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A Rookie Mistake
Caden Kelly
They all say I was born with a natural talent. But skill isn’t the same as passion, and I’ve never loved hockey. Not the spotlight, not the pressure, and definitely not the expectations that come with being my father’s son.
I dream of a quieter life—one where I build and create instead of perform for a crowd. But in my father’s world, dreams are irrelevant. Control is everything. And he’s a ruthless expert at keeping me in line. So when he pushes me to sign with a new team far from home, I don’t argue. I never do.
Then Asher “The Ace” Landry steps onto the ice and into my life. I’ve seen his face on screens countless times, Stanley Cup champion turned assistant coach. But in person, he’s nothing like I imagined. Thoughtful. Attentive. Safe. And somehow, he sees me, even when I’m trying my hardest to disappear.
The truth is, I’m lost. On the ice. In my family. And in these new, confusing feelings Ash stirs in me. But something’s shifting, and as the pressure builds to a breaking point, I realize maybe it’s time I start fighting for my life, not the one planned out for me.
They all say I was born with a natural talent. But skill isn’t the same as passion, and I’ve never loved hockey. Not the spotlight, not the pressure, and definitely not the expectations that come with being my father’s son.
I dream of a quieter life—one where I build and create instead of perform for a crowd. But in my father’s world, dreams are irrelevant. Control is everything. And he’s a ruthless expert at keeping me in line. So when he pushes me to sign with a new team far from home, I don’t argue. I never do.
Then Asher “The Ace” Landry steps onto the ice and into my life. I’ve seen his face on screens countless times, Stanley Cup champion turned assistant coach. But in person, he’s nothing like I imagined. Thoughtful. Attentive. Safe. And somehow, he sees me, even when I’m trying my hardest to disappear.
The truth is, I’m lost. On the ice. In my family. And in these new, confusing feelings Ash stirs in me. But something’s shifting, and as the pressure builds to a breaking point, I realize maybe it’s time I start fighting for my life, not the one planned out for me.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 5, 2026
78 people are currently reading
473 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
March 7, 2026
DNF at 60%
I was hoping for a good hurt/comfort hockey romance.
But it turns out I really have an issue with the dynamics of a romance between a rookie player and an assistant coach.
And just when I thought they had talked about how inappropriate it would be, they decide to go for it anyway.
And since I really wasn't feeling the attraction between them or the emotions, I was not on board with this romance.
I was hoping for a good hurt/comfort hockey romance.
But it turns out I really have an issue with the dynamics of a romance between a rookie player and an assistant coach.
And just when I thought they had talked about how inappropriate it would be, they decide to go for it anyway.
And since I really wasn't feeling the attraction between them or the emotions, I was not on board with this romance.
March 10, 2026
Yeah so unfortunately, this was not it for me in any way...
I think the book started off with a lot of promise, the age gap being 21 and 29 with a power dynamic was something I wasn't SUPER enthused about, but getting into it, I thought I could still rock with it. But Asher, being the 29 year old, was somehow so much less mature than Cade, the 21 year old. Some of that is absolutely down to Cade's abusive past, but still. The pacing of the book was the biggest problem for me, I think. I appreciate the amount of time we spent in the will they won't they of it all, it lasted until 50%, and I think that could've been correct given the layers of forbidden it was. But then it went from a kiss to sex to boyfriends, to a five week time jump that skipped over all of the actual getting to know each other as a couple bits, to meeting Asher's family, and then everything ties up in a nice bow, Zane (the coach) gets mad for a couple of pages but then gets over it, Cade's dad (the abusive washed up piece of shit) gets mad for a couple of pages but then is somehow forced to get over it by his angel of a chronically ill wife, who orders him into silence, which is somehow an order he obeys despite her (justifiably) leaving him like two pages later.
There's more to say, like how "My sweet Cade baby" is one of the longest grossest terms of endearment I've ever read, or how we spent the whole book confused about who should be a blue right-justified text bubble (the sender whose POV it is) and who should be a grey left-justified text bubble (literally anyone else) and how sometimes someone would switch from blue to grey in the middle of the same text conversation, but I don't actually want this to be a hate rant so I'll stop. I don't think this was intended to be the start of a series, but if it turns out to be, I don't think I'll be continuing.
Thank you to GRR for an eARC of this title, this is my honest review.
I think the book started off with a lot of promise, the age gap being 21 and 29 with a power dynamic was something I wasn't SUPER enthused about, but getting into it, I thought I could still rock with it. But Asher, being the 29 year old, was somehow so much less mature than Cade, the 21 year old. Some of that is absolutely down to Cade's abusive past, but still. The pacing of the book was the biggest problem for me, I think. I appreciate the amount of time we spent in the will they won't they of it all, it lasted until 50%, and I think that could've been correct given the layers of forbidden it was. But then it went from a kiss to sex to boyfriends, to a five week time jump that skipped over all of the actual getting to know each other as a couple bits, to meeting Asher's family, and then everything ties up in a nice bow, Zane (the coach) gets mad for a couple of pages but then gets over it, Cade's dad (the abusive washed up piece of shit) gets mad for a couple of pages but then is somehow forced to get over it by his angel of a chronically ill wife, who orders him into silence, which is somehow an order he obeys despite her (justifiably) leaving him like two pages later.
There's more to say, like how "My sweet Cade baby" is one of the longest grossest terms of endearment I've ever read, or how we spent the whole book confused about who should be a blue right-justified text bubble (the sender whose POV it is) and who should be a grey left-justified text bubble (literally anyone else) and how sometimes someone would switch from blue to grey in the middle of the same text conversation, but I don't actually want this to be a hate rant so I'll stop. I don't think this was intended to be the start of a series, but if it turns out to be, I don't think I'll be continuing.
Thank you to GRR for an eARC of this title, this is my honest review.
February 27, 2026
Thank you to Gay Romance Reviews for the ARC of A Rookie Mistake!
I loved this.
Asher Landry and Caden Kelly, two of the freaking sweetest CinnamonRollSunshineTeddyBear MC’s you will ever EVER meet!!
I have big ol’ heart eyes for both of these guys.
Caden’s story broke my heart. That poor boy had to grow up fast… taking on all the responsibilities while dealing with insane family stress, taking care of his sick mother and absolute worthless father, paying all the family bills, all while being severely verbally abused (and sometimes physically) by his father AND navigating his hockey career.
That is, until his sexy *coach* Knight in shining armor, Asher, steps in *swoon*!!
Asher is a 29 year old guest co-coach for the AHL Hammerheads team and also the -injured- star center of NHL Titans team. And Caden is the 21 year old Rookie player for the Hammerheads (because his father forced him to stick with hockey even though it’s not what he envisioned for his career path).
Cade’s nervousness around Ash was so damn sweet. And not just because Ash was his literal hockey hero (I’m talking posters in his bedroom of Ash and everything! A true fanboy!). Ash trying to hold back his feelings for Cade was adorable, even though we all knew from the first time they laid eyes on eachother it was RIDE OR DIE!
And let me just tell y’all, I’m a ‘first kiss’ junkie. Caden and Asher’s first kiss moment was *maybe* one of my favorite first kiss scenes ever. That entire hotel scene was just perfect! And they didn’t even fuck. I’m still getting goosebumps thinking about the vulnerability and forbidden aspect and the TOUCHING.. ugh, that was way too good.
And then Ash is like ‘I want you to take some time and really think about this’ and I’m over here like ‘NOOOOOOOO, NO THINKING! JUST FUCK HIM AND LOVE HIM FOREVERRRRR’
Supporting characters were goddamn FIRE! I loved every single one of them. Especially Kait - Caden’s fierce BFF! And Hawkins & Kovac!! Pleaseeeeee tell me they’re gay and bangin in secret? THEY NEED A BOOK NEXT! I loved them so much!
“Cade baby….”
*melting*
I loved this.
Asher Landry and Caden Kelly, two of the freaking sweetest CinnamonRollSunshineTeddyBear MC’s you will ever EVER meet!!
I have big ol’ heart eyes for both of these guys.
Caden’s story broke my heart. That poor boy had to grow up fast… taking on all the responsibilities while dealing with insane family stress, taking care of his sick mother and absolute worthless father, paying all the family bills, all while being severely verbally abused (and sometimes physically) by his father AND navigating his hockey career.
That is, until his sexy *coach* Knight in shining armor, Asher, steps in *swoon*!!
Asher is a 29 year old guest co-coach for the AHL Hammerheads team and also the -injured- star center of NHL Titans team. And Caden is the 21 year old Rookie player for the Hammerheads (because his father forced him to stick with hockey even though it’s not what he envisioned for his career path).
