This book was adorable. I’m not a sports fan at all, but I still enjoyed this book. It talked about hockey but it wasn’t the focal point of the whole story.
I thought the characters were wonderful and realistic. I enjoyed that there was humor and romance and it was all clean.
I loved listening to the audio- it’s always nice when they have a male and a female narrator. They both did a wonderful job.
I will be reading more in this series!

Absolutely fantastic! The story is PERFECTION! I loved these people with literally everything I have! I’ve loved the story since it was published. Now listening to it? It came alive! Dual Narrator is my absolute favorite way to listen. These narrators in particular blew me out of the water! 10/10. Or more if I could!

Mitch is the notoriously angry defenseman of the DC Eagles. After a particular incidence on the ice, he is sent to re-build his “image” by coaching the Eagles sponsored youth hockey team.

What Mitch didn’t count on was the sassy Andi, the older sister of one of the youth hockey players.

Could she be the one to break down his walls?


An adorable, closed-door hockey romance. Desire or Defense gives all the exciting, swoony feelings of a new relationship. Mitch and Andi had great banter. Each is going through different family situations but come through it with the help of others.

I also loved Mitch’s love of John Wayne movies and how it brought back fond memories of his Grandpa.

The only thing I can say is how much I enjoyed this one.  I’m a sucker for a grumpy, growly MMC, which perfectly describes Mitch.  Match him up with a spunky FMC and I’m happy.  I loved every bit of the banter, chemistry, and relationships. There was a sweet found family element.  From the story to the plot and characters I was completely pulled in and didn’t want to put it down.  Full of swoony and heartfelt moments, with a few alpha scenes it captured all of my attention.

This is a closed door romance but the steamy kisses, tension, and innuendos make up for it - and I didn’t even notice the lack in open-door spice.  The progression of their relationship was natural.  I enjoyed the progression of their relationship from dislike to friendship.  Perfection!

this one was surprisingly cute as all fucking get out. nothing gets me going quite like the grumpiest asshole hockey player becoming the softest squish of a man 😭

major bonus points for found family and the relationship between noah (andies little brother) and mitch being the cutest shit ever

a fun easy listen 🎧🫶🏼

This was pretty good.
I love me some hockey romance, despite not being a big fan of hockey *shrugs*
I like the organic way the two MC got to know each other and the relationship was allowed developed slowly.
I will definitely be looking for more from Leah Brunner.

I haven’t read many sports romances because it is so hard to find some that are closed door/fade to black (one fade to black scene in epilogue). I LOVED this one! It is perfect for fans of The Cheat Sheet and the Disney show/movies Mighty Ducks. Did it feel like anything super new or different, no but it was a great balance of emotional depth, lovable characters, character growth, chemistry without being steamy, and found family. I really enjoyed this more than I expected and the audiobook having the two narrators was perfect for the dual pov. I also really appreciated the content notes at the beginning of the book. While it did deal with loss of parents (via death; drugs, and toxic relationship) this book did a really good job of not dwelling on the details to make it feel super heavy (was no where near the intensity of a Colleen hoover type book). I thought it was done perfectly and I’m so excited to have another book to recommend to people looking for closed door romance.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Desire or Defense is Leah Brunner’s first full-length book in her DC Eagles Hockey series, which follows her novella, Passion or Penalty. This is a closed-door sports romance told in dual POV.

Mitch “The Machine” Anderson, introduced in Passion or Penalty, is the least favorite player on the D.C. Eagles hockey team. He is a notoriously angry, grouchy defenseman who has trouble controlling his temper, and he gives an opposing player a concussion during a fight which results in a fifteen-game suspension from the NHL. Not only is he dropped from endorsement deals, but he is required to go to counseling and serve as an assistant coach on a youth hockey team to help rebuild his image.

Mitch’s mother abandoned him and his father when he was young, and youth hockey was his refuge until Child Protective Services removed him from his drug-addicted father’s home. He lived with his grandfather until he died when Mitch was 18. Mitch has felt unlovable for many years and is resentful of his teammates and their loving families.

Andie Downsby is an ICU nurse whose parents were killed nine months earlier, leaving her to become her 11-year-old brother’s guardian. Andie moved back to DC to care for Noah, but she wasn’t close to him due to age and distance, and she’s having to learn his daily routine as well as deal with their grief. Andie decides that their home life will improve if she updates their parents’ house and installs some weights to create a home gym.

