If you love sports romance you need to read Sweet Thing!

Adeline Kershaw had returned to Chicago so she could be around for her dad’s probable final season playing hockey for the Chicago Rebels after touring Europe to get away from her crush on her father’s teammate Lars Nyquist. But Addy never thought that she would asked to be the temporary nanny for Lars’ surprise daughter Mabel after the mother dropped her off with him at a bar and left.

Lars never thought he would be falling in love with his nanny Adeline since she was the daughter of his teammate and best friend Theo and he knows that he should shut it down since he was older than Addy but he had to admit that they were creating a family together with Mabel.

If you want to read about Addy’s parents Theo and Elle Kershaw their story is Instacrush about all of the Chicago Rebels.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4 stars, 2.5 spice.

I cannot believe this is my first Kate Meader book but I am over the moon with the fact I have an entire back catalog of her books to now go and devour.

Lars, I'll be honest, Lars Nyquist, the name wasn't my favourite, but it is very on brand for a scandi ice hockey player, so I get it. Lars is your typical brooding, grumpy, drop dead gorgeous, hockey player. Best friends and part of the star defensive Rebels duo with Theo Kershaw. Known ladies man.

Adeline, three brothers and a much, much younger sister, daughter of the iconic Theo Kershaw, quiet one of the family. Very self conscious and unaware of her impact on everyone around her.

Adeline returns from travelling overseas with her bestie earlier than expected due to feeling unsafe after a mugging. Goes to see her dad after his game at the local hockey hangout, where she sees her long time crush and dads teammate, Lars. During this reunion, Lars' one night stand from roughly 16 months prior rocks up and drops a bombshell at his feet and hoofs it out of there. Literally, a little cutie bombshell, named Mabel.

Lars' world is rocked, now a single dad overnight, unsure how to make it all work, Adeline steps up and volunteers to nanny whilst she figures out her next moves. Problem solved.

Only Lars and Adeline fight their feelings, then fall into their feelings and thereafter deal with the fallout of their feelings. Their relationship doesn't just affect them, it affects the Kershaws and the Rebels!

Side note: Vicki is a waste of space and I hate that she just dropped Mabel off with Lars, a complete stranger, and disappeared. Poor little Mabel.

Overall, loved this book. There was great chemistry, the spice was top notch and we always love hearing tidbits from the side characters knowing we'll be reading their story soon!

I really enjoyed reading this book and I really wanna read more by this author now.
The beginning of the book was already really intriguing and the pacing was great from start to finish. I also really loved that the cast of characters was really diverse but they’re just brought into it casually and it didn’t feel forced like in some other books. I also really loved the characters, their dynamic was really realistic but also like perfect. When I first read the Nickname “sweet thing” I found it kind of weird but as it went on I really liked it, I also loved that we had a Nickname switch up between “ankelini” and “sweet thing” so it didn’t feel repetitive.
I was also dying at the quote “ then we have to make sure he doesn’t find out” I was screaming.

There were some things I didn’t like though and that could be possible spoilers so I wouldn’t read this part it you haven’t read the book yet.

One thing that really gave me the ick was when they mentioned that Addie basically raised Tilly. Like what do you mean. I am kind of sensitive when siblings as kind of parents are mentioned, so maybe it wasn’t that deep but I just can’t deal with things like these.

I am also not really a fan of Elle maybe that will change when I read her book but I felt like they only had their breakup because of her and she was just an asshole at that point so I don’t know if I should like her or not.

This is book one in the Chicago Players series. I love all hockey romances, but when you add in a single dad and a nanny, I am completely hooked. I read this one late into the night because I could not put it down.

Lars is trying to escape the shadow of his father, who left a stain on his reputation in the hockey world. His life revolves around hockey, and there is no room for distractions. One night, he is stunned to learn he has a daughter when a woman he had a one-night stand with shows up at the bar and leaves their little girl with him.

Adeline has had a crush on Lars for years, but since he is her dad’s teammate and a close family friend, he has always been off-limits. When Lars needs help caring for his baby girl, she steps up because she does not want to ruin her father’s final hockey season. Moving in to be Mabel’s nanny, she does her best to ignore her feelings.