Cade’s nervousness around Ash was so damn sweet. And not just because Ash was his literal hockey hero (I’m talking posters in his bedroom of Ash and everything! A true fanboy!). Ash trying to hold back his feelings for Cade was adorable, even though we all knew from the first time they laid eyes on eachother it was RIDE OR DIE!
And let me just tell y’all, I’m a ‘first kiss’ junkie. Caden and Asher’s first kiss moment was *maybe* one of my favorite first kiss scenes ever. That entire hotel scene was just perfect! And they didn’t even fuck. I’m still getting goosebumps thinking about the vulnerability and forbidden aspect and the TOUCHING.. ugh, that was way too good.
And then Ash is like ‘I want you to take some time and really think about this’ and I’m over here like ‘NOOOOOOOO, NO THINKING! JUST FUCK HIM AND LOVE HIM FOREVERRRRR’
Supporting characters were goddamn FIRE! I loved every single one of them. Especially Kait - Caden’s fierce BFF! And Hawkins & Kovac!! Pleaseeeeee tell me they’re gay and bangin in secret? THEY NEED A BOOK NEXT! I loved them so much!
“Cade baby….”
*melting*
March 23, 2026
3.5 stars
Despite dealing with a dark abusive issue, this book was a soft , easy, and sometimes comforting read.
While setting the stage with all of Cade's mental problems due to years dealing with an abusive father, when it finally comes down to having a relationship with Asher everything bad almost falls away. They smoothly and maturely talk things through and declare their intentions and feelings. As per the author's note, hockey was just implied so we were forewarned that the book was about the romance. We meet a few other people so we know we'll be getting Zander's book and perhaps Hawk and Tiger?
I enjoyed it enough to read in one sitting.
Despite dealing with a dark abusive issue, this book was a soft , easy, and sometimes comforting read.
While setting the stage with all of Cade's mental problems due to years dealing with an abusive father, when it finally comes down to having a relationship with Asher everything bad almost falls away. They smoothly and maturely talk things through and declare their intentions and feelings. As per the author's note, hockey was just implied so we were forewarned that the book was about the romance. We meet a few other people so we know we'll be getting Zander's book and perhaps Hawk and Tiger?
I enjoyed it enough to read in one sitting.
Review of advance copy received from Autorin bzw. Autor
Caden and Asher are so incredibly cute together — instant green flags, especially Asher. The way he takes care of Caden and the nicknames he gives him are just ridiculously sweet. (And its a slowish burn)
On the other hand, we have Caden, who has had a full-on celebrity childhood crush on Asher, which leads to more than a few hilarious and awkward moments. Their dynamic felt believable and natural, even though their relationship developed a bit too quickly for my personal taste, it kinda felt sudden. That doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll feel the same way, though.🥰
Overall, I really enjoyed the story and would definitely recommend it.🙂↕️👏
On the other hand, we have Caden, who has had a full-on celebrity childhood crush on Asher, which leads to more than a few hilarious and awkward moments. Their dynamic felt believable and natural, even though their relationship developed a bit too quickly for my personal taste, it kinda felt sudden. That doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll feel the same way, though.🥰
Overall, I really enjoyed the story and would definitely recommend it.🙂↕️👏
March 8, 2026
This was a great mm debut. Really liked the characters and the storyline.
Slow burn ending up with 🔥🔥🔥
Check the triggers if you have any 💛
Slow burn ending up with 🔥🔥🔥
Check the triggers if you have any 💛
Review of advance copy received from Author
"He looked at me like I was delectable and he was starving. Like touching me would quench a deep thirst inside him."
5⭐️ 3🌶
If you love heartwarming, slow burn, spicy MM Romance books with a sprinkle of a hockey setting, this should be added to your TBR immediately. The instant attraction is palpable, the yearning —so precious, and the spice is absolutely making you sweat once you get there. 🥵🌶
Caden Kelly is almost 22 and the latest rookie to join the Hammerheads. He's got that raw hockey talent that others could only dream of, but under it all is a shy ginger baby introvert who wishes he could follow his own passions instead of living under his dad's thumb.
Asher Landry is the Hammerhead's newest assistant coach. A 29 year old hockey god, currently on leave from his over a decade-long NHL career for injury recovery, he's lonely but not looking for anything casual. Only his cat Potato keeps him company at home.
This was such a good read for a debut novel, Wren has written such a cute, endearing story that will have you giggling and kicking your feet. The pacing is med to start then takes off in the second half of the book as we delve into Caden and Asher's relationship. Family drama is high, angst is med-low, the sexual tension is charged, and the circumstances? Well they're less than ideal but let's just say Caden and Asher know how to make a secret relationship work 😉
5⭐️ 3🌶
If you love heartwarming, slow burn, spicy MM Romance books with a sprinkle of a hockey setting, this should be added to your TBR immediately. The instant attraction is palpable, the yearning —so precious, and the spice is absolutely making you sweat once you get there. 🥵🌶
Caden Kelly is almost 22 and the latest rookie to join the Hammerheads. He's got that raw hockey talent that others could only dream of, but under it all is a shy ginger baby introvert who wishes he could follow his own passions instead of living under his dad's thumb.
Asher Landry is the Hammerhead's newest assistant coach. A 29 year old hockey god, currently on leave from his over a decade-long NHL career for injury recovery, he's lonely but not looking for anything casual. Only his cat Potato keeps him company at home.
This was such a good read for a debut novel, Wren has written such a cute, endearing story that will have you giggling and kicking your feet. The pacing is med to start then takes off in the second half of the book as we delve into Caden and Asher's relationship. Family drama is high, angst is med-low, the sexual tension is charged, and the circumstances? Well they're less than ideal but let's just say Caden and Asher know how to make a secret relationship work 😉
March 21, 2026
I enjoyed reading Asher and Caden's story. I really enjoyed the hurt/comfort aspect and how much Asher took care of Caden. Let me just say that I really disliked Caden's dad and how he treated Caden. I was so sad to read about how Caden was treated by his dad and what types of things he said to him. And like Asher, I too felt protective of him and just wanted to hide him away so nothing would hurt him. The stress and anxiety and Caden endured, on top of the negative self talk was heartbreaking. I was so glad Asher was there to show him that things can be different. I enjoyed watching their relationship progress and seeing Caden come out of his shell after experiencing the safety his new relationship afforded him.
This story is fade to black when it comes to the hockey, but not fade to black when it comes to everything else. You'll experience all of the feelings with Asher and Caden, with a lot of sweet and also some spicy moments between them.
This story is fade to black when it comes to the hockey, but not fade to black when it comes to everything else. You'll experience all of the feelings with Asher and Caden, with a lot of sweet and also some spicy moments between them.
March 6, 2026
These two were so sweet 🥹 it did take me a little while to get into this, but I’m glad I stuck with it because I loved it!
March 4, 2026
4.5 🌟 rounded up!
This book was filled with all the best things. We got yearning, hurt/comfort, cat dad(s), “sports”, super sweet romance, extra spicy moments, and did I mention cats??
I was super excited when I got the email for this ARC! All the tropes checked all my boxes so I knew it would be a good fit. And I was right! I enjoyed this book so much!
Cade is 22 and just signed on with the AHL team the Hammerheads. This opportunity provides him some space from his chaotic home life while also reminding him every day that his true dream is slipping through his fingers.
Ash is fresh off the ice with a shoulder injury that has his NHL carrier in limbo. His best friend suggests (rather forcefully) that he join him as an assistant coach to the hammerheads while he recovers and figures out his next steps. Him and his lucky black cat Potato (Poe for short) pick up their life and move it to Lakeside to accept this new position.
Ash takes notice of one (gorgeous) rookie in particular and feels a strong urge to keep en eye out for him. When life hands Cade some bad news that leaves him in need of a lift back home, Ash steps up to the plate to help him out. As the men spend more time together feelings are brought out into the open but both of them know just how much of a Rookie Mistake it would be to fool around. But no one’s perfect right?
This book was a quick and easy read that had all the emotions and feelings captured in the pages. However I will say this isn’t a sports romance as one might expect as there are two hockey players as the MMC’s. This is a sports-adjacent romance If I do say so myself. Sports is the vibe not the plot. Basically, hockey talked about but not on the pages. Romance is the plot, the story, and the whole show.
There are some deeper and more complex moments in this book so please check the trigger warnings. Nothing too crazy happens but one MC’s dad is verbally and briefly physically abusive and it can be hard to read. Take care of yourself as no book is worth your mental health.
