Another fun read by Ava Miles!

This one had a bit of a different take on hockey romances and it was really fun to experience. Val and Darla are cultural anthropologists asked to observe the team and help the coach come up with a plan to whip his team into shape to win the finals. Val has never let her emotions be shown openly until she meets Brock, the captain of the team. They have an instant connection and her studious brain can't make sense of it. She tries to resist but Brock is just too irresistible even for her!

This story as a whole was fun and quirky. Val is the awkward school girl and Brock is the hot athlete who is obsessed with her. They were such a fun couple together. I adored the secondary character's as well. Darla and Brock's family were so funny and I loved how supportive they were of these two as a couple. The found family aspect was so heartwarming here! Brock's niece was in dire need of some supportive role models and Darla and Val were just that. I will say the beginning was a little slower for me personally but once I got more into the story I was hooked. Ava made me fall in love so much with these characters I was near tears at the end, but thankfully we get the full HEA in the end.

Thank you so much GetRedPR Books, Netgalley, and Ava Miles for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

This was such a fun and unique take on a hockey romance! The idea of two anthropologists studying a team to see if hockey players are basically modern cavemen is hilarious and weirdly brilliant. Val was quirky, blunt, and so committed to her research that it made her accidental romance with Brock even more fun to watch unfold.

Brock was an absolute sweetheart- confident without being cocky, and the way he cared for his family totally won me over. Their interactions had just the right mix of awkward, sweet, and steamy. And I loved the little touches, like Val’s notes and the chapter questions which was super clever and kept everything playful.

The humor throughout the book was so offbeat that it made the more romantic moments stand out even more. The plot was fun and totally original, with just enough chaos to keep things interesting. From locker room antics to academic meltdowns, it had a great balance between romance and comedy. Definitely a light-hearted read that doesn’t take itself too seriously in the best way.

If you're looking for something a little different in the sports romance world that's smart, funny, and full of heart, The Hockey Experiment is a great pick. Add it to your TBR and get ready to smile.

Something hotly emotional pressed against the back of his throat. Her praise. That she liked him. That this was more than a simple weekend of sex. “There’s a lot I like about you too, Val, and God knows you take my breath away.”
-Brock “The Rock”

This was a very adorable book. If you are someone who likes Ali Hazelwoods stem aspects in her romance books you will like this. This focuses on Val, a cultural anthropologist brought in to study a hockey team to help them improve their game, and Brock, the captain of the team and a cinnamon roll of a man.

Val and Brock do an amazing job of building a trust and friendship before anything even happens. Brock is a family man and when his sisters life falls apart, she and her two kids move in with him. Brocks niece, Kinsley, is going through mass amounts of rejection, and Val, along with her best friend Darla, help bring Kinsley out of her slump.

Although Val’s and Darlas true identity must stay concealed, Val can’t help but fall for the sexy captain, and Brock sees more than Val’s baggy clothes and oversized glasses.

This takes love to a new level, and the science behind certain love aspects is fascinating.

Spice: 🌶️

Tropes:
✨ workplace romance
✨ hidden true identity
✨ hockey player MMC
✨ love at first sight
✨ he falls first and hard
✨ team owners daughter

Really enjoyed the plot of this book but found the way the main characters personality was written kind of cringey. It didn’t seem authentically placed, and I found it a struggle to get past certain points without being annoyed. She spoke to her research partner/friend so normally and then would have the oddest “intelligent” phrases around her love interest. Overall great writing and vivid descriptions. I could self at the pond or the rink by the descriptions.

I really liked the idea of this book, and usually love a sports romance. However, I found I just couldn't get into it unfortunately and dnf'd at 30% :(
I thought the male main character was sweet, but didn't like or relate to either of the fmcs. The plot just wasn't there for me either sadly.

Date a hockey player?? Dr. Valentina Hargrove says no thanks.⁣
Study one for science? Oh, she’s in.⁣
⁣
But then comes Brock “The Rock” Thomson scarred, sexy, surprisingly smart and suddenly her whole “caveman” theory is on thin ice.⁣
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I loved this book. It’s smart, funny, and full of sizzling tension. Brock is the kind of gruff-but-sweet hero you fall for fast, and Valentina’s brainy sass made me root for her from page one.⁣
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If you’re into hockey heat, forbidden romance, and heroines who don’t take crap from anyone this one’s for you.

