overall, it's a gem of a prequel that captured my heart and left me craving more time with these characters.

Special thanks to Neill Thorne and Catherine Ho for voicing West and Mel with such heart. Their performances captured the characters perfectly; West's lovable dorkiness and Mel's quiet strength came through in a way that made the story even more engaging. I really enjoyed their combination and would love to see them work together again, hopefully in a duet format that highlights their synergy even more.

Next up is Mitch's story, technically the first full book in the series. I'll admit, he drove me crazy here with his grouchy, moody, grumpy persona, but I know there's more beneath the surface. Now I can’t wait to see which woman finally matches his energy and breaks through that wall. So yes, I'll be diving straight into Desire or Defense like it owes me the answer I've been dying to know 💥🏃🏻‍♀️