I love a good hockey romance from time to time and this one did not disappoint. It was cute but still handled some heavy topics. I may have shed some tears because of the FMCs health struggles.
Overall a solid 4 ⭐️ and perfect palette cleanser.

The voice actors did a really good job!

This book certainly wasn’t bad by any means, but it did feel very juvenile at times. I appreciate what the author was trying to accomplish, and there were definitely some positive aspects that stood out. For example, I loved how comfortable Farrah was in her own body, despite her ex constantly body-shaming her. That level of self-acceptance was refreshing to see, and the book’s positive, progressive views on adoption were another highlight. It’s clear the author was trying to deliver meaningful messages, and I genuinely respect that.

However, a lot of the other elements felt over the top and somewhat unbelievable. The dialogue and character reactions sometimes came off as exaggerated, which pulled me out of the story rather than immersing me in it. That’s not to say this is a bad read by any means! It’s light, easy to get through, and has some genuinely charming moments.

I think, ultimately, this book might just be aimed at a different target audience than me. It has its appeal, and I can see why many readers would enjoy it. It just didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

Farrah has been through a lot when it comes to relationships and health. I really enjoyed how she is a character that many women could relate to. Bruce is the greenest of green flags!! The way he cares so much for his family and friends makes you fall instantly in love with him! If you are in need of a fade-to-black hockey romance this is the book for you.

TW: depictions of PCOS, infertility, and divorce. These are tough themes to read. Take care when reading. I sure got emotional when listening (I did the audiobook).

A great end to the D.C. Eagles Hockey series. I love a good he falls first, dual POV romance and this one was exactly that. Add in a divorced baker FMC with PCOS and infertility and a rom-com loving French Canadian adopted goalie and I was a goner. Farrah and Bruce were easy to cheer for and while this can be read as a standalone, there were also some fun cameos with past characters in the series. This was great on audio, had tons of heart and humor and is highly recommended for fans of other hockey sports romcoms like Gigi Blume's Toronto Titan's series. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Quick Summary: A hockey romance

My Review: Secret or Shutout by Leah Brunner is book #4 in the D.C. Eagles Hockey series. It is a "dual POV, fade-to-black romance that can be read as a standalone." It is scheduled for release on 3/27/25.

About the Book: "A 6'5 NHL goalie walks into a bar and meets the love of his life..."

In My Own Words: After a chance encounter, an unexpected connection is made between a man (Bruce) and a woman (Farrah). After some drinks, a little laughter, loads of chemistry, and a most memorable kiss, they part ways. Little do they know that they will soon meet again.

Question to Consider: Is it possible to know that you have found your forever love after a kiss?

About the Characters:

A divorcee with a heart for family, sweets, and love meets the man of her dreams on the very same night she signs her divorce papers. Although she doesn't trust in what they have together (at least in the beginning), as she spends more and more time with the golden haired goalie, she learns that there is more to him than meets the eye.

A hockey pro with a heart for family, community, and an age ain't nothing but a number approach to love meets the woman of his dreams when he least expects it. Once he has a taste of her, he knows that he wants her in his life for keeps.

About the Audiobook: This book was narrated by Alex Picard and Lee Samuels. I was locked into their storytelling from the start. The cutest voice, of course, was that sweet, little angel. I enjoyed the entire listening experience.

My Final Say: I super loved this story! The characters were great. The issues presented were real. The challenges were understandable. The emotional arc was on point. The family/extended family dynamics made sense. I adored Bruce and Farrah. It was wonderful.

Other: This gem is a read on repeat romance. Potential readers should be aware that this novel "contains mild language and depictions of PCOS, infertility, and divorce."

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Series: Yes
Status/Level: 💖
Audiobook: Yes (Listening Speed: 2.0)
Narration: +

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Dreamscape Media), and to NetGalley. Thank you for providing access to an ALC in exchange for an honest critique. It was an absolute pleasure to review this work. All of the words and thoughts I have shared are my own.

Love the DC Eagles and this story between Farrah and Bruce. Bruce was different than typical hockey goalies, except for the superstitions. He was not a grumpy, stay to himself guy but a loving, family guy. His relationship with the foster kid that he helps was one of my favorite parts. When he meets Farrah, they have no clue who each other are and they are shocked to find out that Farrah's brother is Bruce's hockey teammate/captain. When he learns that there is interest there, he shuts it down and Farrah and Bruce tip toe around each other till they decide that they can't anymore. The family tension there was great since Farrah's brother just wanted to protect her. I love the family connections here and the real conversations between. Farrah and Bruce and between Farrah and her friends. Great read!

•𝐀𝐋𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰•

{𝐃.𝐂. 𝐄𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐲: Book 4}

🥅 Release Date: March 27, 2025 🥅
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What a great ending to this series! After book 3, which I wasn’t a big fan of, I wasn’t sure what to expect with this last book, but I ended up really enjoying it! It does have a bit more content than some sweet/clean reads (see content notes below), but I felt like that didn’t detract from the story at all.

After going through a rough divorce, Farrah ends up at a bar, where she proceeds to meet and kiss the man of her dreams. But the next morning their budding relationship comes to a grinding halt when Farrah discovers that her dream man is no other than her brother’s teammate from the D.C. Eagles, and everyone knows that she’s been forbidden to date any of the hockey players.

As time goes on, Farrah moves on from the hunky, blonde hockey goalie and starts a business with her friend, Melanie. Bruce, on the other hand, has most definitely NOT gotten over the curvy, brunette beauty he met at the bar that fateful night. When, in a turn of events, the two are forced to work together a few times, the feelings come flying back for Farrah and are rapidly escalated for Bruce. The news of their newly budding relationship does not go over well with Farrah’s brother, Remy, and cold hostility forms between the teammates. When the only option to keep everyone happy is to make their relationship a secret, will it be able to last and hold up under all of the pressure, or will the lies come tumbling down on their heads?

Reasons to read this book:
🥅 HOCKEY
🥅 She’s older & a curvy FMC
🥅 He falls harder
🥅 She’s his good luck charm
🥅 WAGs
🥅 Nella 🥰
🥅 PCOS awareness

The audiobook version of this book wasn’t quite as good as reading the actual book. The narrator’s voices weren’t as good as some books, but they were still very easy to listen to.

Content Notes:
• innuendo
• language
• fade to black
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I received a complimentary advanced listener’s copy of this book through NetGalley and Dreamscape Media. All opinions listed are purely my own.