I really wanted to love this story but I feel like I just liked it and that was a little disappointing.
Lucky Bounce is about a pro hockey player who falls for his daughter's PE teacher (who happens to be his biggest fan). This is a story of a typical outgoing, talkative guy who seems to be too much for most everyone, charming the grumpy, silent type.
When we first meet Zeke I found his crazy, meandering, syntax to be distracting. Actually, having ADHD myself it was like being in my own head and I need more structure than that is what I read. Lol I feel like it calmed down a bit as the story went on but was still distracting at times.
I would have really loved to have an alternating pov to give us Spencer's thoughts. It would have been nice to know his motivation and where his daughter came from earlier in the story. And Spencer blushed constantly! It was really too much! I really did like the characters, I just wanted more from them.
Once the two got together we didn't hear anymore about roommate Jake and his girlfriend, the other PE teacher or any of Spencer's teammates. All of these people seemed like they all had backstories I wanted to hear but they were tossed aside. There was a new focus on Spencer's family but why? When the story wrapped up so quickly they weren't really relevant either. I felt like there was a lot of setup of friends and family that never paid off.
The spicy scenes seemed like they would start detailed and then just drop off, "and we're done". I was confused if the story wanted to be more explicit or maybe closed door. I really couldn't tell.
Being that I'm not from the northeast or a hockey fan there were a few terms and abbreviations that I had to Google. It felt like those thing could have been explained better.
I really liked this story and the characters but the story as a whole needed more refining and editing. I would probably read more from Cait but I need more detail given to plot and tying up loose ends.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
A huge thank you to Netgally, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this arc.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an arc. I read this a couple weeks ago. I remember enjoying it, but honestly, otherwise it's not that memorable. A fun, quick, queer hockey romance for fans of the genre.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC, all views are my own. I adored this story. I thought the characters were well-rounded and the story was engaging. The only thing that bothered me was sometimes the modern slang they used seemed out of place in some parts and it took me out of the moment.
However, I definitely would read more by this author, a fun love story.

(4.25/5)

i ate this book up!! the plot was super fun! it has a unique idea that combines a bunch of good tropes. spencer is a famous hockey player with a secret child, and zeke is the PE teacher of said child. it was adorable to see addie and how she got along with both of them :’) they made their own little family unit, and i love how domestic and supportive their relationship was. it was great to see how addie brought up the soft side of spencer.

the dynamic between the two main characters was so cute, i was giggling the entire time. i LOVE how the grumpy guy who hates talking about emotions blushed all the time. no matter how much he tried to hide his feelings, one look at his face revealed everything. it was such good character trait, that you couldn’t help but adore him. i’m still thinking about him - something about the tough guy with the sweet little kid and the nonstop blushing made him into such a lovable character. it was really funny to see the switch between POVs - while in spencer's head, you can see how much he tried to act cool and mysterious; but then you switch to zeke's pov and you see that spencer is just a very obvious mess.

the pace of the book was perfect. despite both of them being oblivious, the story didn’t feel long, and i wouldn’t have even minded a few more chapters following their lives. there wasn’t any big miscommunication scene, and i feel like all the surrounding characters added to the story. so, the romance was super cute, the background characters were lovable, and the tiny bit of plot really tied it all together. i would highly recommend this book to anyone who needs some fun hockey romance !

it took me so long to write this review because i genuinely enjoyed the book so much, to the point i didn’t even take notes while reading it. usually when i’m reviewing books, i try to write my thoughts as i get through the book, but i just didn’t want to stop reading this one :) the writing style was so cozy and easy to read, the story moves along quickly, the romance is adorable, and the background characters are awesome!

Lucky Bounce by Cait Nary is a hockey romance. Ezekiel Boehm is no stranger to teaching kids with famous parents. But when the pro hockey player he’s been thirsting after walks into the Rittenhouse Friends School gym hand in hand with a tiny kindergartener, he figures he must be hallucinating. Spencer McLeod is a lot of things—Zeke’s favorite winger on the Philadelphia Liberty; a menace on the ice; a mumbling, reluctant but somehow captivating-as-hell postgame interview—but he’s not a dad. Except he is. Apparently. Zeke can be chill about this. He can. Surprisingly, the more time he spends with Spencer, the easier this becomes. School volunteer events turn into reserved seats at games, and turn into more. And even though Zeke is 100 percent committed to ignoring Spencer’s blush, to ignoring the way he looks in that one pair of gray sweatpants, he can’t take his eyes off him. This can never work. Can it?