Spice was wooooo! Ash has a dangerous mouth on him that is welcome any time. 3.5/5 🌶️.
Overall I enjoyed this book and do recommend it. I think it could be a great book to dip your toes into hockey romance!
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
This book was filled with all the best things. We got yearning, hurt/comfort, cat dad(s), “sports”, super sweet romance, extra spicy moments, and did I mention cats??
I was super excited when I got the email for this ARC! All the tropes checked all my boxes so I knew it would be a good fit. And I was right! I enjoyed this book so much!
Cade is 22 and just signed on with the AHL team the Hammerheads. This opportunity provides him some space from his chaotic home life while also reminding him every day that his true dream is slipping through his fingers.
Ash is fresh off the ice with a shoulder injury that has his NHL carrier in limbo. His best friend suggests (rather forcefully) that he join him as an assistant coach to the hammerheads while he recovers and figures out his next steps. Him and his lucky black cat Potato (Poe for short) pick up their life and move it to Lakeside to accept this new position.
Ash takes notice of one (gorgeous) rookie in particular and feels a strong urge to keep en eye out for him. When life hands Cade some bad news that leaves him in need of a lift back home, Ash steps up to the plate to help him out. As the men spend more time together feelings are brought out into the open but both of them know just how much of a Rookie Mistake it would be to fool around. But no one’s perfect right?
This book was a quick and easy read that had all the emotions and feelings captured in the pages. However I will say this isn’t a sports romance as one might expect as there are two hockey players as the MMC’s. This is a sports-adjacent romance If I do say so myself. Sports is the vibe not the plot. Basically, hockey talked about but not on the pages. Romance is the plot, the story, and the whole show.
There are some deeper and more complex moments in this book so please check the trigger warnings. Nothing too crazy happens but one MC’s dad is verbally and briefly physically abusive and it can be hard to read. Take care of yourself as no book is worth your mental health.
Spice was wooooo! Ash has a dangerous mouth on him that is welcome any time. 3.5/5 🌶️.
Overall I enjoyed this book and do recommend it. I think it could be a great book to dip your toes into hockey romance!
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
March 6, 2026
Thank you GRR for the arc!
Bear with me bc I'm on antibiotics and a bit loopy 💖
Caden is a rookie hockey player who got recruited to a new team. The training is brutal, but he keeps his head down and doesn't want to make trouble.
Although, he's hiding a secret: he's only playing hockey for the money to support his sick mom. His true passion lies in working with computers.
In addition to Caden joining the team, there's also a new assistant coach. A famous player who has their career on pause due to an injury. Ash "Ace" Landry is trying his best to make lemonade and help out his friend and former teammate turned coach.
He's organized, calm, collected and professional. Ash also isn't sure if this is permanent or temporary while he rehabs his shoulder, so he's doing the best he can.
That is, until he sees the new rookie player with freckles wearing his number. Caden doesn't seem passionate about hockey and is always dead on his feet.
Ash notices and immediately swoops in out of concern, ✨ professionally ✨ of course.
The following are my honest opinions.
Once I started, I couldn't put it down! The tension was enjoyable, despite being fairly insta love and low angst.
I feel like this author may be a fellow HR loon? 👀
It's good, enjoyable, but needs an editor to live up to its full potential.
There were some umm.... unfortunate? Word choices that really kind of...yeah sorry. Please don't talk about skin squirming.
The writing was a bit clunky in places and I kind of felt like the plot and setting took a backseat from the characters.
There wasn't much hockey, it was more focused on them traveling for games. I would have loved to see more playing or at least hearing about how the games went.
Even if Caden isn't fully invested, Ash is and winning/losing could add more to the plot with emotional highs and lows.
We were introduced to Caden's roommates at the start, but they never really came back up again until near the end.
The characters were very sweet, but there wasn't much in terms of character development. I was looking for more of Caden building his confidence and realizing that he's worthy of love, and Ash growing into his new career path.
Bear with me bc I'm on antibiotics and a bit loopy 💖
Caden is a rookie hockey player who got recruited to a new team. The training is brutal, but he keeps his head down and doesn't want to make trouble.
Although, he's hiding a secret: he's only playing hockey for the money to support his sick mom. His true passion lies in working with computers.
In addition to Caden joining the team, there's also a new assistant coach. A famous player who has their career on pause due to an injury. Ash "Ace" Landry is trying his best to make lemonade and help out his friend and former teammate turned coach.
He's organized, calm, collected and professional. Ash also isn't sure if this is permanent or temporary while he rehabs his shoulder, so he's doing the best he can.
That is, until he sees the new rookie player with freckles wearing his number. Caden doesn't seem passionate about hockey and is always dead on his feet.
Ash notices and immediately swoops in out of concern, ✨ professionally ✨ of course.
The following are my honest opinions.
Once I started, I couldn't put it down! The tension was enjoyable, despite being fairly insta love and low angst.
I feel like this author may be a fellow HR loon? 👀
It's good, enjoyable, but needs an editor to live up to its full potential.
There were some umm.... unfortunate? Word choices that really kind of...yeah sorry. Please don't talk about skin squirming.
The writing was a bit clunky in places and I kind of felt like the plot and setting took a backseat from the characters.
There wasn't much hockey, it was more focused on them traveling for games. I would have loved to see more playing or at least hearing about how the games went.
Even if Caden isn't fully invested, Ash is and winning/losing could add more to the plot with emotional highs and lows.
We were introduced to Caden's roommates at the start, but they never really came back up again until near the end.
The characters were very sweet, but there wasn't much in terms of character development. I was looking for more of Caden building his confidence and realizing that he's worthy of love, and Ash growing into his new career path.
March 5, 2026
Happy Book Birthday to A Rookie Mistake by Wren Hamilton, a queer hockey romance between an injured pro-hockey player-turned coach and the newest rookie on an AHL team. Caden is an up-and-coming star who’s secret is that he’s not happy playing hockey, and his lived his life being controlled by his father. When he signs to a new team, the first person he meets is Asher, a player he’s looked up to for years, and who’s the newest member of the coaching team while rehabbing a shoulder injury. Ashe recognises that something’s going on with Caden, and steps up when Caden needs to get home quickly when his mother is admitted to hospital. From there the two begin to explore a forbidden romance that calls into question both their professionalism and their careers.
This book was not easy to read at times. Caden’s father is a very toxic presence in his life (and his mother’s life) who’s never let Caden dream of anything beyond playing professional hockey after he demonstrated some skill as a kid. This does extend to verbal and physical abuse on page (so be mindful of that). Meanwhile, Asher is facing down the end of his career due to injury when his friend asks him to step in as an assistant coach. As Caden and Asher get to know one another and their relationship goes from coach/player to friends to lovers, we the reader, are uncomfortable aware of the power dynamic imbalance (and it’s referenced on page) as both men have to decide what they want from their futures.
There’s a whole cast of fantastic side characters who were fun to read about (especially Caden’s housemates). There’s bisexual and pansexual rep on page, as well as MS rep through Caden’s mother. And, the holy grail of a romance novel: no 3rd act break-up! I had a good time reading it and look forward to seeing what future books Wren Hamilton writes.
I received a copy of A Rookie Mistake for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book was not easy to read at times. Caden’s father is a very toxic presence in his life (and his mother’s life) who’s never let Caden dream of anything beyond playing professional hockey after he demonstrated some skill as a kid. This does extend to verbal and physical abuse on page (so be mindful of that). Meanwhile, Asher is facing down the end of his career due to injury when his friend asks him to step in as an assistant coach. As Caden and Asher get to know one another and their relationship goes from coach/player to friends to lovers, we the reader, are uncomfortable aware of the power dynamic imbalance (and it’s referenced on page) as both men have to decide what they want from their futures.
There’s a whole cast of fantastic side characters who were fun to read about (especially Caden’s housemates). There’s bisexual and pansexual rep on page, as well as MS rep through Caden’s mother. And, the holy grail of a romance novel: no 3rd act break-up! I had a good time reading it and look forward to seeing what future books Wren Hamilton writes.
I received a copy of A Rookie Mistake for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 15, 2026
Damn, Caden’s dad deserves to rot in hell. What an absolute pos! I would never understand why people like him become parents. He didn’t deserve such sweet a son like Caden.
That man violated every single rule of parenting. The fact that Caden wasn’t a bitter, angry man is a total surprise. I wouldn’t blame him if he was. Instead, he was the perfect son.
Doing something he didn’t like solely because he wanted to help his family despite the emotional trauma it was causing him, was nothing short of admirable.
