⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

This was a fun, cutesy read that started off really strong for me. I was pulled right in and really enjoyed the beginning, but around two-thirds of the way through, my interest started to fade a little. Even though it’s fiction, I felt like Noah’s POV had a very female tone to it, which made his dialogue feel a bit unrealistic at times.

I originally thought this would lean more toward an enemies-to-lovers vibe, but it ended up being more of a love-at-first-sight story. That said, I still found myself laughing out loud plenty of times, and Fisher (or Fishy, hehe) completely stole my heart. And of course, hats off to you Harry Styles the Third!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. Overall, it was a cute and lighthearted book, perfect if you’re in the mood for something cozy.

Rookie Season
Katie Bailey & Leah Brunner
Publication date: August 21, 2025
5/5 stars

I loved this book! I am a big fan of Katie Bailey and Leah Brunner so I was very excited when I heard about this book. Noah is finally in the NHL and is not looking to be distracted by anything. He wasn’t expecting to have a new roommate named Ally who just moved to the area for a fresh start.

I loved the cross over of characters from both Katie Bailey’s books and Leah Brunner’s books. It’s fun to recognize the characters from the other books but this book can definitely be read as a standalone. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the rest of the books in this series!

Thank you Katie Bailey, Leah Brunner, LBP LLC & Eleventh Avenue Publishing Inc and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley, Katie Bailey, and Leah Brunner for this ARC! I loved this story between Noah and Allegra (with features of my new fav roommates). I have enjoyed both Leah and Katie’s writing, so it was fun to get to experience what they wrote together. Huge fan of grumpy x sunshine with the little New Girl nod. I connected with these characters a lot and it was very important to depict some of these tougher subjects. Although the love story was fluffy and sweet, their connection and what they overcame added a lot of sustenance. Dealing with grief and trauma from abuse is hard, and I think it was discussed wonderfully through being vulnerable and going to therapy. All in all, I really enjoyed this book and I loved seeing little Noah all grown up!

Rookie Season is such a cute, quick read; it has everything I love in a romance: grumpy X Sunshine, banter, and slow burn. Noah and Allegra's relationship begins rocky, with both pursuing their goals, but it blossoms into a loving and caring relationship where they lean on each other for support.

I loved all the main side characters, especially Fisher and Penn, Allegra’s other roommates. The connection formed between these four is heartwarming, and the banter among them is hilarious.

Overall, this was a fun and easy read that has some heavy context, but is overall enjoyable. I would recommend it to anyone who loves hockey romance, found family, or slow burn in their reading!

A fun read that had lovable characters and a plot that was amazing. Allegra was such a determined character, and I loved her growth and how she bonded with Noah and how protective he became of her. This book was enjoyable. The bonds and friendships that formed were so good, and I enjoyed reading how these bonds formed.

•𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰•

{𝑹𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒊𝒆 𝑺𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒏}

🏒 Release Date: August 21, 2025 🏒
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After reading almost 50% of this book, I’ve decided to call it quits. I’m just not comfortable with the spice level in this book, along with all of the language and everything else, and I know it’s only going to get worse the further I progress into the story. I really appreciated the warning at the beginning of the story, and I had decided to give it a try regardless of the warning, but I quickly realized that this book was just not for me.

As far as any thoughts I had on the actual plot of the story, well, I wasn’t loving it. The characters weren’t horrible or anything, but I just wasn’t vibing with the story and, therefore, it was starting to annoy me. I really loved the idea of Katie Bailey and Leah Brunner pairing up to write a story about two characters we’d previously read about in their respective books, but alas, this book wasn’t for me. I definitely wouldn’t say it’s a poorly written story or anything like that, though.

