Keeping the Score is the second book in the New Jersey Storm series featuring hockey player Ford and his neighbour and friend Andi. This single dad, friends to lovers story hit me in the feels. Also loved how Ford dressed with flair as so many hockey players do. A great addition to this series. Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC. This is my honest review

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again … I LOVE HOCKEY ROMANCES
This book was so heartwarming, I love how the author perfectly balances spicy, fun vibes with serious and sad things making you feel the ups and downs as though you are the characters!
I really got hooked on this book and couldn’t put it down, which I think says good things about how this author writes

This book is a tender, emotionally grounded romcom that blends heartfelt moments with humor, romance, and a meaningful look at life’s curveballs. Ford, a focused and disciplined hockey player, has always prioritized his career—often at the expense of personal relationships. Andi, his kind and recently divorced neighbor, shares a warm and supportive friendship with him. But when Ford is thrown off course by an unexpected life event, it’s Andi who becomes his anchor. As the two navigate this new reality together, their bond strengthens and slowly evolves into something deeper and more passionate.The chemistry between Ford and Andi is both believable and slow-burning in the most satisfying way. Their journey—from supportive friendship to something more—is rich with vulnerability, trust, and the realization that life’s detours often lead to the best destinations.What makes this book stand out is how thoughtfully it tackles the idea of letting go—of rigid plans, control, and fear—in favor of embracing the unpredictable. It’s a story that nudges readers to reflect on their own priorities and the kind of love that can grow when we least expect it.

Vey disappointed with this book. I loved the first book in the series but this one really fell flat. Too much telling and not enough showing. They were just jumping from plot point to plot point. I didn’t feel any connection with either of the main characters.

This story is hilarious. The MMC reminds me of my first ever boyfriend.

I thought his lack of prowess with children, and his general inability to read the room added a comedic element while also making him feel real. I prefer novels with neurodivergent characters, and I also appreciate that this aligned with the reality of many folk never getting a real diagnosis.

Obviously, he has quirks and patterns that disrupt his daily life. That is one of the primary elements that characterizes a diagnosis in the DSM. So it was great to see him learn to love himself and to have support of family and friends, even though they were a bit ignorant to the extent of his internal conflict & sometimes unaccommodating. That is pretty realistic too.

I thought Andie was precious. And their dynamic learning to care for the kid was adorable.

The single dad trope isn’t one i have read before and having read the previous book I was interested in continuing the series. Andi is a recent divorced business owner. Ford is a goalie on the hockey team they are neighbours. Ford becomes a single dad and asks his neighbour to help out. They book is spicy and enjoyable

this was a very well written story.
I very much liked Ford and Andi's story. this couple and all the secondary characters gave me all the feels, I feel like I don't want to part with these charaters.

Well, this is my first Kelly Jamieson book, and I WILL be coming back for more!
I love a sports romance. I have read so many hockey romances, and I never get tired of them.
Topes: single Dad, the growth of a parent, neighbors to lovers, instant parent from one night stand, child abandoned by biological Mother, and so much more.
The plot was well structured. It was so heartwarming, and Kelly did a great job of balancing romance with actual plot! The pace of the book was well done.
The characters (Andi and Ford) were well-developed, and I was able to connect with them. The chemistry was there, and I fell in love with them.
I had not read the first book, and I was able to pick this book up and read it as a stand-alone without feeling like I was missing something.
To give a little snippet without too many spoilers, Ford ends up being left with his daughter whom he did not know about, as she was the result of a one-night stand. Ford is desperate, not knowing what to do because Ford is a man who lives a very routine-driven and structured life, so to have his kid dropped off puts quite a bit of chaos into his day-to-day. Enter his next-door neighbor, Andi, whom he convinces to help him. There is hilarious awkwardness with the child and the two MCs. Together comes the story of learning to care for a child.
During learning how to care for baby Mathilda, Andi and Ford begin to fall for one another. Their romance was relatable for the majority of the book, and their chemistry was great!
I felt so many emotions during the reading of this book, and that is my favorite thing! I was happy, cozy, crying at some points, and it hit all my feels!
I think this deserves to be added to your summer 2025 TBR immediately.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Kelly Jamieson for the opportunity to review this ARC!
Happy Reading, Friends!

What can I say? I like Kelly Jamieson’s hockey guys. Keeping the Score is a standalone, but between you and me: all of Kelly’s books can be perfectly read as a stand alone.

The main characters Andi and Ford are cute. Both a little quirky, but in a good way. Andi is shy and a bit of an introvert. But her neighbor Ford is always willing to help her out. Being cheated on and dumped by her ex-boyfriend has done a number on her self esteem. So, when Ford shows up at her door with a cute baby girl, Andi decides it is time for her to be there for Ford.