The only good thing hockey gave him was meeting his favorite player. Asher was the only person who really saw how much Caden was struggling emotionally. He could tell how miserable he was and his protective instincts just kicked in.
Asher’s world flipped upside down the moment he met Caden. It was like he had never seen the light until he looked into Caden’s eyes.
They knew it was risky to start a relationship given their roles in the team, but Asher was so gone for Caden that he threw caution to the wind. Being with him was worth the risk of losing his career.
I’m not into slow burn romance. But I can appreciate when it’s done in such a way you don’t even notice nothing’s happened between the MCs until later in the story. This was that kind of slow burn. But it was written so beautifully that I have no complaints😅
I loved the way Cade and Asher’s relationship developed. Asher wanted to make sure Caden understood he was more than just a quick hook up. He wanted to show him he was appreciated and cherished. Especially when nobody else had ever done that for him.
Asher being Caden’s pillar of strength and encouragement was so beautiful. He wanted Caden to follow his actual dreams, not someone else’s and do what made him happy. Definitely boyfriend goals.
Really enjoyed this story. I’m looking forward to book two for sure!
That man violated every single rule of parenting. The fact that Caden wasn’t a bitter, angry man is a total surprise. I wouldn’t blame him if he was. Instead, he was the perfect son.
Doing something he didn’t like solely because he wanted to help his family despite the emotional trauma it was causing him, was nothing short of admirable.
The only good thing hockey gave him was meeting his favorite player. Asher was the only person who really saw how much Caden was struggling emotionally. He could tell how miserable he was and his protective instincts just kicked in.
Asher’s world flipped upside down the moment he met Caden. It was like he had never seen the light until he looked into Caden’s eyes.
They knew it was risky to start a relationship given their roles in the team, but Asher was so gone for Caden that he threw caution to the wind. Being with him was worth the risk of losing his career.
I’m not into slow burn romance. But I can appreciate when it’s done in such a way you don’t even notice nothing’s happened between the MCs until later in the story. This was that kind of slow burn. But it was written so beautifully that I have no complaints😅
I loved the way Cade and Asher’s relationship developed. Asher wanted to make sure Caden understood he was more than just a quick hook up. He wanted to show him he was appreciated and cherished. Especially when nobody else had ever done that for him.
Asher being Caden’s pillar of strength and encouragement was so beautiful. He wanted Caden to follow his actual dreams, not someone else’s and do what made him happy. Definitely boyfriend goals.
Really enjoyed this story. I’m looking forward to book two for sure!
March 11, 2026
"If the universe had set out to create the perfect male specimen, it had succeeded in Ash."
Caden had a complex family and when his father insisted he sign in a new hockey team, he did and trained as a rookie where he met assistant coach and hockey legend, Asher.
Let me preface this by saying that this book had so much potential. I was initially intrigued by the whole Caden's family complexity.
First off, love both characters. I adore Caden, I just want to hug him and smack his father. I weirdly connected with him and feel deeply for his circumstance because no parent should abused their child no matter what. Caden's strong and resilient. Asher was patient and exactly what Caden needed as a partner. He's gentle, he's a family person guy and not boastful regardless of his hockey career.
Their relationship was cloaked with 'forbidden-ness' because it's a rookie x assistant coach, but I appreciate how the author handled that aspect. Both the characters fought their attraction to one another, and when they did wanted to pursue it, they talked about it like adults which was so refreshing to read. I liked that they did take the time to think about it before heading first face.
The downside to this was there was multiple chapters of spice. Don't get me wrong, I am okay with spice but I wished it was balanced more. Like I said, this book got so much potential that I love to see the emotional aspect highlighted more.
That aside, I did enjoy reading this story.
Might read the next one!
Caden had a complex family and when his father insisted he sign in a new hockey team, he did and trained as a rookie where he met assistant coach and hockey legend, Asher.
Let me preface this by saying that this book had so much potential. I was initially intrigued by the whole Caden's family complexity.
First off, love both characters. I adore Caden, I just want to hug him and smack his father. I weirdly connected with him and feel deeply for his circumstance because no parent should abused their child no matter what. Caden's strong and resilient. Asher was patient and exactly what Caden needed as a partner. He's gentle, he's a family person guy and not boastful regardless of his hockey career.
Their relationship was cloaked with 'forbidden-ness' because it's a rookie x assistant coach, but I appreciate how the author handled that aspect. Both the characters fought their attraction to one another, and when they did wanted to pursue it, they talked about it like adults which was so refreshing to read. I liked that they did take the time to think about it before heading first face.
The downside to this was there was multiple chapters of spice. Don't get me wrong, I am okay with spice but I wished it was balanced more. Like I said, this book got so much potential that I love to see the emotional aspect highlighted more.
That aside, I did enjoy reading this story.
Might read the next one!
March 6, 2026
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
A Rookie Mistake is a contemporary sports romance from author Wren Hamilton. Per the author’s front matter note, this sports book actually centers on the relationship that grows between Caden and Asher. That means all hockey drama (and I mean all) happens off page; it’s actually an extraordinary example of a classic literary MacGuffin. That does not mean that there aren’t any edge-of-your-seats scenes, just that the tension isn’t from any big hockey games or sports-related excitement.
Overall, I thought this was an angsty, spicy read. Despite the lack of on-page sports, the fraternization device served to bring a lot of tension to the story.
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
A Rookie Mistake is a contemporary sports romance from author Wren Hamilton. Per the author’s front matter note, this sports book actually centers on the relationship that grows between Caden and Asher. That means all hockey drama (and I mean all) happens off page; it’s actually an extraordinary example of a classic literary MacGuffin. That does not mean that there aren’t any edge-of-your-seats scenes, just that the tension isn’t from any big hockey games or sports-related excitement.
Overall, I thought this was an angsty, spicy read. Despite the lack of on-page sports, the fraternization device served to bring a lot of tension to the story.
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
March 6, 2026
What a great debut novel! I was so excited when I got the ARC in my inbox. 🥰 Great plot, amazing character development, no third act break up, hot spice and such great communication! This was the perfect feel good follow up to my last read that ripped my heart out. This put it right back together and I loved every minute of it. Cade and Ash are couple goals. They support each other so well. I loved this feel good Canadian hockey mm romance. As a fellow Canadian this was perfect. What’s next Wren?! I can’t wait to see.
“Forget butterflies, I had velociraptors in my stomach.”
This is my honest and unbiased opinion in exchange for the ARC #GRR
“Forget butterflies, I had velociraptors in my stomach.”
This is my honest and unbiased opinion in exchange for the ARC #GRR
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
The Rookie Mistake
Wren Hamilton
ARC REVIEW
Well you might want to grab your tissues or fighting gloves. I never wanted to fight a side character so much! Cade is so sweet and broken. Ash just feel draw to help him and feelings start. They will have you swooning and just wanting it all for them.
This book is amazing and deserves to be hyped up everywhere!!! The way my baby Cade just had enough and he handled it amazing. I just need the world to know about him!!!
This release tomorrow grab it and give it a read.
Plus there a kitty name potato(Poe)
5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
2.5🌶️🌶️
Wren Hamilton
ARC REVIEW
Well you might want to grab your tissues or fighting gloves. I never wanted to fight a side character so much! Cade is so sweet and broken. Ash just feel draw to help him and feelings start. They will have you swooning and just wanting it all for them.
This book is amazing and deserves to be hyped up everywhere!!! The way my baby Cade just had enough and he handled it amazing. I just need the world to know about him!!!
This release tomorrow grab it and give it a read.
Plus there a kitty name potato(Poe)
5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
2.5🌶️🌶️
March 10, 2026
Wow! First I have to start off by saying I hated Caden’s dad with a burning passion 😒. Like damn, dude no one cares about your high school championship. You should love your son for who he is!!!!! Coach x Player is one of my favorite tropes in a book so this was definitely a book that called to me. Most importantly though I LOVED Caden and Asher. They were just so freaking cute and they fit so well together. Asher gave Caden the confidence he needed to stand up to his dad and fight for what he wanted in life. I loved that once they got together there was good communication and they talked about things. I also think they had a really good friendship that built a good foundation for their relationship. I totally recommend reading this book!
March 17, 2026
A really good story
I really enjoyed this book. I love how it gets you interested from the beginning and all the emotions you feel throughout. You just feel connected in the book.
Ash & Cade story is a heartfelt story of two men coming together without expecting it. Ash does what he can for Cade and Cade thankful that Ash is there for him. Things get more serious with them as time goes and it blooms into a wonderful thing.
Great job to the author on an amazing story.