With all that being said, proceed with caution if you are also a reader looking to avoid language and spice in the books you read. Otherwise, have at it!
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I received a complimentary arc from NetGalley. All opinions listed are purely my own.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

4⭐️// no 🌶️

Throughout the book, the relationship between Ally and Noah shifted from reluctant roommates, to friends, to lovers. A spin on New Girl, but adding some hockey players, a dance instructor, and a cat that doesn't understand personal space and boundaries. The story was cute and very wholesome, with found family being an important part of the narrative. I enjoyed the characters, the progression of the story, and the cozy feelings this book gave. Overall it was a light read, despite a few instances in which previous traumatic experiences have happened to both Ally and Noah were discussed.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: only slight suggestions
Tropes:
* Hockey romance
* Grumpy x sunshine
* Roommates to lovers
* Forced proximity
* He’s protective and obsessed with her!
* Found family
* New girl vibes

Thank you to NetGalley, Katie Bailey & Leah Brunner, and Eleventh Ave Publishing for this eARC! I really enjoyed it!

I really liked the dual POV, which I always find to be helpful getting both of their thoughts and feelings about things. When they meet for the first time (both times 🤭) it’s so funny and cute.

As they increasingly get closer to each other and more comfortable, they have some really sweet moments where they surprise each other. And I loved how she finds a family of sorts with his sister’s family, and with Fisher and Penn. It’s nice that they aren’t trying to compete with Noah, which the author could have easily done. Instead, they protect and appreciate her!

When she opens up to Noah about a past traumatic event, I adored how he chose to be so careful but open with her. He’s so endearing and swoon worthy, and how he stands up for her in the end had me cheering him on for lifting her up and never letting someone tear down herself and her dreams!! Their HEA so beautiful; I especially loved the epilogue and squealed out loud reading it! 😍

This was an absolute fantastic book to read if you have read Leah Brunner’s D.C. Eagles series and Katie Bailey’s, I Think He Knows book.
Noah Downsby has one goal; prove to be the best right winger in the NHL. However, here comes Allegra Callahan. A distraction he never knew he needed.
Noah and Ally are everything you need in a romance book. Protective, yet gentle and soft hero. Quiet, yet tough heroin. The romance, the new characters, maybe a visit from a past character, you never know. You’ll have to read to find out. And I am excited to see what is in store in this series.


I graciously received an advance e-copy from the publisher via Netgalley to review. All opinions are my own.

This story between Noah and Ally is full of hockey and slow burn tension. If you have read any of the author's DC eagles series, there are lots of cameos from our favorite players. While this is a next generation story, it easily stands alone. It is not necessary to have read the other books in this series.

This book contains moderate language, innuendo and fade to black romance. Fans of Sarah Adams and Katherine Center will enjoy this low spice hockey romance.

This book was so fun!! New Girl-esque but imagine all the guys are professional hockey players! I loved the romance between Ally and Noah. It was soft, gentle, and understanding. The dynamics with the other roomates were really fun to read about, especially their reality tv watches. I'm so excited for more books in this series!

This book was so good and one of my favourite hockey romances to date. It gives me ‘New Girl’ vibes and I loved the relationship dynamic between the three guys and Allegra, especially once she started to wear Noah down. I think the authors do a great job of exploring deeper and dark themes in a softer way, without displaying them all over the page. This book is more of a cozy sports romance, with a lot of emotion and just all around great characters. I loved this book so much, and they did a fantastic job without having to add unnecessary plot points or action. I actually read this straight after reading ‘The Graham Effect’ for the first time, and this book rivals it. If you’re a fan of Elle Kennedy, I think you’ll absolutely devour Rookie Season.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Katie Bailey & Leah Brunner, and LBP LLC & Eleventh Avenue Publishing Inc. I am so excited to have had the chance to read the eARC of this book, and can’t wait to read more!

Thank you to NetGalley and the authors for an advanced copy of this book!

Having been a big fan of Leah Brunner for a long time, I was excited to dive into this collab story with a character from her DC eagles universe all grown up. I love that Brunner clearly gets hockey- the way she treats the players feels very authentic. The New Girl style setup in this was charming- I hope we get more of Fisher and Penn in upcoming books because they were charming as hell.

