I have been stoked for this book ever since I saw Katie Bailey announce it on her Instagram. I have not read any of Leah Brunner's books but didn't have a hard time reading this. I thought the combination of two authors and characters from both of their books was an interesting, fun and ambitious idea. I would say the authors executed this collaboration for sure.

For those who have been comparing this to New Girl, that's totally right. I had so many New Girl vibes while reading this, it was so fun. The roommates, found family and friendship were so good. I also liked the roommates to lovers/grumpy x sunshine romance between Noah and Ally. Watching these two try to resist the pull towards one another and failing epically was delightful. I also liked how they helped each other heal from their unhealthy mental cycles. Noah and Ally were adorable and will totally steal hearts.

If you're looking for a romcom with a lot of heart, laughs and swoon, Rookie Season delivers. Can be read as a standalone.

Overcoming fear
This was a really lovely kisses only story.
It follows Noah and Allegra as they try to navigate the attraction they feel for each other whilst also being roommates and sharing their space with two other hockey players.
I loved these two characters plus their friends and family are amazing too.
A storyline full of fun but also serious at other times, with both main characters each dealing with a trauma in their lives.
A really enjoyable story that kept me interested the whole way through.
Thank you NetGalley, Katie Bailey and Leah Brunner for the opportunity to read this book.

A rookie NHL player determined to have zero distractions and a dancer trying to have a fresh start unknowingly becoming roommates? Yes, please.

“Carpe diem. Seize the hockey player”

Noah, rookie to the Lions, is focused on making the most of his opportunity to play in the NHL, but a traumatic past makes it difficult for him not to feel overly protective of the ones around him. Yet he’s determined not to have any distractions, until...

Ally, a dancer who has dropped out of college and moved to San Fran to outrun rumours is offered to stay with a friend, as long as she’s up for sharing her space with 3 professional hockey players (who wouldn’t?).

Rookie Season was giving New Girl, on a millionaire budget. It’s an interlinked plot that follows young characters from another series, which I haven’t read. Yet it didn’t make this book any less easy to follow and can definitely work as a standalone.

It is a SLOOOOW burn, with unbearable tension. Ally and Noah are avoiding each other for completely different reasons, but there’s only so much they can deny the attraction when Noah keeps finding her ‘accidentally’ wearing his jerseys.

It’s worth keeping in mind that there’s some content warnings of SA and parental deaths, but the authors manage to make the difficult pasts of each character relevant to the plot in a way that has you invested.

“His facial expression reminds me of Edward when Bella’s scent wafted towards him, and he fled biology class.”

I live for a Twilight reference.

The build-up of Ally and Noah’s chemistry is perfect. And the relationship between Noah and Ally’s cat, Harry Styles, is even better. We love a grumpy/sunshine where the grump can’t resist an adorable fluffball.

“The knowledge that the worst things that happen to us can open doors that lead to the best things.”

This would have been a 5-star read, but I felt the long build-up of tension (which I loved) came to quite an anticlimactic ending.

If you’re looking for a forced proximity slow burn, this is for you.

Thank you NetGalley and LBP LLC & Eleventh Avenue Publishing Inc. For the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Rookie Season is a fun, flirty, and heartwarming romance that had me smiling from start to finish. Katie Bailey and Leah Brunner bring great banter, emotional depth, and swoon-worthy chemistry to Noah and Ally’s story. I loved the slow burn, the found-family vibes, and how both characters grew together. It is the perfect mix of sports romance and emotional connection. I thoroughly enjoyed it and gave it five stars.

My review will be posted to my Instagram @away.with.the.smut.faeries around the last week of August due to posting schedule and as it will close to the release date.

I'm giving this a solid 3.75 star.

The only reason I'm knocking .15 off is because I felt like there was alot of filler which made it hard to want to keep reading. Otherwise, I loved it! I thought the charecters were well fleshed out and the two main charecters were perfect for one another. The storyline was ok, I would have liked to see more if the conflict and resolution of the bullying our MMC was at the receiving end of .

4’3/5⭐️ First of all, thank you to NetGalley and the authors for an arc of “Rookie season”. This book was so cute!! I absolutely adored all the main characters in this story, hopefully the next books will be about Penn’s and Fishy’s stories 👀🖤 There are a lot of romance books out there between a hockey player and a ballerina, but two main aspects I really enjoyed about this book specifically were; the way Ally’s and Noah’s past traumas and current anxieties were treated and the fact that there was no smut. That’s a personal preference, but i usually enjoy more romance books without it. I loved how both of them complemented each other, and Harry too, so cute 🥹🖤 I definitely recommend this book, it was such a heartwarming read 🩷

So I read Rookie Season, and let me tell you—it was such a fun ride! This was my first time reading anything by Katie Bailey and Leah Brunner, and I really enjoyed their writing style. It was light, charming, and flowed so effortlessly that I flew through the book in no time.
This story gave off major New Girl vibes! If you’re into quirky, lovable female leads living with a group of chaotic (but endearing) guys, you’re going to fall hard for this one. The group dynamic—especially between Ally and the boys—felt genuine, hilarious, and heartwarming. While the slow-burn romance between Ally and Noah was super satisfying, the real heart of the story was in the friendships. I adored the found family energy so, so much!
Although the book touches on heavier topics (TW for past off-page SA), the tone remains uplifting and sweet throughout. It handles emotion with care while keeping the story feel-good and comforting—like a cozy hug in book form.
Perfect for fans of new adult sports romance, especially if you love hockey players, snarky banter, grumpy x sunshine dynamics, and wholesome roommate chaos.

