Brother's Best Friend Hockey Romance Recommendations

I feel like a broken record when it comes to the brother's best friend trope, but it truly is one of my top 3 favorite tropes. I can't help it. It's just so good. Plus I think a lot of people have their favorite tropes, so why not lean into it a bit.

Now when I posted my Brother's Best Friend Romance recommendations post the other day, I had mentioned that I could probably do an entire post just based on hockey. So here I am. 

I went through all of the hockey romances that I have read, with the exception of a few where tropes weren't crystal clear (ahem: Aven Ellis), and compiled a list. Turns out I have read 12 that feature the brother's best friend, or best friend's sibling, trope. Three of these I mentioned in my other post, therefore I won't repeat what I said about those. I will however still list them. 

What is your favorite trope? Or are you like me and have a top 3? Also, have you read any of these hockey romances? Any books that I should read? I'd love to know all the things.

Happy Reading,
Laura

Let's start with the three books I had previously mentioned. They were:

The Risk Taker by Gina Azzi

Something So Irresistible by Natasha Madison

Maxim by Samantha Whiskey

Now for the new recommendations!

Wheeler by Samantha Whiskey

I loved the Seattle Sharks series from Samantha Whiskey! I cannot think of a single book that I didn't enjoy. So many various tropes, and the characters were all amazing. Lukas and Faith's story was no different. Lukas hired Faith as his personal assistant after her brother suggested it. Well Lukas has had a thing for Faith for a while now, and this is going to make working in such close proximity interesting.  The goal is to keep things platonic and maintain that friendship. Well that is until the sparks fly.

Change on the Fly by Maren Moore

Change on the Fly was an emotional read. Not necessarily because of the relationship between Reed and Holland, but because of the situation with Reed's nephew. That storyline gutted me. But witnessing Holland assist Reed with caring for Evan was everything. Then Reed stepping up and taking care of the issues Holland was having as well? Yep, so good. Reed is a protector through and through, and this story just solidified that. These two characters pulled me, and I loved getting to know them, as well as all of the friends and family.

Sneaking Around with #34 by Piper Rayne

Oh Warner! This man has quite the past, and he tried to keep his upbringing a secret. Part of his past has to do with Imogen. Who is Imogen you ask? Ford's sister. Yes the same Ford who Warner is now teamed up with. This second chance romance was my favorite of the Hockey Hotties series. I loved how we learned about the past, how it was affecting the present (relationship/teamwork with Ford & Warner), and then witnessing the happily ever after in progress. This book had it's emotional moments, it's tense moments, and some passionate ones as well. 

Scoring to Win Duet by Maren Moore
The Scorecard & The Final Score

Oh what to say about this duet. Graham and Emery's story will take you through the wringer. Graham and Reed are good friends, and Reed is Emery's big brother. So things are tense in that situation. But when a night together leads to a pregnancy, their lives are about to flip upside down. Not only that, but they are now in a fake relationship. The problem with that is they don't get along. They are constantly butting heads. Yet somehow they end up falling. The Scorecard does end on a cliffhanger of sorts, so make sure to have The Final Score ready to go. Their story is going to take you on a ride. It will be emotional. You will want to smack one or both of them upside their fictional heads. Yet at the same time you may just fall for this couple, and find yourself cheering them on as they get their happily ever after.

Cross Checked Hearts by Cali Melle

Cross Checked Hearts is the very first book in the Wyncote Wolves series from Cali Melle. What better way to kick off a series than with the brother's best friend trope! Or maybe that's just my opinion. Anyway, Logan and Isla have known each other for years. That goes to show how far back Logan and August go. Now though Isla is starting college, and her brother is having her move into the apartment he shares with Logan. Surely nothing will happen with these two living in the same space. No way will they act on any feelings. Yeah right, of course they will. 

Splintered Ice by Cali Melle

Splintered Ice is the sixth book in the Wyncote Wolves series, and we are revisiting the trope! Except this time it is Sterling falling for his sister's best friend. Olivia just transferred to Wyncote, and she knows no one. So her bestie contacted Sterling, and told him to make sure Olivia has a good time, and finds some friends. Olivia's had a crush on Sterling for a while now, and all this time together might just cause the friendship to blur a bit. Even if Sterling thinks he should avoid at all costs. After all that crush might not be so one-sided. 

Covered by Elise Faber

If you know me at all you know that I am OBSESSED with the Gold Hockey team. It is seriously one of my favorite hockey series, and I will devour every book that is released. I will also devour every spin off (see: Rush Hockey). Ben is falling for his best friend's sister. Jordyn is a recently single mom, and Ben is stepping in to help her out. After all that single mom aspect is something he's familiar with, since it's how he grew up. I loved their relationship. I loved how the team surrounded Jordyn with love and community. Then there is Jordyn's kids who were adorable. One of my favorites from the series.