When Andie hears the new assistant hockey coach speaking unkindly to the boys, she walks onto the ice and gives him a piece of her mind. Mitch realizes that Andie knows nothing about hockey and doesn’t have any idea who he is. He recognizes Noah’s talent and trouble relating to teammates, so he offers to have extra coaching sessions for Noah. Noah opens up to Mitch and tells him that therapy is helping him, which makes Mitch more receptive to his own mandated counseling sessions. Of course Mitch and Andie have to overcome obstacles on their way to falling in love.

I enjoyed listening to Desire or Defense; the narrators, Dane Anderson and Alex Picard, do an outstanding job giving life to Andie and Mitch. It was a treat to have a hockey story that didn’t involve an athlete displaying bad behavior off the ice. The cameos from the characters introduced in Passion or Penalty added to the overall story. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series, Flirtation or Faceoff.

I received an advance review copy (ARC) from NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

3.75

This was a solid read and I thought it was really cute. It was lighthearted, fun, a bit emotional too. I loved the growth of both of our main characters, Mitch and Andie, and the journey in their relationship plus I adored seeing Mitch interactions with Andie’s brothers Noah. I’m a sucker for the found family trope so I adored seeing the team aspect of the story and how in the end Mitch understood his team where his brothers, his family as well as Andie and Noah.
This is a closed fort romance so there isn’t any spice in it, so if it’s something you prefer this book is for you.

Hockey romance
Nurse/ hockey player
She is her little brother’s guardian
He becomes our FMC brother couch for a bit
Sassy jar
Found family
Talk of therapy

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with the audiobook for this book. Is out now.

I had the pleasure of immersing myself in the world of "Desire or Defense" by Leah Brunner, the first book in the DC Eagles Hockey series. This hockey romance, set against the backdrop of the intense world of professional sports, expertly combines sizzling chemistry with heartwarming connections. This captivating tale had me hooked from the first puck drop.

Mitch "The Machine" Anderson, a grumpy and fiercely guarded hockey player, finds himself in a situation he never expected. Suspended from the game, he's coerced into coaching a youth hockey team. The twist? This team happens to include the younger brother of Andie Downsby, a nurse who's taken on the role of legal guardian after a tragic accident.

Brunner masterfully navigates the complexities of two characters burdened by their pasts. Mitch, scarred by abandonment and blame, is as hard as the ice he skates on. Andie, grieving the loss of her parents, carries a heavy weight of responsibility on her shoulders as the new caregiver for her brother. When their paths collide, sparks fly in the most unexpected ways.

The slow-burning attraction between Mitch and Andie is a delight to witness, and their journey from adversaries to companions is filled with heart and humor. Brunner's writing brings their emotional struggles to life, making their growth and transformation a joy to experience.

What's even better is that the wait for the next installment won't be too long. I'm excited to dive into "Flirtation or Faceoff: An Enemies to Lovers Hockey Romcom," the second book in the series, set to release on September 1. If it's anything like "Desire or Defense," I'm in for another round of captivating romance and engaging storytelling.

For fans of hockey, romance, and stories of redemption, "Desire or Defense" hits all the right notes. With its strong characters, emotional depth, and engaging narrative, this book skates its way into your heart and leaves you eagerly anticipating more from Leah Brunner's DC Eagles Hockey series.

I loved this book when I read it in June, so I jumped on the chance to listen to the audiobook. The story was just as good the second time around and still resonated with me in so many ways. I adored the various relationships and how fully developed each one was. I was so happy to be reminded of the amazing mental health representation expressed throughout this book and especially the emphasis on men’s mental health. Everyone deserves to be happy and fulfilled, and if therapy is what will help you get there, that’s fantastic!! The romance hit just as hard as the first time I read it. This is one of those books that is closed door but still gives you all the feels—all the tension, swooniness, and butterflies.

Dane Anderson and Alex Picard were magnificent narrators. Each of them embodied Mitch and Andy perfectly. And their voices for the other characters were varied and so fun to listen to!!

If you haven’t read this book yet, the audiobook is now available and I highly recommend it!!

