Possible Alternative Title:  Why Am I Always Disappointed by Hockey Romances?

Meghan Quinn is one of my favorite authors and when she releases a new book I pick it up the same week. I love that all of her books are on KU. That was true again for her recently released 3rd book in the Vancouver Agitators Series Right Man, Right Time (3). I first read Kiss and Don’t Tell (1) in the summer of 2022 and loved the laugh out loud moments. I grew attached to the cast of characters and looked forward to reading their stories. However, reading the third book left me wondering if I actually like hockey romances because the book fell flat. There is a chance it is just the tropes in this particular novel…or it is time to admit the subgenera in general is an overall miss, Despite the fact that I so desperately want to enjoy a good hockey story.
 

The Ones that have Disappointed 

I have lost count of how many sports romances I have picked up in the last year. More often then not I am totally  let down by most of the hockey or ice skating romances I have picked up. Some started strong (Kiss and Don’t Tell) others I couldn’t even make it past the second chapter (From Lukov with Love). I even read the BookTok favorite Icebreaker and felt like there was just way to much happening for a college sports romance that manages to still be boring.
 

Proof I do like Sports Romances 

 

I really enjoyed Quinn’s Brentwood Boys ⚾️ series and the first of her hockey romances, Kiss and Don’t Tell (1). I think she does well capturing the mental and physical aspects of being a professional athlete. I thought the group dynamic was so entertaining. However, the second and third book Those Three Little Words (2) and Right Man, Right Time (3) didn’t have the same banter. They also included tropes that I just don’t love. Those Three Little Words is centered around a one night stand turned to pregnancy and Right Man, Right Time has major age gap. I also had issues with each of the female leads.
 

Final Thoughts

It seems that when an author writes a hockey romance it is more smut than substances. Usually featuring an alpha male, red flags, unnecessary miscommunication, and ubiquitous sex scenes. Looking at you Icebreaker. I would really like to see some more character development and relationship growth.
 
BUT if you are looking for sporty smut. I would still suggest Meghan Quinn’s over the others I have read. Do you have a favorite hockey romance I should try?
 
 
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