I really enjoyed this book. I love how it gets you interested from the beginning and all the emotions you feel throughout. You just feel connected in the book.
Ash & Cade story is a heartfelt story of two men coming together without expecting it. Ash does what he can for Cade and Cade thankful that Ash is there for him. Things get more serious with them as time goes and it blooms into a wonderful thing.
Great job to the author on an amazing story.
March 5, 2026
A Rookie Mistake - Wren Hamilton
5/5✨🌟
* SPOILERS *
I absolutely loved this book. I love me a good low angst book and it hit all the comfort feels that I didn’t know that I needed. Wren totally sucked me into this amazing lovely story about Asher and Caden.
Asher & Caden are just so stinking cute together but I jut love how Asher immediately takes care of Caden. He’s so good for Caden and he’s everything that he has been searching for.
The ending when Caden finally stood up to his father was so epic and to have Asher there by his side was everything. He was supportive and even Caden’s mother was there.
And the side characters. I absolutely love fun and entertaining side characters because they definitely hit the spot.
I really loved how the beginning of them started with Asher taking him to see his mom when she got hurt. Definitely sucked me more in the book when things really started to progress for them.
I just love how the slow burn was portrayed because man, those two had my heart squeezing so hard. I laughed when Asher thought Caden’s best friend was his girlfriend. So many great moments in this book.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
5/5✨🌟
* SPOILERS *
I absolutely loved this book. I love me a good low angst book and it hit all the comfort feels that I didn’t know that I needed. Wren totally sucked me into this amazing lovely story about Asher and Caden.
Asher & Caden are just so stinking cute together but I jut love how Asher immediately takes care of Caden. He’s so good for Caden and he’s everything that he has been searching for.
The ending when Caden finally stood up to his father was so epic and to have Asher there by his side was everything. He was supportive and even Caden’s mother was there.
And the side characters. I absolutely love fun and entertaining side characters because they definitely hit the spot.
I really loved how the beginning of them started with Asher taking him to see his mom when she got hurt. Definitely sucked me more in the book when things really started to progress for them.
I just love how the slow burn was portrayed because man, those two had my heart squeezing so hard. I laughed when Asher thought Caden’s best friend was his girlfriend. So many great moments in this book.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
March 13, 2026
He is a star who hates being in the limelight and he hates hockey but his father has other plans for him. So when he is traded again he just accepts it all until he meets them. They see him, as he truly is and it seems a great connection is being made. See if he will start to do his life as he wants it to be
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was such an enjoyable read.
Asher and Caden were absolute sweethearts. Caden deserved so much more than what he was dealt with when it came to his family. I'm so glad he found love with Asher. Asher was such a loving, caring man their relationship was so sweet.
Asher and Caden were absolute sweethearts. Caden deserved so much more than what he was dealt with when it came to his family. I'm so glad he found love with Asher. Asher was such a loving, caring man their relationship was so sweet.
Read
March 3, 2026jedna scena mi się podobała...jedna
bez oceny
bez oceny
March 8, 2026
I genuinely adored Caden and Asher together. I probably could have read 100 more pages of them just doing mundane things together and would still be happy because they were just precious any time they were together. You could always feel the love and attraction. I thought this was a really good hockey adjacent read. There is a note at the beginning of the book (so I knew going in) that says it is a sort of "closed door hockey" story. So, the hockey is off page. That hurt my hockey loving heart, but at least I was prepared, so I really did appreciate that information. If you are looking for two men who will steal your hearts and heat up the pages.. this one does it.
March 6, 2026
This book was really cute! Very insta love but I wasn’t mad at it because I needed something mushy and cute to read. I love that this was very low angst as far as Cade and Asher went while also having some heavier themes individually. The way Ash loved on Cade from the very start was refreshing to see and I loved being able to get both of their povs because it gave us their true thoughts. I’m so proud of Cade for sticking up for himself against his dad, it was long overdue. The only gripe I have with this book is the fact that we didn’t get Ash and Cade’s best friend meeting officially. Overall this was a fun read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2026
ARC kinldy provided for the author in echange for an honest review
A Rookie Mistake was the first book on my most-anticipated list for March, and after reading it, it also became the first on my favorites list for this month! Wren Hamilton exceeded my expectations with Caden & Asher: she gave me a beautiful love story that melted my heart, complex characters, heartbreaking moments, and a new author to follow because I enjoyed her writing so much!
Caden is THE character in this book! A semi-professional hockey player with a very complicated relationship with the sport thanks to the constant pressure from his father. Cade broke my heart so much because the author did an excellent job describing the extent of this character's trauma, It was painful to read him giving up his dreams to support his mother financially, keeping his feelings and needs hidden from everyone, and fighting every day to maintain the charade he lives. That's why I loved reading about his friendship with Kait: the unconditional support she always gives him, how she's his partner in crime, how she helps him take care of his mom, and how she encourages him to experiment.
Asher is the perfect man: a professional hockey player who takes a position as an assistant coach while recovering from an injury. One of the things I loved most about this character was that the author gave him a family life completely opposite to Caden's, and that's evident in his confident, sweet, and kind personality, and especially in the way he protects the shy and anxious rookie. I enjoyed learning a bit about his friendship with Zane, the constant work he does to support others, and how he's just as lost as Cade because of his injury and the uncertainty about his future, and how that makes him see himself as someone who has nothing to offer (something that broke my heart because it couldn't be further from the truth).
I loved that Cade & Asher feel an immediate attraction to each other, but neither acts on it right away, partly because of their respective insecurities and also because Asher is Cade's new coach. But what I enjoyed most was reading about Asher helping Cade adjust to the team, noticing his most vulnerable moments, and supporting him unconditionally even when Cade doesn't know how to ask for it. These two are such an adorable couple, and they're also incredibly funny, I loved reading about them being each other's safe haven, because even though Asher sometimes seems to be the protector in the relationship, Cade finds in her feelings for him the motivation to live life the way she wants, face her fears, and let others into her heart.
I think the only thing that would have made this book even more perfect would have been seeing Cade get more involved with the team (although I understand the character's reasons for being so reserved), I would have loved to see him connect with his teammates, especially the two he shares a house with, and find more friends he can confide in.
🐈⬛Asher: 5/5
🏒Caden: 5/5
🐈⬛Plot: 5/5
🏒Love story: 5/5
🐈⬛Secondary characters: 4/5
🏒Cover: 5/5
🥵: 3/5
ARC amablemente proporcionada por la autora a cambio de una reseña honesta
A Rookie Mistake era el primer libro en mi lista de los más esperados de marzo, y después de leerlo también se convirtió en el primero de mi lista de favoritos de este mes! Wren Hamilton superó las expectativas que tenía con Caden & Asher: me dio una historia de amor hermosa que me derritió el corazón, personajes complejos, momentos desgarradores y una nueva autora a la que seguir porque disfruté mucho de su escritura.
Caden es EL personaje de este libro! Un jugador de hockey semi profesional con una relación muy complicada con el deporte gracias a la constante presión de su papá. Cade rompió mi corazón muchísimo porque la autora hizo un excelente trabajo describiendo hasta donde llega el trauma de este personaje, fue doloroso leerlo renunciando a sus sueños para apoyar a su mamá económicamente, manteniendo sus sentimientos y necesidades escondidas de todos y luchando todos los días para mantener la farsa que vive. Por eso me gustó tanto leer la amistad que tiene con Kait: el apoyo incondicional que ella siempre le da, como es su cómplice, lo ayuda a cuidar de su mamá y lo anima a experimentar, además creo que Wren Hamilton le dio a este personaje un desenlace perfecto.
Asher es el hombre perfecto: un jugador de hockey profesional que acepta un puesto como coach asistente mientras se recupera de una lesión. Una de las cosas que más me gustó de este personaje fue que la autora le dio una vida familiar completamente opuesta a la de Caden y eso se nota en su personalidad segura, dulce, amable y especialmente en la manera en la que protege al novato tímido y ansioso. Me gustó conocer un poco de su amistad con Zane, del trabajo constante que hace para apoyar a otros y de como está tan perdido como Cade debido a su lesión y a la incertidumbre sobre su futuro, y como eso lo hace verse a su mismo como alguien que no tiene nada que ofrecer (algo que me rompió el corazón porque no puede estar más lejos de la realidad).