And although they both have no idea how to take care of an infant, they learn how to cope. Ford is an endearing character, who likes structure in his life. This baby definitely isn’t helping him keep his structure and routines. Luckily, his awesome neighbor Andi is helping him out. Together, they make a great team. But what if his daughter’s mother returns? Will Andi leave his life again?

A heartwarming, cute and funny story. Absolutely loved it! Four out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

Thank you for the ARC!

I wanted to love this one a lot but I was not into either MCs that much. The plot and concept was good for the story but I struggled a lot with the writing style and dialogue. Despite their ages, this felt more like reading a college romance style romance than their actual ages in the book. I know that there was some trauma they each had to face but it was written in a way that did not truly highlight that or the depth of their feelings.

A sweet and spicy read! Keeping the Score is a fast-paced hockey romance featuring a single dad and a divorcee. I liked Ford and Andi’s connection and thought their banter was fun. It did feel like Ford took advantage of Andi as childcare though. There were some good emotional moments and twists at the end that made up for the aspects I didn’t like as much!

This emotional and charming romcom explores how life’s unexpected turns can disrupt even the most carefully laid plans. It’s a heartwarming reminder that sometimes, letting go of control leads to the most meaningful outcomes.
Ford is a determined, disciplined, and somewhat self-centered hockey player whose career has always been his top—and only—priority. Andi, his sweet, attractive, and recently divorced neighbor, shares a close and supportive friendship with him. So when Ford is blindsided by a major life event, it’s Andi who steps up without hesitation.
As they navigate this surprise together, their emotional bond deepens, and the physical attraction that simmers between them becomes impossible to ignore. Through close proximity, unwavering support, and the joy of an unexpected twist in their lives, they begin to realize there’s more to life than ambition—and more to love than they ever imagined.
This story left me reflecting deeply on how to approach challenges and rethinking what truly matters in life. A heartfelt, thoughtful read that balances humor, romance, and real-life insight beautifully.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked how they started out as friends but developed into something more with a little help from Tilly.

I loved seeing both Ford and Andi with Tilly, from being single people adamant they didn't want children to falling for her. I did feel Andi did so much more for Ford and Tilly. I also thought Ford relied a bit too heavily on Andi.

However, the ending suprised me, it was an emotional rollercoaster!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital ARC!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again—I love hockey romance books. I have no idea why, as I've never watched a game, but they just scratch an itch for me.

This story features the classic single dad trope, only Ford quite literally gets a baby dumped on him and turns him into a single dad overnight. Before this, his world was carefully structured for control with strict routines that included certain days for cleaning certain rooms. As a goalie, a lot of this gets written off as general goalie quirks from others, and thankfully, no one finds him too odd. But his world gets shattered with the arrival of his baby daughter, Matilda - babies are notorious for ruining routines!

He enlists the help of his neighbour, Andi, which is hilarious as neither of them ever wanted kids, and they both act awkward around Matilda. But there's plenty of character growth throughout this book, with them naturally becoming great parents and loving little Tilly with all their heart. This little girl not only brings Andi and Ford together but also helps to encourage them both to grow and evolve as people who aren't as rigid with their lives.

Ford's teammates were so sweet, and I loved how they all immediately jumped in with help, both physical and verbal, for him and Tilly! Despite what Ford initially thought, he had a found family that rallied around him to help him care for this little girl, who was suddenly his world.

Overall, this was quite a fun and easy read. My only complaint is that I don't like the cover, but that obviously has nothing to do with the story itself!

This is book two in the Storm Hockey series, and I loved getting to know Ford and Andi. Neighbors-to-lovers romances always warm my soul! While this book can be read as a standalone, there are fun cameos from characters in previous books.
Ford is a goalie with a lot of quirks—he thrives on routine and doesn’t handle change well. That is, until an adorable little girl is left in his care by a one-night stand, forcing him to learn to adapt to a completely different life overnight. Ford doesn’t know the first thing about babies and never imagined himself as a father. That’s where Andi comes in.

Ford and Andi have been neighbors and friends for a while—the kind of neighbors everyone dreams of. Their relationship was purely platonic, built on easygoing companionship, helping each other with small things, and offering a sense of comfort and familiarity. Andi is finally getting her life back on track after a surprising divorce, focusing on no-strings flings and building her dream business. She definitely isn’t looking for a relationship—and certainly not ready to take on a child.

But when Ford shows up on her doorstep, desperate and overwhelmed, Andi can’t turn him away. And that’s where the fun begins. Together, they figure out how to care for little Mathilda, and as they do, their friendship naturally starts to shift into something more.