I really enjoyed getting to read this book, it had that romance element that I was wanting and enjoyed in this type of book. The overall storyline worked in this sports concept and how it uses the romance element that I was looking for. The characters were everything that I was looking for and enjoyed getting into Noah and Ally's world. Katie Bailey & Leah Brunner wrote this so well and was glad I got to read this.

Katie Bailey and Leah Brunner writing a book together was not on my bingo card for this year, but I'm so, so glad they got together to give us this gem of a book.

It's always fun to see cameos of characters from books you love, but I've always loved seeing second generation characters grow up and get their own stories just as much, if not more.

Allegra Callahan and Noah Downsby are all grown up and find themselves living together with two of Noah's hockey teammates, and hilarity ensues. The dynamic of the four roommates is so much fun, and will have you kicking your feet and giggling.

One thing that stood out to me about this book was how real it was. The authors didn't shy away from the hard, gritty side of life. Instead, Katie and Leah embraced the realness and the struggle of life, showed how people can heal, and delivered a story full of heart and authenticity.

Ally and Noah's relationship was sweet and fun, and their chemistry was impeccable. I loved watching them slowly gain each others trust and realize they could lean on each other. Noah was a fantastically guarded MMC with the softest inside. I loved all his interactions with Harry Styles III and Noah's begrudging love for the cat. Ally was soft and sweet and more than a little spooked, but the boys in 3B were the sweetest antidote to her fears.

Overall, a very fun, very sweet story with a depth you don't see as often in romcom-esque books. I appreciated that there was plenty of heat and chemistry without any of the explicitness. This was really well aligned with the spice level I prefer.

General Notes
Romance: Fade-to-black between a married couple, frequent innuendo/suggestive
Language: Medium (with frequent use of "puck" as a replacement for the f-word)
Violence: Mild
Content/Triggers: Sexual assault (off-page), loss of parents (off-page), paternal abandonment (off-page)

I love both of these author’s individually; but together they knock it out of the park

Noah Downsby has always had one goal: play professional hockey. Now that he’s finally made it, he’s determined to prove himself. And if he’s going to have the best rookie season in NHL history, he needs zero distractions.
But Noah didn’t plan for Allegra—Ally—Callahan moving in with him.
With her sassy smile, smart mouth, and bad habit of ‘borrowing’ his jerseys—nevermind her stupid cat who won’t stop sleeping in his bed—one thing’s for certain:
Ally is officially a distraction.

I absolutely loved both of the characters and the trauma/struggles they dealt with made them extremely raw and relatable. The way the authors wrote them made them feel 3 dimensional which was so enjoyable (and impressive). The plot was great but also emotional while at the same time provided comedic elements that had me laughing out loud.

My only complaint is that at times it was a little too repetitive and started to drag in the middle but then wrapped up really fast. I also didn’t need the epilogue. I will however read more in this series and look forward to doing so!

I love a good hockey series and this one is shaping up to be a new favorite. Grumpy Noah, a rookie NHL player is all about keeping his head down and having a successful first year in pro hockey. But his roommate and teammate invites an old friend to stay with them and thus enters Allegra, a gorgeous dancer trying to find her way in the world. Both Ally and Noah are dealing with some trauma, but are instantly drawn to each other. Noah fights it grumpily, but their journey coming together is filled with adorable banter, a cute cat, and honestly the best four roommates. Such a joy to read and I look forward to reading the rest in the series!

I was so excited to read this ARC, and I’m genuinely grateful to NetGalley for the chance to read it early. This was my first read from both Katie Bailey and Leah Brunner, and I have to say that I really enjoyed their writing! It was fun, sweet, and flowed in a way that made this such a quick, enjoyable binge. At only 266 pages, it’s a fast-paced read you could for sure finish in one sitting.

This story gave major New Girl vibes! If you’re a fan of that show, this book is absolutely for you. If you love the energy of a quirky, lovable girl living with a group of guy roommates who are a little chaotic but feel like a real, warm friend group, then you’re going to adore this.

The whole dynamic, especially between Ally and the guys, felt light, funny, and just so lovable. I genuinely enjoyed how tight-knit and supportive they all were. Even though there’s romance brewing between the characters, the real magic was in how everyone cared for each other.. opening up, getting vulnerable, and still keeping that playful, chosen-family vibe. I loveddddddd everything about that!