Me encantó que Cade & Asher sientan una atracción inmediata por el otro pero ninguno actúe sobre ella de inmediato, en parte por sus respectivas inseguridades y también porque Asher es el nuevo coach de Cade, pero lo que más disfruté fue leer a Asher ayudando a Cade a adaptarse al equipo, dándose cuenta de sus momentos más vulnerables y apoyándolo incondicionalmente aún cuando Cade no sabe como pedirlo. Estos dos son una pareja muy adorable, también muy divertida y me encantó leerlos siendo el lugar seguro del otro, porque aunque a veces parece que Asher es el protector de la relación, Cade encuentra en sus sentimientos por él esa motivación para vivir la vida como él lo desea, enfrentar sus miedos y dejar a otros entrar en su corazón.
Creo que lo único que hubiera hecho este libro aún más perfecto hubiera sido ver a Caden involucrarse más en el equipo (aunque entiendo las razones del personaje para ser tan reservado), me hubiera gustado verlo acercarse a sus compañeros, especialmente a los dos con los que comparte casa y encontrar más amigos en los que confiar.
🐈⬛Asher: 5/5
🏒Caden: 5/5
🐈⬛Trama: 5/5
🏒Historia de amor: 5/5
🐈⬛Personajes secundarios: 4/5
🏒Portada: 5/5
🥵: 3/5
A Rookie Mistake was the first book on my most-anticipated list for March, and after reading it, it also became the first on my favorites list for this month! Wren Hamilton exceeded my expectations with Caden & Asher: she gave me a beautiful love story that melted my heart, complex characters, heartbreaking moments, and a new author to follow because I enjoyed her writing so much!
Caden is THE character in this book! A semi-professional hockey player with a very complicated relationship with the sport thanks to the constant pressure from his father. Cade broke my heart so much because the author did an excellent job describing the extent of this character's trauma, It was painful to read him giving up his dreams to support his mother financially, keeping his feelings and needs hidden from everyone, and fighting every day to maintain the charade he lives. That's why I loved reading about his friendship with Kait: the unconditional support she always gives him, how she's his partner in crime, how she helps him take care of his mom, and how she encourages him to experiment.
Asher is the perfect man: a professional hockey player who takes a position as an assistant coach while recovering from an injury. One of the things I loved most about this character was that the author gave him a family life completely opposite to Caden's, and that's evident in his confident, sweet, and kind personality, and especially in the way he protects the shy and anxious rookie. I enjoyed learning a bit about his friendship with Zane, the constant work he does to support others, and how he's just as lost as Cade because of his injury and the uncertainty about his future, and how that makes him see himself as someone who has nothing to offer (something that broke my heart because it couldn't be further from the truth).
I loved that Cade & Asher feel an immediate attraction to each other, but neither acts on it right away, partly because of their respective insecurities and also because Asher is Cade's new coach. But what I enjoyed most was reading about Asher helping Cade adjust to the team, noticing his most vulnerable moments, and supporting him unconditionally even when Cade doesn't know how to ask for it. These two are such an adorable couple, and they're also incredibly funny, I loved reading about them being each other's safe haven, because even though Asher sometimes seems to be the protector in the relationship, Cade finds in her feelings for him the motivation to live life the way she wants, face her fears, and let others into her heart.
I think the only thing that would have made this book even more perfect would have been seeing Cade get more involved with the team (although I understand the character's reasons for being so reserved), I would have loved to see him connect with his teammates, especially the two he shares a house with, and find more friends he can confide in.
🐈⬛Asher: 5/5
🏒Caden: 5/5
🐈⬛Plot: 5/5
🏒Love story: 5/5
🐈⬛Secondary characters: 4/5
🏒Cover: 5/5
🥵: 3/5
ARC amablemente proporcionada por la autora a cambio de una reseña honesta
A Rookie Mistake era el primer libro en mi lista de los más esperados de marzo, y después de leerlo también se convirtió en el primero de mi lista de favoritos de este mes! Wren Hamilton superó las expectativas que tenía con Caden & Asher: me dio una historia de amor hermosa que me derritió el corazón, personajes complejos, momentos desgarradores y una nueva autora a la que seguir porque disfruté mucho de su escritura.
Caden es EL personaje de este libro! Un jugador de hockey semi profesional con una relación muy complicada con el deporte gracias a la constante presión de su papá. Cade rompió mi corazón muchísimo porque la autora hizo un excelente trabajo describiendo hasta donde llega el trauma de este personaje, fue doloroso leerlo renunciando a sus sueños para apoyar a su mamá económicamente, manteniendo sus sentimientos y necesidades escondidas de todos y luchando todos los días para mantener la farsa que vive. Por eso me gustó tanto leer la amistad que tiene con Kait: el apoyo incondicional que ella siempre le da, como es su cómplice, lo ayuda a cuidar de su mamá y lo anima a experimentar, además creo que Wren Hamilton le dio a este personaje un desenlace perfecto.
Asher es el hombre perfecto: un jugador de hockey profesional que acepta un puesto como coach asistente mientras se recupera de una lesión. Una de las cosas que más me gustó de este personaje fue que la autora le dio una vida familiar completamente opuesta a la de Caden y eso se nota en su personalidad segura, dulce, amable y especialmente en la manera en la que protege al novato tímido y ansioso. Me gustó conocer un poco de su amistad con Zane, del trabajo constante que hace para apoyar a otros y de como está tan perdido como Cade debido a su lesión y a la incertidumbre sobre su futuro, y como eso lo hace verse a su mismo como alguien que no tiene nada que ofrecer (algo que me rompió el corazón porque no puede estar más lejos de la realidad).
Me encantó que Cade & Asher sientan una atracción inmediata por el otro pero ninguno actúe sobre ella de inmediato, en parte por sus respectivas inseguridades y también porque Asher es el nuevo coach de Cade, pero lo que más disfruté fue leer a Asher ayudando a Cade a adaptarse al equipo, dándose cuenta de sus momentos más vulnerables y apoyándolo incondicionalmente aún cuando Cade no sabe como pedirlo. Estos dos son una pareja muy adorable, también muy divertida y me encantó leerlos siendo el lugar seguro del otro, porque aunque a veces parece que Asher es el protector de la relación, Cade encuentra en sus sentimientos por él esa motivación para vivir la vida como él lo desea, enfrentar sus miedos y dejar a otros entrar en su corazón.
Creo que lo único que hubiera hecho este libro aún más perfecto hubiera sido ver a Caden involucrarse más en el equipo (aunque entiendo las razones del personaje para ser tan reservado), me hubiera gustado verlo acercarse a sus compañeros, especialmente a los dos con los que comparte casa y encontrar más amigos en los que confiar.
🐈⬛Asher: 5/5
🏒Caden: 5/5
🐈⬛Trama: 5/5
🏒Historia de amor: 5/5
🐈⬛Personajes secundarios: 4/5
🏒Portada: 5/5
🥵: 3/5
Review of advance copy
Something about the writing style instantly wasn't for me, but I forced myself to finish the book anyway to give it a chance. I always want to support a Canadian author if possible, and this book sounded so promising with a hockey player/coach MM romance plus the added angle of coping with anxiety and an abusive parent.
Unfortunately there were several things that didn't work for me. Going in, the author is very clear that the book is not focused on hockey; it is primarily a romance. I was expecting at least a bit of hockey but it is very much an afterthought. I would've been okay with that, but here I am at the end of the book and I don't really know what it was about. There really isn't much of a plot at all. The plot we do get is so unnecessarily detailed to the point of becoming very boring and repetitive. The author wastes a lot of time giving us extraneous details that are completely irrelevant to the story. For example, Caden has 2 roommates who we meet early on in the book at great length. They make maybe 2 more appearances later on, so the super long intro to these characters was pointless. The book read like one very long, boring and occasionally gross sex scene (his velvet-covered steel rod are you serious!?) that was occasionally paused for brief interactions with society and then back to the blah fucking. I wanted more character development and for the relationship between Cade and Ash to make sense. To be fair, instalove/lust isn't one of my favourite tropes so that could've been part of it. There's just so much sex that it completely takes over the book.
The sex scenes also hit one of my biggest pet peeves- we all adore a Consent King, but not when he asks for consent 80 times a chapter. It got to the point that I was rolling my eyes at the constant check-ins. Are you ready/Is this okay/ Are you still alright? OMG GET ON WITH IT PLEASE. IT'S BEEN 3 CHAPTERS ALREADY 😭.
My other issue with the lack of plot/excessively long sex scenes is that the sex was just as overly detailed as the rest of the random scenes sprinkled in. I usually love a long, detailed smutty scene but the detailed descriptions of how the MCs manscaped their groins and how everything smelled gave me the ick very quickly. I'm not sure if these chapters were supposed to be romantic or where the bulk of the connection between Ash and Caden was built, but I had more than enough very quickly.