I loved how real and relatable their romance felt—especially the true-to-life moments during their intimate scenes. It made the characters even more authentic. I found myself cheering them on as they leaned on each other in unexpected ways. There were even moments when I cried right alongside them, feeling every twist and turn in their story.

This is a beautifully written, heartwarming surprise single-dad hockey romance that will hit you right in the feels. Definitely add it to your TBR list!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me the opportunity to read this book.

We love a single-dad hockey player. While it took a minute to get into, I couldn't put this down once it picked up. Not only was Ford so funny, but he was also a fresh take on an athlete, MMC - he had an actual personality. My main gripe with this book is the miscommunication, at times it was so frustrating and honestly unnecessary. However, when the banter was bantering and we were finally in the groove, Andi and Ford's chemistry was realistic and undeniable..

Overall, I liked this sequel and am excited for future additions to the series!

📖 / 3.5⭐️

Thank you to Boldwood Books through NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
#KeepingtheScore #NetGalley

Andi and Ford are a great couple. Friends who are there for each other. When an unexpected delivery arrives at Ford's door, his well organized, regimented life takes a sharp turn. Having Ani there to support develops into a solid relationship. There a fun moments, sexy ones laughter and tears with an ending I did not see coming.

What an emotional but good read.
Ford is a goalie and has many quirks and rituals.
Ford and Andi have condo's on the same floor and are good friends.
Life changes one day to interrupt all his plans..he finds he has a daughter and he is left to take care of her..alone!
Ford wants to panic, yet Andi is there to help, 2 adults who know nothing about babies, but Google and YouTube to the rescue.
Ford and Andi get in a groove and baby Tilly starts to adjust. The more time Ford and Andi are around each other, the chemistry grows.
Ford must adjust his strict life for baby Tilly but he loves his baby girl. Andi who never wanted kids, finds how much she cares and loves Tilly too.
When life takes a turn with Tilly, Ford and Andi take ahold and make Tilly their priority and being a family.
Ford never thought he would ever have a chance at a family, but he loves his life of family and hockey.

A hockey romance and single parent? Count me in! There was never a dull moment reading this. The beginning was a bit slow, but the more I read, the more I couldn’t put it down.

We immediately get Ford’s point of view, and let me tell you, this man and his inner thoughts had me laughing out loud. His dress sense was also great – most books feature men in bland clothes, but Ford was all about his colours and patterns, even if they didn’t match. I liked seeing a mmc who looked a bit different than the normal.
Ford’s upbringing was very different from most kids, which later caused him some struggles. However, I still loved the little bit we saw of his parents. His mother seemed to always know the right things to say.

Andi is a determined girl who knows what she wants. She may have had some struggles putting herself first, but she eventually got there. Despite all that, she still managed to care for those around her, showing them a huge amount of love. Despite all the challenges, she managed to run a whole business.

I must admit, the miscommunication between the two characters frustrated me. They both had thoughts and misconceptions about each other throughout the book but never felt comfortable expressing them openly. However, I suppose if they hadn’t held these thoughts back, the book would have been significantly shorter, and I would have disliked that more.

The author’s little twist at the end really got me. Willa deserved so much more in life than what she was dealt with.

As a side note, I would love to read an Alfie book. There was so much about him revealed in this book, and I would love to see him get his happily ever after.

Overall, it wasn’t an absolute masterpiece, but it is something I still really enjoyed reading and wanted to keep reading. I’d love to see books about the other characters we saw in this, and I hope we’ll get to see them in the future.
Happy Reading.

*Thank you BoldWood Books and NetGalley for this ARC

A soft, sweet, single dad x neighbour romance.

This was a different take on the single dad trope which I enjoyed, rather than the typical style. Following Ford Archibald, navigating his meticulously constructed life and career, to then being thrust into fatherhood -rather unexpectedly- was an interesting read, working through new struggles he had never anticipated. Andi, our FMC, is a newly divorced woman intent on living her best life now she’s not tied down. Plot twist, she falls in love with both dad and baby.

The premise had plenty of promise with sweet moments with the child, emotional baggage, and a slow-burning proximity that should’ve sparked. But unfortunately, I struggled to connect with the characters, and the chemistry between the leads felt more lukewarm than electric.

That being said, the final plot twist was genuinely heart-wrenching and added emotional depth to the story. It felt like the narrative finally found its stride, pulling the characters into sharper focus and effectively pushing them toward growth. While I wasn’t fully invested in the romance, the twist gave the story weight and meaning, leading to a satisfying HEA that wrapped things up nicely and left me feeling warm inside.

Perfect for readers who love:
✅ Low-angst, slow-burn romance
✅ Single dad trope with sweet kid moments
✅ Quiet emotional arcs
✅ Heartfelt endings with a touch of bittersweet realism