A Rivalry Worth Melting For
5out of 5 stars
Kelly Farmer has done it again with Unexpected Goals! This enemies-to-lovers hockey romance skated straight into my heart and parked itself firmly in my “must-recommend” pile. From the first clash on the ice to the simmering tension off of it, Maisy and Jen’s story had me hooked. And with Chelsea Stephens narrating? Absolute perfection. Stephens brought these fierce women to life with such vibrancy, I’m still hearing Maisy’s sharp wit and Jen’s determined grit in my head.
The chemistry between Maisy and Jen is electric from the get-go. Maisy’s cautious, steady Canadian vibe clashes beautifully with Jen’s fiery, no-holds-barred American style. Their rivalry had me grinning ear to ear—I’m talking full-on media-feeding-frenzy levels of drama here.
But it was the slow unraveling of their feelings that made this story shine. Every bit of their banter felt like a carefully choreographed dance on thin ice, and when that ice finally cracked, the emotions flooded through in the most delightful way. I found myself audibly cheering as their relationship evolved from reluctant teammates to something so much more. Farmer’s ability to balance humor, passion, and raw vulnerability is simply top-tier.
Don’t get me started on the emotions this book brought out of me – I love seeing someone find themselves and I thought that Farmer’s flashbacks were equal parts heartwarming and hysterical. I have to call this out because it’s easy to over or under-do it and I always feel like I know that Farmer is going to make me cry happy tears (I just didn’t expect this many).
I’d be remiss not to gush over the seamless way Farmer ties this book back to the first in the series. Seeing familiar faces from Out on the Ice gave this story a wonderful sense of continuity without overshadowing Maisy and Jen. And yes, the tease for the next book? Let’s just say I’m ready to hit. Farmer’s world of women’s hockey is just so rich and empowering—it’s a joy to visit and revisit with every story.
Now, back to Chelsea Stephens. Her narration was, quite simply, a masterclass. She didn’t just read the story; she lived it. Her inflection, pacing, and ability to capture the “Canadian sorry” with such authenticity—it’s like she was born for roles like this one.
If you’re in the mood for a romance that’s equal parts heartwarming and steamy, with characters who feel like real, flawed, wonderful people, Unexpected Goals is your book. Whether you’re new to the series or loved Out on the Ice as much as I did, you’re in for an unforgettable ride. Kelly Farmer and Chelsea Stephens make a dream team, and I’ll be cheering from the sidelines as they continue to deliver. Now if you’ll excuse me, book three is calling my name!
Book Description:
On-ice rivals find some surprising heat under all their hostility in this enemies-to-lovers hockey romance
If you can’t play nice, play hockey
Canadian goalie Maisy Goode is wary of American Jen Donato and her dirty playing. She’s been on the receiving end of Jen’s aggressive style and doesn’t like it one bit. Now that they’re on the same women’s pro team, keeping her eyes off Jen is a struggle.
Jen signed up to win it all with the Boston Ice. Her very public clashes with their hot goalie aren’t going to derail her championship plans. Jen’s a professional. But there’s just something about Maisy that gets under her skin.
The media loves the tension, but the more time Maisy and Jen are forced to spend together, the more they discover what’s between them isn’t entirely hostile.
At all.
Banter turns into flirting, and flirting turns into more. The closer they get to the playoffs, the more pressure weighs on the team—and the couple. Maisy needs Jen’s support. Jen needs to know Maisy’s all in. And it all needs to get sorted out before the season—and their relationship—closes out.
Unexpected Goals by Kelly Farmer
Narrator: Chelsea Stephens
Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins
Series: Out on the Ice #2
Published by Spotify Audiobooks on August 26th 2024
Genres: LesFic/Sapphic Fiction, Enemies to Lovers, Sports Romance
Format: Audiobook
Buy from Audible
Also by this author: Out on the Ice
Also in this series: Out on the Ice
I’ve loved reading since I was little when my dad would read me Dr. Suess books. Fast-forward a little and I noticed that he was always reading on his lunch breaks at work, and I wondered why.Then, I found a book that took me to another place and time, to another feeling,another sense of “being”.It was the first book that I ever fell in love with, and I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since.