Bad Crush by Rebecca Jenshak

Oh look it's another college romance! This was my introduction to Rebecca Jenshak's storytelling, and it hooked me. Adam and Reagan's story tugged at my heartstrings. I went through a variety of emotions. I loved the setting, I loved the characters, and everything that happened in the book. Reagan falling for Ginny's big brother was so good.

Charming As Puck by Pippa Grant

This is the fourth book in the Copper Valley Thrusters series from Pippa Grant. If you're unfamiliar with Pippa's writing style, it is pure rom-com. The male characters are always an interesting group, and the females are typically smart, strong, and independent. It's a unique mix to say the least. Now it's been a few years since I've read this book so I can't remember much about it. What i do remember is that it was funny, it had a good storyline, and I put on Goodreads that it was my favorite of the series. Also when it comes to the trope, it's actually a version of that trope. Our heroine is falling for her best friend's brother. I always love how the best friend reacts, and the majority of the time I feel that they are all for it. 

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10 of My Favorite Brother's Best Friend Romances

It should come as no surprise that I ADORE the Brother's Best Friend (and/or sister's best friend) trope. I've spoken about that before. Maybe it goes back to the fact that I grew up with two older brothers, and had a crush on a few of their friends way back then. That could play a small part in it. Maybe. No matter what though I'm obsessed and I find myself gravitating toward those stories. I think another part of it is similar to the friends to lovers trope. It's this person that you know, that you see on the regular, and an attraction just builds, or has the potential to build.

As brother's best friend is one of my top three favorite tropes I figured I'd share a few recommendations. Those that I selected are 10 of my favorite books that feature this trope. Of course there are other tropes that these books fall into as well, but I selected them for the brother's best friend trope. (psst: one is actually a sister's best friend book.) Be proud of me, I only shared 3 hockey romances. In all reality I could have probably had an entire post dedicated to hockey.

Have you read any of these titles? Do you have any recommendations for the brother's best friend trope? Fill me in on your favorites!

Happy Reading,
Laura

Brogan by Samantha Whiskey {a review}

Samantha Whiskey did another surprise book release! When I read the text, and spotted the post on Facebook, I was absolutely giddy. The timing was perfect too because I had just finished reading a book, so I could immediately jump in. And that I did.

Brogan is the ninth book in the Carolina Reapers hockey series, and prepare yourself for this single dad and the nanny story. It also has the forced proximity, grumpy-sunshine, and surprise baby tropes.

As the story kicks off, we have Brogan out running with his teammates. Upon arriving home he spots a car seat sitting at his doorstep. He immediately panics. Brogan fully believes he is not meant to be a dad. Especially not with the upbringing he had. When he sees the baby waiting in the car seat he's nervous, anxious, and confused. A quick phone call to Silas (the owner of the Reapers) results in a meeting at his office. Silas quickly orders a paternity test, and they decide not to get law enforcement involved. Should Brogan not be the father, then they'll make the call. With the season getting ready to begin, Brogan doesn't know how he will handle raising a baby on top of his job. Thankfully Langley is there, and she has a nanny headed to them now. Fiona recently earned her doctorate in psychology, is trying to figure out what she wants for her future career, and needs to start paying her student loans. She had met Langley while interviewing to nanny her baby, but they went another route. Langley knew her qualifications though, and knew she'd be perfect for Brogan and Skye. Fiona had grown up taking care of her siblings, and had no problem jumping in to help with Skye. What started off as a nanny job for Fiona, quickly turned into falling for her boss, and being scared of the future. Could Fiona get over the commitment issues she had? Could she finally understand that she won't end up like her mother?

First things first, I have loved all of the sports romances that Samantha Whiskey has written. I have. Yes I've had minor dislikes with one or two, but overall those didn't affect the storyline, or my enjoyment of the book. That is the case with Brogan's story as well. Yes there are a few things that I didn't particularly care for, but I still enjoyed and devoured the book. It was like coming home, and seeing those friends who you've been missing. That is the Reapers, and their significant others. I've read quite a few nanny and the athlete/single dad romances lately, and I'm here for it. No matter how many I read, I still fall for the characters and their lives.

