Thank you to NetGalley and the authors for this eARC!
I have absolutely loved every book I've read from Katie Bailey, so when I saw there was a new book with a grown up "Legs" | was immediately interested! I also made sure to read Desire or Defense (which I also enjoyed!) before reading so I had Noah's backstory too!
I'm so glad I did, it made the story even more special.
There were some tough topics discussed in the book, but I think they were handled with care and consideration for people who have been through similar experiences. Please check content warnings before reading!
I enjoyed the "New Girl" vibes. Very fun banter, the chemistry between the main characters, as well as the other roommates, was great.
There was one situation that I felt didn't really have a solid closure, I would have liked more details about this particular character. Can't say more without giving away details, but I wanted to see the end result on page rather than "it was taken care of."
Excited about the future of this series!
For closed door/clean reading friends:
- Mild to moderate language (also some insinuated language)
- Steamy banter and kisses, fade to black/closed door but insinuated.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Tears prick my eyes at the overwhelming joy of watching her. The woman I love, doing what she loves. She has more passion inside of her pinky finger than most people have in their entire being...and she's all mine"

This book is truly the definition of gentle love. I literally swooned all the damn time. It was so sweet and had the perfect amount of fun banter and tension.

I absolutely adored Noah and Ally so much. Everything about this two had me swooning. I loved how they endlessly supported each other, and how protective Noah was over Ally.

Noah was so caring, understanding and patient. Knowing why he didn't want to open up nor get attached was so heartbreaking. Also, as much as I love the reformed playboy trope, I love it even more when he doesn't sleep around and isn't just a player. He was protective, and grumpy but a complete softie for Harry and Ally. And him with his nieces, complete swoon. Also, we love a man who goes to therapy. This helped as he was able to start opening up more and expressing himself.

Ally slowly getting her confidence back; in dance, in herself, and in her relationship was inspiring as we get to read about her growth throughout the story. She literally brings all the warmth and sass wherever she goes. And the way she stood up for herself in end was literally amazing.
Also her relationship with her parents was so cute. I loved how close she was with her mom, and how her parents were warm to the rest of the friend group.

Harry Styles the third was the star of the show. I mean, how could one choose not to like him?

The amazing friendship formed in this definitely tugged at my heartstrings. They were literally like a family. And the way they all strived to protect and make Ally happy was everything. Also loved how they always stood up for Noah, and how they backed him up.
I hope we get their books because everyone in that friendship group deserves happiness.

Thank you so much to the authors and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is the first book I have read by Katie Bailey & Leah Brunner, but it won't be my last because I have already downloaded I think he knows, Carter and Lana's story! That sentence should express how much I really, really loved this book. Noah and Ally are both great characters and a wonderful couple you will cheer for. There are some triggers in this book, so please take those into consideration and only read this book if you don't have this trauma in your past. The writing and the story in this book are both exceptional. Very strong 5 stars!

Such a fun read! New Girl vibes with roommates to lovers, amazing side characters and a slow burn that kept me hooked! I can’t wait for the next book!

Thank you to Katie Bailey, Leah Brunner, and NetGalley for my free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

After a life-changing incident, Allegra flees Georgia and her dance program, moving to San Francisco, where her friend Fisher offers her a room in his penthouse.

Noah, Fisher’s teammate and roommate, isn’t thrilled about the unexpected new addition. Hockey is his entire focus—he can’t afford to be distracted by his gorgeous new roommate… but of course, he is.

When Noah notices Allegra is uncomfortable at a party, his protective side kicks in, and soon they’re bonding over trauma. Their walls slowly come down, and sparks fly.

I really loved this book. Allegra is such a great FMC - soft on the outside, but with such strength inside. I loved the scenes of her working at the dance school, offering encouragement to the students. In a world known for being harsh, her positivity really stands out. I was really happy that she had a positive relationship with her parents, considering her mom to be her BFF. I've read too many mean mom stories lately, and it was refreshing to see a loving mother-daughter duo.

Noah is everything a woman could want. He's closed off enough to be a little mysterious, but willing to open himself up to Allegra because he trusts her. He is protective but not overbearing. He is always watching Allegra, so he can eliminate any situation in which she feels uncomfortable. He supports her returning to dance because he sees her passion and talent. Plus he's handsome, rich, and an amazing kisser - basically perfect.

My absolutely favorite part of the book is the found family vibes! From matching Halloween costumes to reality TV binges, I wanted to move into the penthouse and be part of their crew.

If you’re looking for a heartwarming, swoony (not spicy) sports romance, Rookie Season is a must!