Lucky Bounce is a solid romance. I loved the getting to know you stage between Zeke and Spencer, and the single dad aspect makes everything more real and important. I liked the friends and family that made up the secondary characters, and that I felt that we really got to know some of them and how they relate to and connect with the main players. I would love to see more about a good number of the secondary characters. I liked that they have to work to find a way to find their connected time, and that it is acknowledged that this could be hard and that work, media, and parenting will all contribute to future challenges. However, I did feel like the book was missing a bigger moment. There was A moment of clarity at the end of the book but it just did not feel like a satisfying ending for me. I do not know exactly what I wanted, but I know I wanted something more.

this truly had the potential to be great, but it wasn’t. the plot was great, but cait not making it a dual pov story was her downfall. spencer seemed like an interesting character, but not getting his pov made it hard to relate to/understand him. there were a lot of things about him that i wanted to know & understand, but didn’t get the chance to. it was hard for me to root for him as much as i wanted to. i think if it were dual pov, it would’ve easily been a 4-5 star read for me

even though my complaint was a big one, i did enjoy the story. i thought addie was a super cute kid and i love the idea of a parent falling for their child’s teacher. i also love a golden retriever x black cat book and that was definitely what zeke and spencer were!

there was also a line that said, “zeke would die for him. it’s really that simple.” and that was so relatable to me. i’m that delusional sometimes and i loved relating to zeke with that!!

Absolutely delightful! Spencer and Zeke grabbed my heart quick with all of their fumbling attempts at communication and I was so happy to watch them get it together. Side characters only added to this charming hockey romance and the spice was perfect. Will gladly be recommending this to others.

Thank you to Harlequin, Carina Press, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

*giggling and kicking my feet* I'm a big fan of a fun, little romp of a book which is exactly what this is. The main character, Zeke's, perspective is so funny and brilliant. I love Addie, the kiddo who brings Zeke and Spencer together. Genuinely, it was silly and fun. My main complaint about this book is that I wanted more. I wasn't fully convinced that the main character and love interest are in *love* love by the end of the book. Also, the end felt very rushed, and I was left a bit unsatisfied.

Overall, if you're looking for a quick, easy read, this is a good one to pick up. If you're looking for something with a bit more depth to it, maybe skip this one for now.

I've great enjoyed Cait Nary's books, especially her ability to write believable chemistry between two characters, so I was excited to pick this one up. Lucky Bounce focuses on a romance between a hockey player and an elementary school teacher, and has Nary's excellent sex scenes and fun banter. I especially liked how Spencer's young daughter, and her life and needs were given space and attention in the story and by the characters. I was looking for more of the building connections and developing relationship between the two of them, however (beyond sexual attraction), and was especially was hoping to understand Spencer's characterization and arc better, which ultimately felt underdeveloped. Despite that, this was an entertaining romance, and I look forward to more of this author's books.

This one was pretty cute. We had a single dad who happens to be a hockey player, and the daughter of said father starts her new private school in the other hero's class. The hardest part with this novel for me was the fact that I had a hard time telling which hero was which. Their voices were hard to distinguish for me. If they made this into a film, I would be all over it.

This single hockey dad x kid's gym teacher romance was a wonderful read. The chemistry between them was delightful and I just really enjoyed it. Cait's writing style is so unique.

This book ends too early. I don't mean that in the I wasn't ready for it to end kind of way, but in a it feels like in order to avoid the third act breakup trope the entire third act was just removed. Which is. a shame because I really, really liked the book until it ended so abruptly. And thats even with me being from the Philly area and being thrown off every time something was referred to in a round about way and having to correct liberty to flyers the whole boom. The tension between Spencer and Zeke was great, the supporting cast was lively enough that I bought everyone as real people with their own lives. But the story just needs more to be finsihed.

"Lucky Bounce" by Cait Nary was like stumbling upon a treasure chest of slow burn delight, reminiscent of Alexis Hall's brilliance. Zeke, our lovable bundle of nerves and charm, took me on a rollercoaster of emotions that had me laughing and cheering louder than a sports fan at a game.

So, picture this: Zeke, an elementary PE teacher in Philly, has his world flipped when he discovers his hockey crush, the mighty Spencer FREAKING McCleod, is not just a sports legend but also a secret dad to a cute five year old. And not just any dad, but the one with the enigmatic aura and a knack for showing interest in our dear Zeke.

Zeke's journey is a wild ride of surprises. Spencer, in his gruff glory, seeks Zeke's help, tries to navigate school events (emphasis on 'tries'), and even throws in front-row tickets to his games, probably to witness Zeke's reactions up close. Spencer's mood swings, subtle actions, blushes, and possibly smashing a rivals cursèd face into the glass during a game for dramatic effect – it's a symphony of attraction, leaving Zeke questioning if it's all too good to be true.

Narrated entirely from Zeke's third-person perspective, this book adds a refreshing twist. Zeke's relatable charm and Spencer's intriguing complexity create a dynamic duo that keeps readers hooked. The spice in their interactions is like the perfect hot sauce – a bit imperfect, scorching hot, and exactly what you need.