Lars and Adeline grow closer as they care for Mabel, and eventually, their connection leads them to the bedroom. Knowing they cannot tell anyone without risking the team’s stability, they agree to keep it a secret. When the truth finally comes out and everything falls apart, they have to decide whether their feelings are worth the fallout.

I loved watching Lars grow into such a caring and devoted father despite his toxic upbringing. Adeline is the most selfless person, and she deserves far more than she allows herself to believe. Their love story is one I will definitely read again.

If you are looking for a romance about a hockey star who discovers he is a dad and falls for his family friend’s daughter as the nanny, this is the perfect pick. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the chance to read this book.

This is a four star hockey single dad romance novel that I got to have a advanced copy of thanks to Netgally, the publishers and the author Kate Meader.. This new novel releases Tuesday July 15th 2025.

Lars plays professional and is off his playboy ways; especially when a passed hook up who is a married women comes into the bar his teammates and him go too and drops the baby in his hand saying see ya it's not my husbands kid.

Adeline just got back early from traveling the country with her best friend bringing a traumatic feeling back with her. She got mugged and no one but her best friend knows. Her dad and brother play on Lars hockey team. Her dad and lars are best friends. Adeline needs a part time job until she finds the full time one she wants. She is good with kids and babies so her parents volunteered her to help Lars out.

This is a cute found family. Lars and Adeline have wonderful fun chemistry and they fight their attraction for one another a lot, but the heart wantd what it wants. They have the up and downs and if they can make it through their downs they can make it through everything.

Book Trope:
Single Dad
Hockey Romance
Age Gap
Found Family
Grumpy/ Sunshine

“Alexa add Sweet Thing to my Blood Lines by Alex Warren Playlist!”

This book was just what I needed to get me out of a slump. It’s an easy going hockey romance with an age gap and forbidden love. There’s just something about reading about a man just finding out he’s got a child out of the blue that makes me all happy inside. I think I really like seeing how they develop and grow from being this single man with no responsibilities to a single dad who now has another person to look after. Seeing Lars grow when learning how to look after Mabel was my favourite thing about this book. The found family in this book is exactly what the found family trope should be like. I just love how they all rallied together when Mabel turned up and Lars was not left behind at all without any backup.
This is the first book I’ve read from this author but I will definitely be catching up on Theo & Ellie’s Story as well as looking out for future books in this series.

i absolutley loved reading this book. when i first went into this i was immedietly drawn into the single dad and the sense of found family within this book. i loved the relationship between lars and adeline and i also loved how even though it was an age-gap trope the auther didn't mention it a lot. it was very interesting to see the progression of adeline's crush on lars become something more.

thank you netgalley and the author for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

"Sweet Thing" by Kate Meader isn't just a good hockey romance; it's a captivating story that sinks its hooks in from the very first chapter. The draw isn't solely the main love interests of Adeline, the young and vibrant FMC, and Lars, the seasoned professional hockey player MMC. The author beautifully crafts a compelling supporting cast that elevates the entire narrative. The dynamic between Adeline and Lars is undeniably charming, brimming with a sweetness that balances the heat. What truly resonates is the profound sense of found family Lars discovers within Adeline's close-knit family. This heartwarming element, the comfort and potential belonging so palpable in their interactions, adds a layer of emotional depth that exceeds typical romance tropes. I was so engrossed in this world, and in Adeline's parents own love story that it immediately prompted me to download the preceding series, Elle and Theo's story, to see where the "Great Love Story...Trademark" all started. Meader has crafted more than just a romance; she's built a world worth revisiting, and I'm already eager to delve deeper.

Hockey? Tropes galore? Past traumas? Yes, please!
Sweet Thing by Kate Meader is a sizzling new hockey romance that checks all the boxes: witty banter, emotional depth, steamy moments, and a satisfying HEA.

The story centers on two strong-willed characters navigating love, healing, and high-pressure careers on and off the ice. While fans of Meader’s Chicago Rebels series will recognize some familiar faces, this book stands perfectly on its own—making it a great entry point for new readers (like me!).

One fun discovery: on katemeader.com, you can browse her books by your favorite tropes—an absolute dream for romance readers looking for their next perfect match.