The only reason I took off half a star was because I find it weirder and weirder to read about 20 year old MMCs as I get older haha. That could be my son! But Noah was a charmer, no doubt about it.

I will definitely keep reading this series! Anything Leah writes, really, I will read

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Such a sweet hockey romance

As a fairly new reader of Katie Bailey & Leah Brunner, I was excited to see what they had in store for Rookie Season. I had previously read the parents' book to our main character Allegra, and the sister to our MMC, Noah. When I found out about the relationships between the characters I've read from both authors compared to this book, I just knew I had to read this book to see how Noah and Allegra's book was going to pan out after reading about their relatives. Although these characters are second-generation, this book can be read as a standalone.

As expected, Rookie Season was better than I expected. It was such a fun read about a hockey player and a dancer who both have experienced past trauma. Despite these traumas, both Allegra and Noah find their way to one another, and they help and understand one another.

The roommate aspect of the book was clever, and I loved that we got to see some forced proximity, which I love that trope because eventually they give in to their feelings, which they eventually do, and it's so worth it. Both characters are so strong, and they were both able to challenge one another to push past their trauma and heal. They brought out the best in each other, and I loved that they got the happy ending they deserved!

On another note, I loved the side characters, Fisher and Penn, so much that they were entertaining, and I can't wait to see if they get their happily ever after, and with whom💙

I love when we meet kids in an earlier book and later get to see them grow up and read their full story! That’s exactly the case with these two. It’s also a reminder that even kids who grow up in safe, loving environments aren’t immune to life’s challenges—trials no parent ever wants their child to face.

While you can read this book without reading the earlier ones where we first meet them, I definitely recommend starting from the beginning. Having all that background adds so much depth to their journey.

Noah has gone through life keeping everyone at arm’s length—too afraid of getting hurt or distracted from his ultimate goal.
Ally (Allegra) has been obsessed with dance since she was little and was well on her way to success—until one night she desperately wishes she could erase.

These two have endured so much, and while their experiences are different, their hearts understand each other deeply. Their outlooks complement each other perfectly. Noah is the ideal protective MMC—strong and steady, but also gentle and safe, exactly what Ally needs. And Ally softens Noah’s rough edges, helping him open up and finally let people in.

Set in San Francisco, California, NHL player Noah is focused on his first season when a new roommate unexpectedly moves in. Ally has traveled from Georgia to work as a dance instructor and start over. As sparks fly, will they let down their guards to let the other in?

I loved this new adult hockey romance! Both in their early twenties, the main characters have gone through loss and pain. As they open up to each other, it was great to see their connection growing.

Just to reiterate the author's note, this does contain moderate language and innuendo, which rang true for young 20 something professional athletes. There are also heavier themes, which I found treated with great care.

For those who have already enjoyed Katie Bailey and/or Leah Brunner, this was a delight. I loved seeing familiar faces! For those who haven't yet, I think this would be a good introduction to then check out a great backlist.

This romance features:
🏒 Slow Burn
🩰 Grumpy x Sunshine
🏒 Emotional moments and healing
🩰 Found Family
🏒 New Girl Vibes

Closed door / steamy

5 / 5 stars

Thank you to the authors and NetGalley for this eARC!

Y'all. This book is SO sweet and also has depth. When I read Desire or Defense I was so curious if we would get a Noah story when I finished the epilogue--and we DID!!!

This book gives big New Girl energy, except instead of a quirky teacher, Allegra is a dancer who abruptly moves in with a pal she met at her college with she dropped out of without telling folks what happened.

I'm not sure which New Girl character I would equate to Noah, because Nick Miller does not give pro hockey player vibes. HAHA. But we love Noah. His dark past looms over him and we all get to work through some of that together.

The other roommates in 3B are just delightful and I hope a Fisher and a Penn story are in our future.

I didn't previous know Allegra from Katie Bailey's book I Think He Knows, but I am excited to backtrack and learn more about her parents' love story.

This is a closed door romance, but it's PG-13 due to language and innuendo. I really loved the journey and was giddy and swooning most of the time.