Content warnings: mild language, some drinking, parental abandonment discussed, parental substance abuse discussed, loss of loved ones (off-page), grief, therapy

(I received an audio ARC from NetGalley.)

I absolutely love Hockey Romance and this one by Leah Brunner is adorable. Broody, grumpy professional hockey player Mitch falls so hard for the hardworking, sweet sunshine.
The characters were perfect and I loved reading about them growing. I love that they had real problems and both worked through them!
This book was a beautiful closed door romance and I loved it!

I joined the hockey trope trend and hit the ice scoring a total win with Desire or Defense. It started out rather slow and I wasn’t certain I was going to like the story at all. RomCom is normally a hit or miss for me. I love them as pallet cleansers, but they usually don’t knock it out of the park for me.

Brunner gave us two struggling characters and created a believable growth experience for them. I loved Mitch and Andie – and of course, Andie’s little brother Noah. A tragic event and two people learning how to navigate through life issues, loss, and bullies – on the ice and off – made for a great listen.

The narrators were perfect for this story – in pitch, canter, and inflection. I’ll be searching out other stories they’ve voiced for.

Take not of the trigger warnings – if grief is an issue for you, then proceed with a bit of caution as this element is the driving force of the story.

This little RomCom is a perfect book club read with amazingly deep themes: loss, grief, parent abandonment, therapy stigma, becoming a guardian when a family member dies, etc.

Thank you Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for my advance listening copy. All opinions are my own.

I am a fan of a good sports romance and this hockey romance from Leah Brunner hit all the right notes. This sports romcom felt like a mash up between an earlier Sarah Adams novel and Leah’s styles, while being a Leah original and I cannot wait for more to come in this series. I may have to become a hockey fan after reading this.
I really enjoyed this book and did not want to put it down. It was a good escape and a nice romance to get lost in with a variety of humor and heartfelt moments. The way this book blended humor and romance while also tackling (very gracefully) trauma in the MCs’ pasts was incredible. I also really enjoyed the banter, text messages, and that ending. :)
I originally read this book and then listened to the audiobook thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape. If it's possible to have book hangover a second time around, that is how listening to this audiobook was for me. The narration was excellent. I felt like both narrators' matched the age and attitudes of Mitch and Andie. Mitch in particular sounded gruff just like I imagined his character to be. It was easy to listen to and follow a long. I definitely recommend the audiobook version. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Andie was a traveling nurse until about 9 months ago, when her parents were suddenly killed in a car crash, and now she's the sole guardian of her 12 year old brother, Noah. Mitch is an pro hockey player with anger issues, and gets sidelined and sent help coach a kids hockey team.

5⭐ (story)I loved this book. I loved Andie and Mitch. They were both flawed and human, and their relationship from the beginning was so entertaining. I loved the banter, and how they got under each other's skin at first, but how they grew together and learned to trust each other.

This story is more than just the romance. It's about learning to deal with all the sh!t in your past, finding a way to accept yourself for who you are and where you're at, and to work on getting yourself to where you want to be. This novel broke me and put me back together a few times. ❤️

I loved Mitch and Andie. I loved Noah. I loved all their friends. I kind of wish there was a little more spice, but in the context of this story, it wasn't needed. This was my first book by Leah Brunner. It definitely won't be the last! If you like hockey or sports romances, you will enjoy this one!

4.5⭐ (audio) I listened to the audio version of this and both narrators did a fine job. I listen to a LOT of audiobooks, and I enjoyed the nuances and the storytelling that these two brought!

⚠️ Please pay attention to trigger warnings on this, especially for grief and abuse. These are integral to the story for both characters. I feel like they are dealt with respectfully, but as someone who occasionally gets triggered by stuff in books, I think it's important for readers to be aware, especially when it's a big part of the plot. (The stuff happened in the past, it's just dealing with emotions etc that happens on page.) Be safe and kind to yourself, friends! ❤️

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

I can't imagine other people narrating Mitch and Andie, it was a very smooth and enjoyable audio to listen to, and I'm already looking forward to more from both Alex and Dane!

In Defense and Desire, we meet Angie, a sister struggling to fulfill the parenting role in her younger brother's life after their parents suddenly pass away, and the new coach to her brother's hockey team doesn't help very much when he is yelling at her brother or being extremely attractive. Angie was a delight to listen to, the voice suited her so well that I had to look up Alex Picard and get more.

