This is forbidden romance done right. Sadie is Leo’s coach, and yes, that dynamic could have gone very wrong, but it never does. Livy Hart expertly navigates that line with care, intention, and emotional depth, making you fully root for Sadie and Leo every step of the way. It feels earned, respectful, and deeply satisfying.

This is also a true grumpy/sunshine pairing. Leo is absolutely not thrilled to be chatted up by Sadie or casually befriended by her at first, which makes their dynamic even better. The attraction is there immediately, but this is a slower burn, letting the tension, trust, and emotional connection build in a way that feels authentic and swoon-worthy.

And the banter? Elite. Top-tier. Livy Hart knows exactly how to make you swoon and laugh out loud. I was genuinely cracking up during multiple moments. Those perfectly timed lines that sneak up on you and make you grin like an idiot.

One of my favorite things about Livy’s books is the family element, and Dirty Hit delivers. Bringing in Leo’s twin siblings and family was such a sweet, grounding touch that added so much heart to the story. It made Leo feel fully formed and deeply lovable.

I also loved the team arc in this book. Watching a fractured hockey team slowly come together under Sadie’s patient, thoughtful coaching was incredibly satisfying. Seeing them grow into a real team that learns to trust and rely on one another added real emotional weight and depth to the story.

The side characters? MAIN CHARACTER ENERGY. Every single one of them. Assistant coach and BFF extraordinaire Vivi absolutely stole scenes, and I am begging for her to get her own book. There are so many standout hockey players on this team, and I am fully seated for stories about all of them. Please and thank you.

Dirty Hit has everything you adore from Livy Hart:
✨ top tier banter
✨ chemistry that jumps off the page
✨ laugh out loud moments
✨ heartfelt family dynamics
✨ a hockey romance that truly delivers

Livy Hart is officially in her hockey romance era, and I am HERE for it. This is hockey romance done right. Please let this be a series because I am ready for another one immediately!

Thank you to Entangled publishing for the eArc. All opinions are my own.