So let's talk about the book. Brogan comes across as someone with a tough guy exterior, but is a teddy bear for the woman he loves, and his kids. He thinks he is scarier than he is. My gut also tells me he has a bit of confidence issues when it comes to relationships because of the death of his parents. Somehow I think he hasn't completely properly grieved that, even though it has been years. The moment he found Skye, you could see his tough guy shell start to crack. This little gal was quickly wrapping him around her finger. Skye did not make it an easy transition for Brogan either. Whether it was the change in environment, or her age (2-3 months), she was frequently upset. I loved when the team stepped in to get the house ready for Skye, and all that they did for Brogan. The Reapers are a family, and the team definitely showed that. Same with Silas and what he did for Brogan after finding Skye on his doorstep. Then there is Fiona. Fiona had the potential to be an amazing character, yet I don't think she was well thought out. Her she had all this experience with kids because of practically raising her many siblings, and then was her education. I cannot figure out why she chose to be a nanny versus finding a career that would utilize her doctorate! But once I look past that, I see how she was able to bring light into Brogan's world. She showed him love, she showed him compassion, she was caring, she was not just there to take care of Skye, Fiona jumped in to help Brogan as well. I enjoyed their relationship, and the stolen moments they had. Fiona's commitment issues I struggled with. You could see her wanting forever with Brogan, but then thoughts of her mom would creep in, and poof those HEA thoughts were gone. Had her backstory been a more active part of the book, I think this could have been a 5 star read. I also wish that Samantha Whiskey had explained WHY Brogan is referred to as Demon. Why he thinks he's this big scary guy. That wasn't answered. Who he might be on the ice, isn't who he is off the ice. My last issue was regarding Tiffany. She could have been better utilized in the big dramatic moment between Fiona and Brogan. There was the potential for so much tension, frustration, and heartache, but it wasn't. Now I'm not saying the dramatic moment wasn't, well, dramatic, because it was. It was just a bit soft. I did enjoy their reunion, and how they found their way back together. And of course I enjoyed seeing them get their HEA, not to mention seeing them a bit later in the epilogue.

While Brogan and Fiona were not my favorite couple, I still fell for their story. On Goodreads I rated the book as 4 stars. I am sticking with that rating too. I know myself, and I know that I will be recommending Samantha Whiskey's books for other sports romance fans. I'm not letting those few tidbits alter my rating. (although the book should be sent back through proofreading because there were a few typos/grammar issues.)

Is it time for Maxim's story? Because as Brogan's story was going on, I noticed snippets of that story being built. I love me a good best friend's sibling romance, and I have a feeling it's going to be a doozy. Also, is Silas going to get a story? Because that man deserves it. I'd love to see him find his person like Nico in Only One Touch was able to.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on Brogan. If you'd like to discuss it further with me, please reach out! I'd love to chat.

Laura

They call me Demon for a reason—I’m the most ruthless Reaper on the ice.

I’m not the person who finds a baby on their doorstep.

Except, after a morning run, I am.

And the note accompanying the little bundle says she’s mine.

I was nothing but a burden on my aunt and uncle after my parents died, and I’d decided I’d never have children.

But it seems fate has other ideas, and now I’ve got a three-month-old daughter…and zero clue how to take care of her.

Insert my new nanny—Fiona Andrews, the gorgeous, stubborn, and more than qualified woman who is saving my ass.

She moves in, and suddenly my upside-down world feels more balanced than ever before.

She’s magic with my daughter, patient with me, and has a mouth that drives me wild.

There are lines we can’t cross, shouldn’t cross…and yet keep crossing.

I’m falling fast, but it’s not just my heart that’s at risk anymore, and if we eliminate those professional boundaries?

I could lose them both.

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Meet Samantha Whiskey

Shameless pen name of a PTA Reject.

Writing contemporary romance from the car pool line and NEVER telling my mother. Ever.

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Caspian: Carolina Reapers #8 {a review}

The other day I mentioned that there was a new book coming in the Carolina Reapers series by Samantha Whiskey. Well, Caspian is now available, and let me tell you, it was FABULOUS!

If you enjoy sports romance, small town romance, the girl next door trope, the sibling’s best friend trope, or the fake dating trope, then trust me when I say you’re going to want to read Caspian! Because this book, it has it all. Plus since it’s a Reapers book, we get to see all of the other teammates. So yay for that!