For fans of: 🏠 Roommates to lovers | 🌞 Grumpy x sunshine | 👥 Found family | 🏒 Hockey romance | 💃 Dance romance

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (4.5/5 stars)

This was a delightful ice hockey meets dancer, grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity/ roommates, enemies to lovers read. Basically it had all of the very best romance tropes to hook you in and keep you wanting more. Ally and Noah were just perfect together, and seeing their romance develop while they both deal with their own trauma was heartwarming and cosy. Seeing how protective he was of her, was swoony.

I loved the background characters such as Penn and Fisher (Fishy), and felt like they really added to the love and laughter in the story. It was such a feel good read, that was so sensitive to some tough subjects such as SA and grief. I really loved this story and can’t wait to read more from the universe.

A fun second gen story for these two authors, you do not need to have read their previous books in any way to enjoy this one (but you might find it fun to see characters you know thriving now). I enjoyed this book quite a bit, but feel it important to warn that readers should read the content warnings at the start because there are some sensitive subjects dealt with in this book (handled well, and I appreciate that their characters have backstories that are constructed well). I especially loved the found family the 3B roommates create within their apartment, and on the ice. The way they always have each other's back is well written and something to aspire to in real life.

This book was so much fun! Noah and Allegra both have trouble opening up to people around them, but when they unexpectedly become roommates, feelings neither of them anticipated spark. I love the care taken with both Noah and Allegra's baggage, giving it due weight but not weighing the story down. Great closed-door hockey romance!

I LOVED this book! I love Leah Brunner and Katie Bailey and watched Netgalley for weeks for this book and it lived up to the hype! I read this one super fast. I loved Noah and Alley and Harry Styles the Third. I loved all the characters that came through from Leah and Katie's previous books. This was a great read! I can't wait for more books from the Boys for Loft 3B!

Noah and Allegra are both second-generation characters from Leah Brunner's and Katie Bailey’s earlier work. While the story can be read as a standalone, I would have preferred to read more about the 1st generation characters.

Allegra and Noah’s slow-burn, forced-proximity romance gives some great tension. Their witty banter, attraction, and walls falling down made the romance addictive. Noah and Allegra are magnetic from the start and the roommate trope really helps build that connection and causes some curious scenes. Sharing a loft with three rookie NHL players—helps build the found-family trope. The protectiveness of these men. Chefs kiss.

There are some difficult themes in this book when it comes to tbe characters past. It was frustrating that this didn’t seem to be dealt with throughly and was just there to create a more dramatic picture.

The romance remains firmly in closed-door territory. I wanted more open-door and craved seeing how things unfolded in their intimate relationship.

I adored this book. I loved the plot and the characters, all of them even the side characters. Sports romance always has that aspect of finding your people and their little found family they created was so special.

Noah was your typical Broody, grumpy hockey player. He was on a mission to prove to himself and his family that he deserved to be where he was. Noah was focused on hockey but didn’t let anyone inside his world for fear of loosing them when they did. Noah wanted no distractions but unfortunately Ally was around and he just couldn’t get her out of his head. It was refreshing to see a MMC take responsibility for his mental heath and not be ashamed to share his journey with the people around him.

Ally was a little spark. Recovering from a traumatic event she decides she needs a fresh start and lands herself in a loft with 3 professional hockey players. Not only do they make her feel safe but they bring her into their world like she was always meant to be there. After embracing her feeling for Noah, Ally realises this is the key for reigniting her passion to dance.

This book deals with some heavy themes and the plot is very focused on the healing of the main characters. The romance is sweet and although the romance scenes were fade to black you could still see the chemistry and connection between Ally and Noah.

Who knew a hockey player and a dancer from two very different worlds would come together so perfectly?

I loved seeing Noah and Allegra work through their individual traumas and tragedies together as they learned to trust and confide in one another. The chemistry between them was off the charts! The first kiss was absolute perfection!

The supporting cast of characters were fun and well done. I felt like I was right alongside Penn and Fisher as they all gathered to watch reality TV, and with Cora as they danced in the studio.

The combination of Bailey and Brunner’s writing is absolutely fantastic! They have taken their worlds and entwined them so perfectly in this 2nd gen story. Phenomenal job by both.

Swoon-worthy, spicy, and full of emotional heat, Rookie Season delivers everything you want in a sports romance—and then some. It's not just about goals on the ice, but the risks we take when we let someone in, especially when we’ve got everything to lose.

Noah Downsby is living the dream. Rookie year in the NHL, laser-focused on becoming a legend, and completely unwilling to let anything—especially feelings—get in the way. But his carefully controlled world is turned upside down when Allegra “Ally” Callahan crashes into his life with her smart mouth, undeniable charm, and a rescue cat with no sense of boundaries.

