I absolutely love Courtney Walsh’s books—she’s one of my favorite authors for clean, closed-door romance. Her stories are always sweet, heartfelt, and deeply relatable, and this one was no exception.

This was an utterly charming hockey romance with a fun fake dating trope, likable characters, and a cozy small-town setting. I adored the playful chemistry between the main couple, the witty banter, and especially the sassy, snarky grandmother who stole every scene she was in. The side characters were just as delightful, and I loved getting to know Poppy’s family. It was also a nice touch that her father is deaf, incorporating sign language naturally into the story. Plus, I’m already looking forward to seeing another one of her sisters in another book in this series!

One of the things I appreciated most was the complete absence of strong language or spice—just a wholesome, romantic story that still packed plenty of swoon-worthy moments. I also loved that there was no frustrating third-act breakup or overused miscommunication trope. Instead, this was a mature, heartfelt romance between two adults who actually communicated like adults.

This book made me laugh, swoon, and even tear up toward the end. While it’s a light and fun romcom, it also has surprising emotional depth, as both Dallas and Poppy must confront their pasts and work through personal struggles. The themes of forgiveness and grace, especially learning to extend that grace to yourself, were beautifully woven into the story.

If you enjoy sports romances, sweet and uplifting love stories with real emotional depth, and the fake dating trope done right, then you must pick up this book. Courtney Walsh never disappoints, and I will always recommend her books. This one was SO good—highly recommend!

**This book is part of a contemporary romance real-time reaction episode, which you can listen to here.