Caspian has recently returned to his home town in preparation for his sister London’s wedding. Shortly after arriving home, Caspian’s mom corners him and tells him that Ryleigh needs a date to the wedding. She has just had her heart broken, and it’s all the town can talk about. When Ryleigh appears at the house with her mom, it turns out that Ryleigh was given a story as well. Her mom was trying to convince her to take Caspian to the wedding, as he’s been away for so long and knows no one. Basically these moms are trying to play matchmaker. Caspian ends up convincing Ryleigh to attend all the events with him, and tells her it will cause her ex to be jealous, which just might knock some sense into him. Perhaps this will fix their relationship. That’s all Ryleigh needs to hear. She’s in. So for the next two weeks, Caz and Ryleigh are together constantly. They attend all the events together, make her ex jealous, and end up falling for each other. Naturally. Then there’s the big dramatic moment, and all hopes of a HEA are about to go crashing to the ground. Until there’s a grand gesture put into motion. This grand gesture could save it all.

This book y'all. I can’t even. I loved getting to meet back up with the Reapers. I love that London chose to have her wedding in her hometown. I love how the moms set up Caspian and Ryleigh. I love how Caspian didn’t really fight it. I just love how everything played out within the story. There was not a part of the story that I didn’t like. The big dramatic moment, was just that, a big dramatic moment that caused issues for Ryleigh and Caspian. I fully expected Caz to react the way he did. I did not expect Ryleigh to do what she did though. Caspian’s grand gesture I saw coming, but that didn’t matter one bit. (although deep down inside I didn’t want it to happen.)  It was still everything I wanted from the story, from the characters, from Samantha Whiskey.  I’ll fully admit I cried toward the end. BUT, that ending has me hopeful for things to come. If that happens, I will be so freaking giddy. Nothing is confirmed there though, so I’ll speak no further on the subject.

Loved the book. Loved the characters. Loved the setting. Loved the tropes that were used. I just loved it. Samantha Whiskey’s books just make me happy.

Thank for taking time to read my thoughts,
Laura

She’s the girl next door, and for the next two weeks I’ll be her NHL star boyfriend.

When Ryleigh Dunham needs a date for my sister’s wedding—one confident and sexy enough to make her ex jealous—I’m more than happy to sign up for the job.

After all, Ryleigh isn’t the feisty teenager I used to know—now she’s all fiery passion, delectable curves, and a smart mouth I can’t get enough of.

Only problem is, I can’t stop the electricity crackling between us every time we’re “faking it.”

And the longer we play the game, the harder I’m falling.

Ryleigh feels it too, but she’s stuck in a past that refuses to let her go.

Now I’m playing for her future, and if we can’t see beyond our stubbornness, we may lose our shot at one hell of a happily ever after. 

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A New Carolina Reapers Book? Say WHAT?!?

 

Friends, when I opened up Facebook this morning I was surprised to see a post from Samantha Whiskey. In that post, Samantha announced that the next book in the Carolina Reapers series is coming. ON SUNDAY! CASPIAN’S STORY IS COMING!

And yes, I was having a Jessie Spano moment when I read the news. Yes, I am beyond excited because it feels like it’s been forever since Briggs was released. But I’m also “scared” because I know I’ll read the book so dang fast, and then I’ll be without a Samantha Whiskey book to read. Such a bookworm problem, I know.

I took a moment to squee like the fangirl I am, and then instantly went to Amazon to see if there was a pre-order link. Sadly there was not. Then I went to Goodreads to add it to my TBR, but it’s not there either. UGH.  I just want to do my normal fangirl procedure. But since I cannot, I am sharing the news with all of you.

If you are someone who enjoys sports romance, more specifically hockey romance, and you enjoy the fake dating trope, then keep Caspian on your radar. You’re going to want to read it. Trust me. Also, if you haven’t read the Seattle Sharks series or the Carolina Reapers series, what are you waiting for? Go get them. If you have Kindle Unlimited, you can read them for free!

So what’s the story about? Well, I’m glad you asked. Here is the teaser that Samantha Whiskey posted in the announcement.

𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐀𝐍

She’s the girl next door, and for the next two weeks I’ll be her NHL star boyfriend.

When Ryleigh Dunham needs a date for my sister’s wedding—one confident and sexy enough to make her ex jealous—I’m more than happy to sign up for the job.

After all, Ryleigh isn’t the feisty teenager I used to know—now she’s all fiery passion, delectable curves, and a smart mouth I can’t get enough of.

Only problem is, I can’t stop the electricity crackling between us every time we’re “faking it.”

And the longer we play the game, the harder I’m falling.

Ryleigh feels it too, but she’s stuck in a past that refuses to let her go. 

Now I’m playing for her future, and if we can’t see beyond our stubbornness, we may lose our shot at one hell of a happily ever.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go start a countdown on my phone. And set a reminder for Sunday. Not that I really need it, but allow me to fangirl.

If you've read any of Samantha Whiskey's books, then chances are you know how giddy I am over the news! Stay tuned for my review, because it will happen next week.

Thanks for reading my thoughts,

Laura