And here's a quote from the first part of the book when Noah has not yet warmed up to Ally being one of their loft mates yet. As a Twilight lover, the picture was perfectly painted.
"His facial expression reminds me of Edward when Bella's scent wafted towards him, and he fled biology class." [chef's kiss]

This book followed Noah, an NHL rookie with a lot to prove, and Allegra, a dancer moving across the country looking for a new start. Noah didn't want distractions and wasn't happy to have her as a roommate as a result.

This was an amazing balance of heat, heart and humour. Their interactions were full of chemistry. The dancing just about melted my insides. Their back stories tugged at my heartstrings. The side characters, especially the other two roommates, were hilarious.

One can only expect good things when two amazing authors join forces. Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for an ARC. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 4.5⭐
Steam level: 2🌶️ Fade to black

It was really nice to see Noah and Allegra all grown up in this book! I really appreciated the slow burn love story between them as well as the grumpy/sunshine opposites attract feel to their relationship! I found the banter between them to be very entertaining as well. A great start to this new series.

4.5/5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Noah Downsby & Allegra (Ally, Legs) Callahan
- DuaL POV
- NHL player MMC
- Dancer, dance teacher FMC
- Sunshine & Grump
- Meet-disasters?
- Forced proximity
- Roommates
- New Girl vibes
- Found family

✨a few of my favorite things:
- Legs. I have loved her since the second I read her character in So That Happened. She gets even better with age.
- Fisher’s protective big brother-ish instincts over Ally
- The family created in Loft 3B 💕 their roommate bonding, their teasing, “puck” 😂
- Noah with his nieces
- Noah’s heart to heart with Andie, his therapist, teammates, and Ally 🥹
- Protective Noah 👏🏻 & respectful Noah
- Noah & Ally’s flirting and chemistry
- The cameos from previous characters
- Ally in his freaking jersey 🤭🤭

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Book 1 of the Hockey Boys of Loft 3B Series - As someone obsessed with New Girl, this book did not disappoint on those vibes. Ally’s attitude, personality, and legs 😉 throw Noah for a loop, especially after they have two unfortunate run ins before they know who each other are. Their chemistry is through the roof. I was often just dying for them to kiss already and their first kiss DID NOT disappoint 🤭

We get to watch as Noah wars with himself over whether or not to let Ally, or anyone, in. His character development throughout the book is heart warming and I felt myself get a little teary-eyed when he finally let people in. There was a weight lifted off of him, which allowed him to start thriving. Ally also has some deep healing that has to take place, and Noah is a huge part of her seeing the light. Noah inspires and encourages her. He even dances with her 🤭😉 a few times because dancing with him help heal parts of her she didn’t know needed healing.

Noah & Ally cheer for one another, making sacrifices to make sure one another are seen and safe 💕 I really love how they both go out of their way to show love in action.

I especially love the camaraderie and family that the boys and Ally make together. I seriously love all the characters in loft 3B and I cannot wait for more of their crazy shenanigans and jenga 😂😉

This is a new adult hockey romcom with mild language, innuendo, discussions of sex, descriptive makeouts and a quick non detailed fade to black. The authors have a content warning at the beginning of the book.

**Thank you so much to Katie and Leah for letting me read this ARC via NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy. No positive review was required. All thoughts are my own.**

Songs:
DAISIES by Justin Bieber
GRAVE by Avery Anna
Take it from me by Jordan Davis
I wanna be the one you call by Benson Boone
pov by Ariana Grande
Trouble by Camylio
Shameless by Camilla Cabello
Nonsense by Sabrina Carpenter
Hands to myself by Selena Gomez
Dangerous woman by Ariana Grande
No judgement by Niall Horan
Forever and a day by Benson Boone
Jealous by Nick Jonas
Starving by Haliee Steinfield & Zedd
Fix what you didn’t break by Nate Smith
Little bit better by Caleb Hearn & ROSIE
Think I’m gonna to love you by Michal Leah & Caleb Hearn