As for the emotional side, yes, there are heavier themes mentioned (TW for past sexual assault, off-page), but nothing ever felt overwhelmingly heavy. The story handled things with care while still keeping the overall tone feel-good and hopeful. It was like riding a little emotional roller coaster, but the kind that leaves you smiling deeply at the end.

I’d recommend to anyone looking for a sweet, fast-paced new adult sports romance :) especially if you’re a sucker for hockey players, snarky banter, grumpy x sunshine, and cozy roommate dynamics!!

This book was sweet and super easy to read!

I will always love a New Girl-esque loft situation and I love Ally and Noah, they make perfect sense together.

Thank you to Victory Editing and NetGalley co op for the opportunity to read this title.
This was such a beautiful book and it was very sensitively written. It discussed some very delicate and challenging topics with care and respect.
The characters were believable and had a great depth to them. The story progressed at a good pace and every chapter felt relevant and succinct. There is no spice in this book and even though I read a lot of darker romance, I didn’t find myself missing it at all. I think because of the topics raised and the story itself being so complete, it gave me everything I wanted.
I enjoyed reading this book immensely and I am already looking forward to reading more from 3b

I have read & so enjoyed Katie Bailey books & Leah Brunner books, but a book written by them together - just yes! This one was so fun, swoony & sweet. Ally is looking for a fresh start (see tw/cw note at the front of the book) and ends up moving to San Francisco & being the roommate of three professional NHL players, one of whom, Noah, is extremely grumpy about her being his roommate - although is it grumpy or denial of feelings? Either way, this story had the sweetest unfolding of events & relationship and had many swoony moments that had me giggling! If you adore NA romances they are closed door but still have all the swoon, this is for you! Highly recommended & can't wait to read more in this world!!

My Quick Takes:
- 5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Language 🤐 frequent mild/moderate
- Spice ❤️‍🔥 heating kissing
- Content 🤔 past attempted sexual assault, past death of parents, innuendo

My favorite hockey romance to date. Binged this in two sittings! The vibes were there, the emotions were there. It hit all the right things for me.

If you like the show New Girl (one of my faves), you will love this book. It’s a great roommate/friendship/found family dynamic. I really enjoyed that juxtaposed with the added depth that comes from two different series coming together in the next “generation” of characters.

I’ve read books by both authors and this is the first of either of theirs I’ve rated a 5 star. I love this collaboration and storyline, both authors shined. I had equal parts tearing up and silly grinning throughout, just really loved all of it.

Ally drops out of college and moves across the country to work as a dance teacher. Noah, an NHL rookie, is not pleased to have Ally as a new roommate. He does not need any distractions (and she is definitely a distraction).

I really liked this one. It was very cute. I liked that there was still romantic tension while being a closed door/fade to black romance.

This book was so cute, I loved the chemistry between Ally and Noah and even though it was a slow burn, the friendship made the relationship so much better! I love how Noah helped Ally regain some of her confidence back after what happened to her! I also loved the new girl vibes of the loft! A great read!

Noah has one plan (and one plan only): crush his rookie NHL season, stay focused and avoid distractions at any cost. That’s until Allegra moves in with her sassy one-liners and questionable snack choices at least. Oh, and she keeps “accidentally” stealing his jerseys. So yeah… distraction? Activated ✨

Allegra isn’t chasing attention, she’s looking for a reset. After a messy start, moving to the other side of the country seems like the only option, but living with three hockey players in a luxury loft? Unexpected. Especially when one of them is a silently sexy grump that makes her heart race…

What starts with sharp banter, quickly turns into something neither of them planned for, but when the past starts creeping in, both Noah and Allegra will have to decide if they’re ready to risk it all!

‘Rookie Season’ by Katie Bailey and Leah Brunner is a slow burn hockey romance with all my favorite tropes: forced proximity? Check. Emotional healing? A lot. One bed? Okay fine, maybe not that one… but the tension?!

As someone who loves hockey romances, I dearly recommend ‘Rookie Season’, whether you’re just getting into the genre or already deep in the hockey-book trenches! This one has all the charm, all the chemistry (and heart) that make me so excited about them. Did I already tell you it’s sweet, but still a little sharp around the edges?! Well… now you know for sure 😅

As always, a special thanks to the authors Katie Bailey and Leah Brunner, Victory Editing, and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read and review ‘Rookie Season’ before it’s official publication on August 21st. All opinions expressed are my own

This was super cute! I liked Noah and Allegra's blossoming relationship, and how their care for one another pulled them out of unhealthy mental cycles. I particularly loved how specific and kind Noah was when he complimented Ally once they turned the corner from roomies to dating-such a sweet boyfriend! The roommate dynamic (4 in the loft) was also superb, and the cameos from Brunner and Bailey's other books were great fun.