I also didn't like how Caden's mom- who has MS- was so oblivious to how his dad behaved towards him. I know she's dealing with a progressive, chronic illness but honestly the whole thing felt like it was completely half baked. She was sort of a victim but not enough of one that anyone was concerned for her well-being after leaving her alone with Caden's dad?! The book has a habit of recounting scenes twice and at one point she falls getting out of the shower but because she has her phone with her she's able to call Caden's friend for help. When the story is told for the second time, she didn't have her phone and was stuck on the bathroom floor until Caden's friend happened to stop by to check on her. Maybe I missed something but this was confusing.
I am sorry to have been so miserable reading this book- it sounded great but it wasn't for me. If you like books that are sports-adjacent and are very repetitive, this may be for you. I don't like leaving negative reviews but it felt like I was reading fan fiction for 2 characters I didn't like. It doesn't fit into any niche- it's not sports, it's not smutty, it's not plot based or character driven, it just felt like a tedious waste of time.
Rating: 2
Angst: 4/5
Steam: 1/5
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
Unfortunately there were several things that didn't work for me. Going in, the author is very clear that the book is not focused on hockey; it is primarily a romance. I was expecting at least a bit of hockey but it is very much an afterthought. I would've been okay with that, but here I am at the end of the book and I don't really know what it was about. There really isn't much of a plot at all. The plot we do get is so unnecessarily detailed to the point of becoming very boring and repetitive. The author wastes a lot of time giving us extraneous details that are completely irrelevant to the story. For example, Caden has 2 roommates who we meet early on in the book at great length. They make maybe 2 more appearances later on, so the super long intro to these characters was pointless. The book read like one very long, boring and occasionally gross sex scene (his velvet-covered steel rod are you serious!?) that was occasionally paused for brief interactions with society and then back to the blah fucking. I wanted more character development and for the relationship between Cade and Ash to make sense. To be fair, instalove/lust isn't one of my favourite tropes so that could've been part of it. There's just so much sex that it completely takes over the book.
The sex scenes also hit one of my biggest pet peeves- we all adore a Consent King, but not when he asks for consent 80 times a chapter. It got to the point that I was rolling my eyes at the constant check-ins. Are you ready/Is this okay/ Are you still alright? OMG GET ON WITH IT PLEASE. IT'S BEEN 3 CHAPTERS ALREADY 😭.
With that last bit of praise, my cock went off like a rocket, cum shooting up and out of my slit like a fire hose, adding to the ocean of cum between our bodies. My asshole clenched down hard and rhythmically in sync with each spurt.A rocket + a firehose = an ocean... 🙄🤮
My other issue with the lack of plot/excessively long sex scenes is that the sex was just as overly detailed as the rest of the random scenes sprinkled in. I usually love a long, detailed smutty scene but the detailed descriptions of how the MCs manscaped their groins and how everything smelled gave me the ick very quickly. I'm not sure if these chapters were supposed to be romantic or where the bulk of the connection between Ash and Caden was built, but I had more than enough very quickly.
“And nobody else gets to see the map of freckles covering your skin as it squirms from too much goodness.""as it squirms" is weirdly phrased or is that just me? 🤔
I also didn't like how Caden's mom- who has MS- was so oblivious to how his dad behaved towards him. I know she's dealing with a progressive, chronic illness but honestly the whole thing felt like it was completely half baked. She was sort of a victim but not enough of one that anyone was concerned for her well-being after leaving her alone with Caden's dad?! The book has a habit of recounting scenes twice and at one point she falls getting out of the shower but because she has her phone with her she's able to call Caden's friend for help. When the story is told for the second time, she didn't have her phone and was stuck on the bathroom floor until Caden's friend happened to stop by to check on her. Maybe I missed something but this was confusing.
I am sorry to have been so miserable reading this book- it sounded great but it wasn't for me. If you like books that are sports-adjacent and are very repetitive, this may be for you. I don't like leaving negative reviews but it felt like I was reading fan fiction for 2 characters I didn't like. It doesn't fit into any niche- it's not sports, it's not smutty, it's not plot based or character driven, it just felt like a tedious waste of time.
Rating: 2
Angst: 4/5
Steam: 1/5
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
March 13, 2026
Rookie-assistant coach hockey romance, some hurt-comfort, debut. A bit rough but enjoyable enough.
Twenty-two-year-old rookie to an AHL team, the Hammerheads, center Caden Kelly signed a pro contract only to placate his grossly abusive father and help pay house and medical bills. His mother has MS and the family has struggled to make ends meet. What he really wants to do is pursue a career in coding and app development…
NHL star Asher Landry is on injured reserve for a bad shoulder injury and his playing future is unknown. He agrees to be assistant coach to the Hammerheads while he heals. Ash is also Caden’s all-time favorite player…
Cade has trauma, probably PTSD, from growing up with terrible verbal and sometimes physical abuse, and he’s withdrawn, unconfident, almost apologetic about existing. But he can play hockey. Now he has to hide his unexpected attraction to his assistant coach.
Ash takes one look at Cade and all his freckles and becomes aware of him from day one.
This writing hasn’t yet really hit its stride, with a lot of internal dialogue and repetition, and not a lot of solid relationship development before both are all-in. Some characters are introduced but not really part of the story, and Cade's mom seems weirdly oblivious to just how awful his father is. But the MCs connection is sweet, and their desire for each other comes through, and I enjoyed spending time with them. The book stays focused far more on their relationship and Cade’s external struggles than it does on hockey, and I wasn’t certain about the authenticity of the hockey element and how the professional organization would work, but, I enjoyed seeing these two fall for each other.
Cade’s dated only one person before, a woman, but he has no shame or qualms about his intense attraction to Ash and keeps gravitating to him. Ash is bi and out to friends and family, and they begin a secret relationship they keep from the team but share with Ash’s lovely family.
Of course they’ll face exposure and career repercussions, and Cade having to resolve his family issues, but they do it together and stay solid all the way through.
HEA, forbidden hockey player - coach relationship. Abusive parent. No OM action at all, a short mild stint of OP drama when Ash misunderstands Cade’s relationship with his female best friend. Totally safe for me. The writing is a bit immature, but, still, recommended if you're in the mood.
My thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for the ARC this is my free and impartial opinion.
Twenty-two-year-old rookie to an AHL team, the Hammerheads, center Caden Kelly signed a pro contract only to placate his grossly abusive father and help pay house and medical bills. His mother has MS and the family has struggled to make ends meet. What he really wants to do is pursue a career in coding and app development…
NHL star Asher Landry is on injured reserve for a bad shoulder injury and his playing future is unknown. He agrees to be assistant coach to the Hammerheads while he heals. Ash is also Caden’s all-time favorite player…
Cade has trauma, probably PTSD, from growing up with terrible verbal and sometimes physical abuse, and he’s withdrawn, unconfident, almost apologetic about existing. But he can play hockey. Now he has to hide his unexpected attraction to his assistant coach.
Ash takes one look at Cade and all his freckles and becomes aware of him from day one.
This writing hasn’t yet really hit its stride, with a lot of internal dialogue and repetition, and not a lot of solid relationship development before both are all-in. Some characters are introduced but not really part of the story, and Cade's mom seems weirdly oblivious to just how awful his father is. But the MCs connection is sweet, and their desire for each other comes through, and I enjoyed spending time with them. The book stays focused far more on their relationship and Cade’s external struggles than it does on hockey, and I wasn’t certain about the authenticity of the hockey element and how the professional organization would work, but, I enjoyed seeing these two fall for each other.
Cade’s dated only one person before, a woman, but he has no shame or qualms about his intense attraction to Ash and keeps gravitating to him. Ash is bi and out to friends and family, and they begin a secret relationship they keep from the team but share with Ash’s lovely family.
Of course they’ll face exposure and career repercussions, and Cade having to resolve his family issues, but they do it together and stay solid all the way through.
HEA, forbidden hockey player - coach relationship. Abusive parent. No OM action at all, a short mild stint of OP drama when Ash misunderstands Cade’s relationship with his female best friend. Totally safe for me. The writing is a bit immature, but, still, recommended if you're in the mood.
My thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for the ARC this is my free and impartial opinion.
March 13, 2026
A Rookie Mistake by Wren Hamilton
Length: 331 pages
Source: GRR Tours
Publication date: March 5, 2026
4 ⭐
3 🌶️
WHAT TO EXPECT
🏒 MM hockey romance
🏒 Rookie x coach
🏒 Secret relationship
🏒 Hurt/comfort
🏒 Age gap
🏒 Anxiety rep
🏒 Cat dad
🏒 Forced proximity/only one bed
🏒 Protective/caretaker MC
BLURB
Caden Kelly
They all say I was born with a natural talent. But skill isn’t the same as passion, and I’ve never loved hockey. Not the spotlight, not the pressure, and definitely not the expectations that come with being my father’s son.