Ally is a heroine with bite and heart. She's not just running from rumors—she’s rebuilding her life. Her sass hides scars, and her resilience is what makes her feel so real. Moving into a loft with three hockey players might sound like chaos waiting to happen, but it’s the perfect setup for found family, hilarious moments, and slow-burning tension that absolutely sizzles.

The chemistry between Ally and Noah is off the charts. It’s enemies-to-lovers with a modern twist: forced proximity, mutual attraction, and an emotional tug-of-war between staying guarded and giving in. And when they finally do? Fireworks. But Rookie Season doesn’t just coast on steam—it digs deeper into trust, vulnerability, and second chances, making the payoff all the more satisfying.

Plus, the supporting cast of teammates-slash-roommates adds humor, warmth, and hints of future storylines readers will be dying to follow.

This is the Next Gen book you never knew you needed... I loved Noah in Leah Brunner's DC Eagles series. And Legs (Allegra, now going by Ally) totally wormed her way into my heart in Katie Bailey's Donovan Family Series. And to have them come together in Rookie Season was absolutely BRILLIANT! Add in Penn and Fisher, and you have so much fabulous fun.

Fisher is an amazing friend to Ally, I loved how he helped her, and saved her, and was just there for her. Giving her a safe space to land, and recover. And poor Noah - he was totally bowled over by the phenomenon that is Ally. She distracts him in all the ways he's been avoiding over the years since the tragedy in his past. (Trying to avoid spoilers here, although people should really go read the origin books before diving into this one).

I loved how Noah and Ally connected. How they supported each other, and helped each other to heal, and grow. And I loved how all the roommates developed the friendship they did.

This book sucked me in. I loved every minute, and I was sad to see it end. And yet, I'm super excited at the idea of seeing Fisher and Penn get their HEA's as well.

I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley, LBP LLC & Eleventh Avenue Publishing Inc. and am voluntarily leaving a review.

🏒ARC review🏒

Rookie season by @authorkatiebailey
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sweet. No spice. But so much love and growth. Ally has been through so much and finally found friends and a man who would do anything to protect her. This man just wants her to be the lost confident self and do the things she loves. I had tears in my eyes through most of this and I loved every minute of it 💥

Aaah i LOVED this so much. It was such a cute, easy read. It was slow burn, tension, hockey romance, roommates to lovers.

Really well written and so much fun!

4.5 stars. Oh I adored this book! Y’all, what a treat it was. Depth and sweetness and banter and comedy… all rolled up in a dance/ hockey/ roommate romance that was altogether delightful.

I didn’t realize going in that this was a second gen story- so I screamed at the connection to the authors other books! For anyone who has read Leah & Katie’s other works, you’re in for a treat. (And if you haven’t, this will make you want to.)

I’m just so happy this is going to be series, because I’m dying for more with this cast of characters.

4.25⭐️
This book was just delightful, I enjoyed every minute of reading this!

Allegra moves from Georgia to San Francisco to escape a trauma that occurred. She moves in with a college acquaintance and his 2 teammates. Noah is one of those roommates, he is starting his rookie season and wants to prove himself, which means no distractions. Especially from beautiful sunshine roommates.

If you liked the tv show New Girl, I think you will love this book. These hockey boys are so funny and so much fun. I love their immediate love for Ally and their friendship with her and with each other.

I loved the relationship between Noah and Ally. I loved his grumpiness and her sunshine, I loved, despite his best efforts, he really let her under his skin. I loved how he became her safe space and in return she gave him the space to open up more.

The tension between Ally and Noah was so good! It sizzled off the page and it kept me turning pages.

Please check CW before reading this. Ally was the victim of a sexual assault, it happened off page but is an important part of Ally’s journey in this book. These authors handled this topic with such care but please take care of yourself when reading.

I loved this book and can’t wait for more of this series. Thank you to Katie Bailey, Leah Brunner and Netgalley for my arc of this book. Rookie Season is out today and it is a must read!

Such a fun and heartfelt hockey romance, I binged it in a single sitting!!! The found family and roommate vibes reminded me of New Girl, and the collaboration between the authors really shined. Noah gave total Garrett Graham energy, sweet, caring, and patient, and I adored the dynamic with Ally, Penn, and Fisher. Tender, charming, and emotional, this book felt like a warm hug. The mix of humor and vulnerability kept me grinning one moment and tearing up the next. I also loved how seamlessly this story tied into the next generation of characters, giving longtime fans an extra layer of depth. The chemistry felt natural, the banter was spot on, and it’s a romance I’ll definitely be recommending. A definite favourite, even if a couple of moments kept it from a full 5 stars

Omg loved this book. I Also loved these characters and their chemistry. I don’t know if this is the first time these authors have ever done anything together but they knocked it out of the park! I can’t wait to read the next books in the series once they come out!