A humiliating break-up leads to an impulsive New Year’s Kiss with a complete stranger.
What could possibly go wrong?

It’s no secret that I love life. And Dr Pepper. But also, I love a challenge. . .

So when the coach of the Chicago Comets gives me the opportunity to help their star player, newly traded to their team, acclimate to life in Chicago, I’m all in.

I have to be. After my last job went up in flames, I have something to prove.

It turns out that the player, Grayson Hawke, is the rudest, most off-putting, reclusive guy I’ve ever met.

It also turns out that he is the beautiful stranger I kissed on New Year’s Eve.

I can do this job. I can do this job. I can do this job.

And I can. Really well.

I can make Gray’s life easier, show him all the reasons to fall in love with this city, and in the process, hopefully completely forget that the amazing kiss ever happened.

How hard can it be? We’re total opposites anyway.

I love people . . . and all their stories. Gray loves hockey . . . and nothing else.

I love to talk. Gray only stares.

I’m happy-go-lucky. Gray’s all work and no play.

There’s just one problem. The more time I spend with Grayson Hawke, the more I start to see that underneath his bristly, standoffish exterior, he’s nothing like the man everyone thinks he is.

And suddenly, all the reasons for keeping my distance, staying professional, and not falling for someone again. . . are impossible to remember.

Cue Gushing: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book!! An easy 6 stars—if I could give it more, I would! This book just dethroned my previous favorite and now officially holds the title of my all-time favorite romcom. (Apparently, sports romances are my thing now—The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams used to hold the top spot on my romcom list!)

This is the fourth book I’ve read by Courtney Walsh, and she has solidified her spot as one of my favorite romance authors. I really appreciate that her stories are clean and closed-door—no cursing, no spice—just heartfelt romance, great characters, and genuine emotion.

This is the second book in the series about the Hart sisters, and I actually loved it even more than My Phony Valentine. This story follows Eloise, the youngest sister, and she completely stole my heart. She’s lovable, spunky, sweet, and incredibly relatable. She’s insecure, constantly comparing herself to her “perfect” sisters, feels like a walking disaster, but still believes the best in people. A total sunshine character—goofy, chatty, optimistic, and always trying to turn awkward moments into something funny or heartwarming. I adored her vulnerability and the way she wears her heart on her sleeve. All she wants is a simple, joy-filled life: a husband, a few kids, a dog, and love. Her character resonated with me so deeply.

This book gave me all the feels—I was a full-on, blubbering mess by the end. Courtney Walsh doesn’t just write cute romcoms; she brings real emotional depth to her stories. There’s powerful character growth and heartfelt life lessons woven throughout. In this one, the messages that stood out were: stop worrying about who likes you, stop trying to please everyone, and start doing what truly makes you happy.

The romance is classic sunshine/grumpy, and Gray was VERY grumpy—almost hard to like at first. But once Eloise started breaking down his walls, he became such a lovable, layered character. I also adored his daughter, Scarlett, a sassy preteen who stole every scene she was in. Watching Scarlett and Eloise form a close bond was one of the sweetest parts of the story. It’s dual POV, which I appreciated both perspectives. 

There’s so much to love here: hilarious banter, swoony romance, laugh-out-loud moments, and tender emotional beats. The friend group of hockey players added fun and warmth, and the Hart family dynamic was just as heartening. This book ticked every box for me.

The story is set around St. Patrick’s Day, but the holiday plays such a small role that it can easily be enjoyed any time of year.

Highly, highly recommend!

If you haven’t read the first book yet, I’d suggest starting there. It gives helpful background on the characters, and many return in this story. But whether you start with book one or jump into this one, you’re in for an absolute treat!