I dream of a quieter life—one where I build and create instead of perform for a crowd. But in my father’s world, dreams are irrelevant. Control is everything. And he’s a ruthless expert at keeping me in line. So when he pushes me to sign with a new team far from home, I don’t argue. I never do.
Then Asher “The Ace” Landry steps onto the ice and into my life. I’ve seen his face on screens countless times, Stanley Cup champion turned assistant coach. But in person, he’s nothing like I imagined. Thoughtful. Attentive. Safe. And somehow, he sees me, even when I’m trying my hardest to disappear.
The truth is, I’m lost. On the ice. In my family. And in these new, confusing feelings Ash stirs in me. But something’s shifting, and as the pressure builds to a breaking point, I realize maybe it’s time I start fighting for my life, not the one planned out for me.
MY THOUGHTS
Poor Caden's anxiety gave ME anxiety while reading! His dad is awful, and their interactions are nerve-wracking. I was so happy each time he was able to be around Asher privately, though, because he could relax and be himself for a while. The banter between the two MCs is great, right off the bat. Asher is also extremely protective right off the bat, and he's so incredibly sweet toward Caden. He's very good at reading Caden's body language and facial expressions. Overall, these guys are both definitely down (real) bad for one another long before they're even intimate.
BOTTOM LINE
This was a quick, low-angst read, and now I'm curious if any of the side characters are going to get their own stories as well.
CONTENT WARNINGS
Physical and emotional abuse by parent (on page), references to chronic autoimmune disease (MS) for one parent, anxiety representation, explicit sexual content, mention of childhood trauma by parent
–A🩷
Thanks to GRR Tours and Wren Hamilton for an eARC of this book. All opinions are mine. Reviews posted regularly on StoryGraph, Goodreads, Amazon, Instagram, BlueSky, BookBub, and Fable.
Length: 331 pages
Source: GRR Tours
Publication date: March 5, 2026
4 ⭐
3 🌶️
WHAT TO EXPECT
🏒 MM hockey romance
🏒 Rookie x coach
🏒 Secret relationship
🏒 Hurt/comfort
🏒 Age gap
🏒 Anxiety rep
🏒 Cat dad
🏒 Forced proximity/only one bed
🏒 Protective/caretaker MC
BLURB
Caden Kelly
They all say I was born with a natural talent. But skill isn’t the same as passion, and I’ve never loved hockey. Not the spotlight, not the pressure, and definitely not the expectations that come with being my father’s son.
I dream of a quieter life—one where I build and create instead of perform for a crowd. But in my father’s world, dreams are irrelevant. Control is everything. And he’s a ruthless expert at keeping me in line. So when he pushes me to sign with a new team far from home, I don’t argue. I never do.
Then Asher “The Ace” Landry steps onto the ice and into my life. I’ve seen his face on screens countless times, Stanley Cup champion turned assistant coach. But in person, he’s nothing like I imagined. Thoughtful. Attentive. Safe. And somehow, he sees me, even when I’m trying my hardest to disappear.
The truth is, I’m lost. On the ice. In my family. And in these new, confusing feelings Ash stirs in me. But something’s shifting, and as the pressure builds to a breaking point, I realize maybe it’s time I start fighting for my life, not the one planned out for me.
MY THOUGHTS
Poor Caden's anxiety gave ME anxiety while reading! His dad is awful, and their interactions are nerve-wracking. I was so happy each time he was able to be around Asher privately, though, because he could relax and be himself for a while. The banter between the two MCs is great, right off the bat. Asher is also extremely protective right off the bat, and he's so incredibly sweet toward Caden. He's very good at reading Caden's body language and facial expressions. Overall, these guys are both definitely down (real) bad for one another long before they're even intimate.
BOTTOM LINE
This was a quick, low-angst read, and now I'm curious if any of the side characters are going to get their own stories as well.
CONTENT WARNINGS
Physical and emotional abuse by parent (on page), references to chronic autoimmune disease (MS) for one parent, anxiety representation, explicit sexual content, mention of childhood trauma by parent
–A🩷
Thanks to GRR Tours and Wren Hamilton for an eARC of this book. All opinions are mine. Reviews posted regularly on StoryGraph, Goodreads, Amazon, Instagram, BlueSky, BookBub, and Fable.
March 14, 2026
*ARC Review* Thank you for the copy!
Intro:
This book is an MM romance between Cade, a rookie for the Hammerheads hockey team and Asher, an injured NFL hockey player coaching Cade's team while he recovers
Tropes/Highlights:
-Dual POV
-MM
-Age Gap
-Shy MC
-Slowburn/Instalove
-Open Door Spice
-Queer Awakening
-Freckle Worship
-HEA
Likes:
-Interesting first chapter
-Cade's interest in computers/coding
-Potato, the black cat
-Sweet MCs
-Caden's best friend
-Ash's insistence to help Cade any way he could
-The book cover is adorable!
My Dislikes:
-Not a lot happened in regards to the plot, I was bored most of the book
-Pace felt too slow
-Some grammar/sentences were worded weird
-Didn't feel the emotional connection between characters, lacked important development
-Strange descriptions during spice scenes
Quotes:
-"The way Cade took me apart piece by piece when he aimed those sweet green eyes at me should be illegal"
-"His smile held some sort of magic power. Ash should bottle that shit"
-"Well, that was a guilt trip that even Kait wouldn't be able to top"
-"I'd dealt with so much pain, what was a little more?"
-"These goddamn blushes were going to be my downfal"
-"I was determined that my family would show Cade that all he had to do was exist as himself to be adored"
This is the first book I have read from this author and it was okay, but I couldn't get into it. Not much happened in terms of plot and I felt like the characters didn't have enough development/connection. I did like the few scenes in the beginning with the side characters and wished there was more input from those characters. There wasn't much banter or team spirit, which would have been nice to have. The author did state the hockey was implied in the book, which was fine, but I would have like at least a scene or two of the practices or games instead of "there was a game last night". I enjoyed the scenes where it was the two of them existing in each other's presence and both characters were sweet. Cade's shyness was endearing and Ash always made him feel safe and accepted. This book wasn't for me, but I don't think it was a bad book and this author definitely has potential. If you are looking for a slow paced book with soft characters, minimal hockey, a forbidden romance brewing and a hurt character finding his way in the world then you may like this book.
Intro:
This book is an MM romance between Cade, a rookie for the Hammerheads hockey team and Asher, an injured NFL hockey player coaching Cade's team while he recovers
Tropes/Highlights:
-Dual POV
-MM
-Age Gap
-Shy MC
-Slowburn/Instalove
-Open Door Spice
-Queer Awakening
-Freckle Worship
-HEA
Likes:
-Interesting first chapter
-Cade's interest in computers/coding
-Potato, the black cat
-Sweet MCs
-Caden's best friend
-Ash's insistence to help Cade any way he could
-The book cover is adorable!
My Dislikes:
-Not a lot happened in regards to the plot, I was bored most of the book
-Pace felt too slow
-Some grammar/sentences were worded weird
-Didn't feel the emotional connection between characters, lacked important development
-Strange descriptions during spice scenes
Quotes:
-"The way Cade took me apart piece by piece when he aimed those sweet green eyes at me should be illegal"
-"His smile held some sort of magic power. Ash should bottle that shit"
-"Well, that was a guilt trip that even Kait wouldn't be able to top"
-"I'd dealt with so much pain, what was a little more?"
-"These goddamn blushes were going to be my downfal"
-"I was determined that my family would show Cade that all he had to do was exist as himself to be adored"
This is the first book I have read from this author and it was okay, but I couldn't get into it. Not much happened in terms of plot and I felt like the characters didn't have enough development/connection. I did like the few scenes in the beginning with the side characters and wished there was more input from those characters. There wasn't much banter or team spirit, which would have been nice to have. The author did state the hockey was implied in the book, which was fine, but I would have like at least a scene or two of the practices or games instead of "there was a game last night". I enjoyed the scenes where it was the two of them existing in each other's presence and both characters were sweet. Cade's shyness was endearing and Ash always made him feel safe and accepted. This book wasn't for me, but I don't think it was a bad book and this author definitely has potential. If you are looking for a slow paced book with soft characters, minimal hockey, a forbidden romance brewing and a hurt character finding his way in the world then you may like this book.
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