"Lucky Bounce" doesn't shy away from diving into deep waters. Zeke's dealing with family rejection and job insecurities, while Spencer treads the tricky waters of single fatherhood. But fear not, amidst the struggles, the story is a heartwarming tale supported by the hilarious shenanigans of Spencer's teammates and Zeke's buddies.

For lovers of Alexis Hall's slow burn magic, "Lucky Bounce" is your ticket to a rom-com-meets-hockey extravaganza. Zeke's charm, Spencer's complexity, and the narrative finesse make it a must-read MM hockey romance. It's a delightful journey where love meets self-discovery, and I guarantee you'll be cheering for this duo louder than ever. Score one for Cait Nary!

Thank you Harlequin Books, NetGalley, and Cait Nary for this ARC!!

I really enjoyed this book! Only thing that would make it better is if it was longer. I would have liked to learn more about the characters.

Lucky Bounce was a pretty quick easy read. I wish we would have got dual POV for Zeke and Spencer and not just Zeke.

I did like the relationship beween Zeke and Spencer but wish we got more. It felt a little rushed about half way through and the ending was kinda abrupt.

I’d definitely be interested in checking out some of this authors other books.

Thank you to Carina Press and Netgalley for this copy.

When Zeke, an elementary school gym teacher, holds his annual parent-teacher conferences, he doesn't expect to see his favorite professional hockey player, Spencer, on the other side of the table. It's even more surprising when Spencer begins leaving him tickets to games... texting him... inviting him to Thanksgiving... When Zeke finally realizes Spencer is romantically interested in him, the two begin a supposedly casual relationship while Spencer navigates the hurdles of dating with children and playing professional hockey. But when things start to get serious, they wonder if the timing is just all wrong and it's not worth the risk.

I had read another of Nary's m/m sports romances and enjoyed it, and was excited to read this one, as well. Both of hers that I've read are on the longer, more emotional side, and particularly character driven. This book is a bit meandering and really would have benefitted from dual POV. I ultimately enjoyed it, as I love Spencer and Zeke, and their totally normal-seeming relationship. However, this book has no real ending. It just kind of ends... Perhaps this is more realistic that a dramatic grand gesture, and I personally hate the engagement/marriage/baby epilogues so common in romance, but I did feel like there needed to be something more just to wrap things up or make them more exciting toward the end. I would still recommend this one, particularly those looking for a m/m hockey romance between a player and his biggest fan.

Thanks to Harlequin for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4 stars - 8/10

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. Because I've given it a low start rating, but it's a queer book, I have not publicly reviewed it on Goodreads. I am passionate about making sure more queer novels are published, so even when I do not enjoy a book, I do not want to risk reducing the number of queer novels that are green-lit each year by publicly disparaging a book.

This book reminded me that I need to be more careful about choosing m/m romances, and particularly about paying attention to the gender of the author. I had really high hopes for this book based on the description but it fell flat. In particular, the book struggles because it seems to not have a point? At a few points, the author seems to leave breadcrumbs about future conflicts - for example, the fact that Spencer is so reluctant to be public had me expecting them to be outed by a sports reporter, or something - but instead the book just ends without any real story arc or payoff.

In the end, this book felt like a waste of time, even though there were so many kernels of excellence sprinkled throughout. It could easily have been an excellent book with the right editor helping the author craft a more well-developed narrative.

I finished it, but I barely remember it after finishing it.

I love a sports romance and teachers and parents, and all the tropes but this didn't do it for me unfortunately

LUCKY BOUNCE by Cait Nary is a lovely m/m romance between a teacher and a professional hockey player. Ezekiel Boehm has crushed on Philadelphia Liberty player Spencer McLeod for ages. But respectfully. And never imagining that (a) Zeke was ever going to actually meet Spencer, nor that (b) these feelings of attraction might possibly be reciprocated. When it turns out that Spencer is actually the parent of one of the students at his school, this is the best and worst possible thing that could happen.

Cait Nary’s story is sort of a lovely golden retriever of a book, with charming characters whom you can’t help but root for and fall for, whether you think of yourself as a dog person or not. Zeke and Spencer are far from perfect, and I can well imagine wanting to hug them and occasionally shake them or shake my head at them as they work through their issues and learn to communicate and to adult more. But Nary’s characterizations are rich and immersive, and Spencer and Zeke’s friends and families are equally full of life.

Lucky Bounce is an excellent read, and fans of Nary’s other work will enjoy this as well. If you enjoyed Rachel Reid’s Time to Shine or Ari Baran’s Delay of Game, you will likely be a fan here too. I very much look forward to more from the talented Cait Nary.

This is one of those books that had a lot of potential but didn't necessarily follow through. I think it would've been perfect if it had been dual POV - I think having the entirety of the focus on Zeke was a lot, especially because he was all over the place. The buildup wasn't great overall with the relationship even though I was so excited for the potential of it.