Oh my gosh. I loved this so much. I found myself laughing out loud so many times at the thought processes in Val's head. I had some reservations at first, trying to decided if I was going to like her and cheer for her, because she was so scientific in her thought processes, but I ended up really liking the chemistry between her and Brock. It wasn't necessarily insta-love, but he did like her from the beginning.

If you want to read a rom-com that equates men to cavemen, read this book. It is hilarious and sweet.

Super cute romance about a cultural anthropologist and hockey player who are thrown together in an unlikely way.

I really enjoyed the FMC's best friend Darla. She was often the "voice of reason" when a socially awkward Val was ready to throw in the towel, so to speak. There is excellent character dynamic in this book, between the FMC, MMC, and all side characters. Fun quirky dialogue and banter make it a really enjoyable read.

I did feel that somewhere in the middle, the author lost me. I was aware that the FMC was becoming close-ish with the MMC's family, but there are lacking details in exactly how they get to that point. I also wasn't a huge fan of the overly "nerdy" way that Val spoke and the over usage of My Sexy Librarian, it just felt very forced.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and the characters were fun. I think it is definitely a good, quick, easy read for someone who enjoys quirky sports romances.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the ARC and the chance to review this book.

I love hockey and romance books, so this seemed like the perfect mix to me. The plot didn’t reach take off for me and I had a hard time seeing these characters together. I would certainly read books by this author again, but this one wasn’t for me.

This turned out to be such a fun surprise. I didn’t connect with the story right away, but something about it kept tugging at me… and before I knew it, I was flipping pages fast!

Val is sharp, stubborn, and refreshingly smart. Her latest academic project has her studying hockey players up close-trying to figure out if guys like them still run more on instinct than intention when it comes to relationships. She’s supposed to stay objective, but Brock makes that tricky. He’s intense and confident, but also thoughtful in ways that catch her off guard.

Their chemistry builds beautifully, and the emotional pull between them goes deeper than either of them expects. Val’s presence around the team isn’t completely random-there’s a quiet connection a few people are aware of. What started as a maybe turned into a book I thoroughly enjoyed.

I personally couldn’t get into the writing style and was confused the entire time. I feel like there was a lot left out and I personally feel as if there could’ve been more growth or development in the characters or something to tie it all together.

Thank you for the ARC for my honest opinion!

DNF @ 37%

Thank you to NetGalley, to Ava Miles and Lori at @GetRedPR for the opportunity to read this book. I am so upset I didn't get to enjoy it as the rest of my peers did.

The story follows Val and Darla, PhDs, who are studying the similarities between cavemen and hockey players. Val gets acquainted with the Hockey Captain, Brock, a man that is immediately drawn to Val, despite Val not too interested in him.

What I couldn't like about the book was the writing style. Third POV is hard as it is, but Val's internal monologues can be pretty difficult to follow. There were times while reading that I was confused on who was talking. Additionally, I didn't like the extreme "I hate men" energy the two gave off, like listen, I also hate men but it was hard to get behind in this book. Especially when the MMC is just a sweetheart taking care of his niece and nephew.

I'm not sure if I should add this as well, but the term "light black" was weird. I think the line was "the light made her light black skin glow" or something. I think it is more acceptable to say brown, maybe? Maybe even, caramel skin? Maybe I'm just nitpicking...

i like how this book wasnt run of the mill. yes it had the tropes we love to love. but it had more realness to it. because the characters could not just be messy and flawed but also a little confused or confusing. their feelings were actually complex. it felt awkward at times but that again felt like a more relatable feeling in context.
and the lady wasnt just a "oh shes never been seen but why not because look at her" swoon. and the bloke wasnt just a "hes sooooo handsome but has a heart" ick. i hope there are better woman and that out there thankyou very much.
Vals project was quirky in itself. shes dived into hockey with an experiment in the name of science? of course this is her job. alls good and professional right. haha Brock might have something to say or do about that Val.
there banter and interactions are great. they are fun and whip smart.
Val and Brock are two gorgeous characters. and yes i fell for them both.
this book was full of emotions but also full of swooning and those big grin moments too.
smart and swoony. loved it.

The Hockey Experiment is the perfect summer read—ideal for days when you want to escape into a story of friendship, love, and connection.