If you’re into sports romance with a bit of angst, heat, and heart, Sweet Thing is a must-read. And once you finish, you’ll probably be diving into Meader’s backlist like I did!

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“The best path is the one I choose for myself. And I choose you.” Lars, hackynplayer for the Rebels, just has found that he has a daughter. Adelaine is back sooner than expected from her year trip around the world with her friend Rosie. She seems like the best solution to help Lars with the baby. Except for her teenager crush on her, the age difference between them, the importance of the relationship inside and outside the ice between Lars and Adeline’s father and so on for them to be more. But the heart wants what the heart wants. A great love story. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.

Sweet Thing is book #1 in a new series by Kate Meader called Chicago Players, a follow up series from Rookie Rebels but you don’t have to read the previous series in order to enjoy this book (I do recommend reading the books since they are very good).
Adeline is the daughter of Theo Kershaw , a very famous hockey player in the Chicago Rebels team so having a crush on one of his teammate is the last thing she needs especially since he is over a decade older than her and also one of her dad's closest friends but when Lars Nyquist overhear her say " I think you're the sexiest guy alive " the cat is out of the bag.
Adeline goes on a long overseas trip and hopes that by the time she'll get back home she'll feel comfortable being around Lard but on her first night back home Lars discovers he is a dad and the baby's mother just leaves her with him while he is out celebrating a win with his team at a bar!
Adeline parents are trying to help him since they have a lot of experience with babies and they end up convincing Adeline to be his temporary nanny.
Being in such close proximity makes the chemistry between Lars and Adeline hard to ignore and as much as they are trying to resist it's getting harder and harder.
I don't normally enjoy age gap romance but in this case, I didn't feel the age gap was too much (it's about 12-13 years) and I really loved the fact Lars and Adeline got to know one another or a personal level before being together. They had a level of trust and they told one another secrets that they didn't share with other people. I felt like their connection is much more than just chemistry but they both need to overcome fears and other issues in order to really be together as a couple.
I loved reading about Adeline's parents (their story is Instacrush) and see the special connection Theo has with her and also with Lars.
I always enjoy reading about characters from previous books, it feels like getting to meet old friends.
A great start to a new series that I can't wait to keep reading!

Sweet Thing is the first book in Kate Meader's brand new series, Chicago Players Series
Absolutely loved this book!
Very well written
Looking forward to reading other books by this author
Thanks Netgalley for letting me read this book for an honest review

Ovaries in overdrive. Superglutes’ children, woohoo! I am big time crushing on Lars. You know what they say about men and kids. Well, this ramped it up 100 times. The story is super cute and Lars and Adeline make it so. There are issues which I thought were dealt with very nicely. Not too much drama (although I do like the drama). This book had me smiling and chuckling the entire time I read it. Alright, enough gushing. If you have read any of the Chicago Rebels or spin off series then you will see our old friends. If you haven’t, pick this one up. I guarantee it will pick you up.

This was an absolutely fabulous book! I had never read anything by Kate Meader but this definitely won’t be my last book by her! It starts with Lars getting a surprise by a woman he hooked up with a while ago walking into a bar and surprising him with his baby he never knew about! Enter Addy, his best friend’s and teammates daughter becoming the baby’s new nanny. It’s forbidden and sexy with an age gap that I truly love. This was so good! The spice was spicy while also having depth and emotions so it wasn’t just pure lust and I truly believed the chemistry between Addy and Lars. Also watching Lars become a daddy was HOT, he was so unsure at first but in no time he and Mabel were so cute. The side characters were all so awesome. Rosie was hilarious and all of Addy’s brothers were so comical but you could really feel the love between them and her amazing parents. Her dad was too freaking cute! And that ending?! I just finished this one and I’m frothing at the mouth for the next book! Overall I really enjoyed this! It was fun and sexy but also not too long to where some parts dragged, it had a great pace that had me moving through it quickly! Easy 5 stars!!

Sweet Thing by Kate Meader was an absolute delight! If you're a romance reader who loves a good hockey romance but also enjoys a side of unexpected twists, this one's definitely for you. Meader delivers on all fronts, giving us a hero who's swoon-worthy on and off the ice, and a heroine who's strong, independent, and perfectly matches his energy.