Mitch, the professional player, is suspended after one too many times in the penalty box, so teaching youth hockey is not on his priority list, but Angie and her brother, Noah, change everything. He is the grumpy of the group, but around Angie, he is just a softy, so if you like "I like everyone but you" this is a good one. Dane's narration was on point for Mitch because I imagined Mitch talking and not somebody reading for Mitch, and I was able to listen to it without any trouble.

This book has a surprising depth that I didn't expect from a cartoon cover, but it deals with grief, parental abandonment, the importance of therapy, and more. It was refreshing to pick up and enjoy it more than I was expecting.

Desire or Defense is a delightful hockey romance from Lean Brunner, the first in the D.C. Eagles series. This closed door romance is hilarious and tender.

Mitch is a phenomenal hockey player, but his hot temper has him benched for four weeks worth of games. During his break, he finds himself helping coach a youth hockey team, where he meets Noah, a kid who reminds him a lot of his younger self. He also meets Noah's sister and guardian, Andie. Mitch and Andie immediately butt heads, but what started as antagonism quickly turns to attraction and eventually love.

Desire or Defense is a great start to a new series. The romance was super swoony, and Mitch and Andie were both wonderful characters you couldn't help but root for. Brunner handles grief with tender compassion, weaving slow, steady healing into the story. I love how the characters work to destigmatize therapy.

The narrators were fantastic. Dane Anderson is one of my favorite male narrators, and Alex Picard was great as Andie. Thank you to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for my advance listening copy.

This is a spice-free, grumpy x sunshine, hockey romance.

Andie is an ICU nurse who becomes the 27-year-old guardian to her young brother, Noah, after their parents die in a car crash. Mitch Anderson is a grumpy NHL player with anger issues on a 5 week suspension for causing a concussion in another player. The meet-cute is when - in order to improve his image - Mitch has to coach a local 10-13 year old league and Andie storms onto the ice to give him a piece of her mind after he yells at the kids.

The story focuses on the mental health of Mitch and how he copes with his own traumatic childhood as much as it focuses on the budding relationship between Andie and Mitch. There’s very little drama (though not none), and Mitch is definitely one of those “I want to be worthy of you” MMCs.

I listened on audio and I liked the female narrator, but the male gave me beginning of a superhero movie or Batman vibes. It was hard for me to get past and it made it hard for me to connect to the character.

Besides a couple kisses, this is not a steamy book, it is also not a rom-com (so I guess don’t judge a book by its cover). Overall, it was fine, just not really my style.

⭐⭐⭐

⭐️ 4
🌶 Closed Door, Kissing Only

🏒 Romantic Comedy
🩺 Sports Romance
🏒 Grumpy/Sunshine
🩺 Single Parent/Guardian
🏒 Celebrity Romance (NHL Player)
🩺 Slow Burn
🏒 Mental Health Rep

It's been a while since I've read a closed-door romance and y'all..... I honestly forgot how good the tension is!!! I have had Desire or Defense on my TBR since Leah started promoting it. When I got approved for the audio copy through NetGalley, I rannnn to listen! The narration by Dane Anderson and Alex Picard truly brought the characters to life.

I truly enjoyed the world that Leah built. I always love a good sports romance, but these characters were such a good time. Mitch was the grumpiest grump and Andie was a bright ray of sunshine. These two definitely go toe-to-toe and Andie gives Mitch a run for his money LOL. They were a perfect pairing.

I also thought Leah did a great job with the mental health aspect in this story. Mitch and Noah, Andie's younger brother, were an adorable pair and I loved their relationship. They taught one another so much and it was precious.

I look forward to reading the rest of the Hooked on a Feeling Series by Leah Brunner. Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an Advanced Listening Copy of Desire or Defense!

I really loved this sweet story! Hockey romance has been a big thing lately, and this definitely didn't disappoint. It felt like Sarah Adams writing and I loved how Mitch, the MMC, took Andie, the FMC, little brother under his wing and helped him. Mitch was so grumpy and then when he met Andie, it was like game over. Such a good book and other than the agent's voice, I enjoyed the narration as well.