Brock “The Rock” Thomson and Dr. Valentina “Val” Hargrove are an unforgettable pair. He’s cinnamon roll meets golden retriever—uncle, boyfriend, and team captain all rolled into one. She’s the quiet, shy academic with a competitive figure skater’s fire but hidden deep under cover of big glasses and baggy shirts.

But what truly sets them apart is their deep love for family and their devotion to Bricks' new niece and nephew. Their connection is instant and undeniable, and their chemistry? Sharp, thrilling—like a slide skid stop right at the buzzer.

I was having a really fun time reading this at first. The science and analytical aspect was fun but then it just kept going. It just felt overdone to me. I also think it was a bit too insta lovey. I needed some more tension…
I really wanted to love this book (I’m a hockey romance Stan) but there were just too many aspects that I didn’t like and that drew me out of the story 😕

Thankyou for sending me an ARC of The Hockey Experiment. Unfortunately this book wasn’t for me and I did DNF at 65%

I really liked the idea behind the story but I didn’t enjoy the way it was written. The switching between 3rd person and conscious stream of thought was jarring at times.
I didn’t enjoy Val as a character. She was very clinical and had an odd, cold way of speaking that I just couldn’t connect with.
I did really enjoy Brock and his family and Darla but won’t be continuing with this series

I would recommend it for people that are really interested in sciences esp human behaviour

I did like the banter between Val and Brock. Brock is the hot hockey captain, who is trying to get the team to play together and win the cup. Brock also has his sister and nephew and niece living with him.
Brock is attracted to Val and she knows her job is to find how she and co worker Darla can figure out maleness and science of man.
Lots of fun banter but I felt the book dragged on too long.
Darla and Val were a great help to Brocks niece Kingsley and supportive of her.
Brock is a great uncle and takes time to spend with his family.

This book was so much fun. I loved the strength of female friendships and found family portrayed in the story. The way these were there for each other and other women was perfect. The caveman to hockey player study was a fun element that gave the nerdy girl/athlete romance a fun twist that I haven’t seen before. The story was engaging and the romance was so good.
I hope we get to see books for Darla and Susan too!

I am really enjoying this book, but I am 18% through and needed to stop in and submit to is note in my review before I forget it. I’ll return when I’m downward with the book to add the rest of my thoughts.

You don’t really call someone’s skin color “light black” that made me do a double take…she’s black. You can say that then follow up with descriptions of the color of her skin. Or says light brown. Or don’t say she’s black and just describe the color of her skin “golden brown, caramel, etc” whatever describes the color of the person you are writing.

Light black is gray.

I already knew this character was black. Her name is Darla and her mom was a singer in the industry know for a voice that travels in jazz. She’s definitely black.

I really implore you to update this, and any similar description that may exist in the novel as is.

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Will be back in a few to add my full review!

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Update: I finished the book! It’s so funny and adorable. I enjoyed the cast of characters and I look forward to Darla’s story

Thank you to @GetRedPR and @AvaMiles and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Hockey Experiment is smart, funny, and unexpectedly heartfelt — the kind of book that sneaks up on you in the best way.

Valentina, our FMC's research project is absolutely unhinged in the funniest of ways. She dives into the world of pro hockey for science, determined to stay objective. Enter Brock: the ridiculously charming, incredibly attractive hockey player who makes “staying professional” a total lost cause. Their chemistry is instant, and the banter is sharp, witty, and laugh-out-loud funny. I had a permanent grin on my face.

Val’s internal struggle — wanting to keep things strictly academic while dealing with very real, very inconvenient feelings — felt incredibly relatable. And Brock surprised me. He’s not just the classic sports romance heartthrob (though he definitely checks that box); he’s thoughtful, grounded, and knows exactly how to throw Val off her game in the best possible way.

The romance builds in such a satisfying, slow-burn way. It’s fun and flirty, but also layered with real emotional stakes that give it depth. And the sports drama? Just enough to raise the tension without taking over the story. Everything blended together so well — the humor, the heart, the heat.

By the end, I was fully invested and honestly didn’t want it to end. If you’re into laugh-out-loud romantic comedies with strong, smart heroines, swoony heroes, and just the right dose of sports, this one’s a total win.

On Sale June 9!
4.25

#TheHockeyExperiment, #AvaMiles, #GetRedPR, #HockeyRomance #NetGalley