The dynamic between the characters felt genuine and the difference in their ages never felt like a forced plot device, but rather a natural element of their connection.The chemistry between the leads is undeniable, sparking off the pages from their very first interaction.

If you're looking for a romance that's sweet, steamy, and packs a surprising punch, pick up Sweet Thing. You won't be disappointed!

Thanks for the ARC!

I love a single dad romance, but a single dad who doesn’t even know he’s a dad and then has to step up to the plate? AMAZING!! This book had all the best elements: a big found family, friends-to-lovers, an adorable baby girl, and someone willing to risk it all for love.
Lars’s backstory made you expect one type of guy, but the real Lars? A sweet, loyal man just looking for a place to belong. And Adeline completely stole my heart. She always felt like the “forgotten child” for not doing anything extraordinary, but she was actually the glue that held her family together. Watching Lars and Adeline fall in love? Incredible!! Talk about a slow burn! This was a great, quick read, and little Mabel just made the story even more special.

A sizzling, emotional slow-burn with all the juiciest tropes—grumpy single dad, boss/nanny tension, and just the right age-gap angst.

When hockey star Lars is suddenly left with a baby, he’s completely unprepared. Enter Adeline: smart, independent, and very much off-limits. Their chemistry is instant, and as they navigate messy boundaries, the sparks only grow.

Packed with heart, heat, and a protective hero you’ll fall for, this is a must-read for fans of steamy, high-stakes romance.

The ending also set up the next book which is always perrrrf!

Thank you Netgalley, Kate Meader & Victory editing for this ARC 🩷

3.5 ⭐️
-
Sweet Thing is a tender, slow-burn romance wrapped in themes of found family and unexpected parenthood. Lars, a stoic hockey player, is thrown into fatherhood overnight, while Addy’s no-nonsense independence challenges and grounds him. Their sizzling chemistry and witty banter make for a compelling read, though I wished for more depth in their emotional journey. Still, this was an enjoyable novel that left me eager to read more from Kate Meader.

Sweet Thing is the first book in Kate Meader's brand new series, Chicago Players Series.

Im a sucker for all books single dad (what can I say? I know the tropes I like.)

Lars, a defenseman for the Chicago Rebels, had his celebratory evening at a local bar abruptly interrupted when a past one-night stand unexpectedly left their newborn daughter in his care. Fortunately, Adeline, the remarkably mature and experienced daughter of his teammate and close friend, proved to be an invaluable solution as a nanny. Unbeknownst to Lars, Adeline had long harbored a significant crush on him, a detail he had unintentionally overheard prior to her year-long international trip. Now, having returned to Chicago and residing next door in her capacity as nanny, Adeline finds herself increasingly drawn to Lars as he navigates fatherhood, striving to manage her burgeoning infatuation despite their age difference.

Overall, I loved the story. Quick, face paced, and full of all the tropes I love.

Thank you Netgalley and Kate Meader for the advanced reader copy of Sweet Thing! I can't wait to dive into the rest of the series.

5 ⭐️
Tropes: single dad, age gap / forbidden romance, best friends daughter, hockey romance, single dad & nanny, found family, forced proximity

I have been on a single dad romance kick and this did not disappoint! I absolutely adored everything about this. It was steamy, and such a fun read - I devoured it! 😍

Lars’s life was flipped upside down when a woman he recognized as one of his one-night stands (bar hookups) came barreling back into his life and abandoned a baby girl that she claimed was his daughter. Now he was forced to be a single dad with absolutely zero clue how to be one. Lucky for him he had a village behind him and Adeline his captains daughter offering to be his live in nanny.

Lars and Adeline had off the charts chemistry and even though they tried their best to set “boundaries” they didn’t stand a chance and once the floodgates opened it was game over 🥵 She helped him learn how to be a dad and watched as he fell in love with his little girl. Which I absolutely SWOONED over!

Lars and Adeline helped each other in more ways than one; she always felt like a secondary character in her own life and her family and Lars had a dark cloud over him when it came to his past and his fathers. Both characters developed independently and over came their own issues and it fortified their bond even more which I loved so much.

This was my first book by Kate Meader and adored her writing. Im looking forward to the rest of the series! Highly recommend 😍

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.